Review by Paul Sabin for MPM
Having moved on from dismissing Spike from the band and all the pain that went with The Quireboys name, the remaining members have now drawn a line under that era and returned with a new name and new outlook on their music.
This new release includes collaborations with many of their musical peers which shows that these boys are heavily respected.
First track, `Lie To Me’ dos not set out to change the world and is a classic Quireboys style piano led romp featuring Keith weir on keys and Lee Vernon on harmonica. `Foolin’ Yourself’ continues in the same vein and sees Steve Conte and Kyf Brewer from Company of Wolves join in the fun here.
`Medicine’ takes a slightly different path in this slower, country rock-tinged affair. This time aided and abetted by Buckcherry’s Josh Todd and Stevie D. The country flavour continues with the incredibly harmonious `Autumn Reigns’ replete with Weir’s Hammond providing a backdrop to the vocal of Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke.
The star of the album is of course, the title track and as such we get an A list vocalist here in the form of Joe Elliott. Paul Guerin kicks ass with some great melodic guitar work which is bolstered by Ryan Roxie (Alic Cooper) in this seventies glam rock ditty. We return to familiar territory with `Don’t Put Me In The Corner’ which is a straight-ahead raunchy rocker filled with the gritty warm vocal tones of Guy Griffin.
Those of you who know ex White Lion vocalist, Mike Tramps solo work will appreciate his efforts on `True Colours’ as he digs deep and gives his heart and soul to this track. Next up with have a cover of the Mink Deville classic, `Savoir Faire’ which does not disappoint as Chris Johnstone guests on the piano here.
More classic tones leap out from `Dig Me Out Of This Hole’ as Guerin works his slide guitar, the Hammond organ wails and singalong chorus’ abound. Tempo slows back to a country pace with `So Glorious’ as Dan Reed takes a more relaxed turn at the helm.
We end the album with a strings filled `Can’t Put Your Arms Around A Memory’ which finishes thing off in a calm sedate manner.
What apparent here is that The Quireboys was never just about a charismatic, larger than life frontman but what was behind him was a bunch of highly skilled, talented musicians who love their craft. These guys, with the aid of some great guest stars have now stepped into the light and have proved they can lay down some of the best grassroots rock in the world with no airs and graces or fuss, just pure seventies-tinged rock n roll.
Here’s to album number two!
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