Review by Ritchie Birnie for MPM
We have a review I never thought would come around but after 32 years Little Angels are finally back. I am sure the fans would have been happy with just the tour but with a double whammy all we can say is thank you.
The EP opens with “All for One” and it feels as familiar as your favourite washed out joggy bottoms you refuse to throw out.
It opens with a well known keyboard roll from Jim before brother Bruce takes over and we are smack dab in the middle of a Little Angels wheelhouse. it is catchy and is as funky as the 90s version of the band.
Track two is the lead single that also sounds very familiar. The boys give a nod to the past and none of that brilliant songwriting that brought them to the top of the charts before they disappeared is missing. Old fans will love it, new fans will pay attention and I can honestly see this song being played on mainstream radio.
We are getting right into the swing of things and it truly feels like the band has never been away. On “Small Town” we have that unique L.A song building. The layers are placed like brick on brick of a house. It goes full on Who and this could fit perfectly on the soundtrack Tommy.
There is no doubt that this is Little Angels and it is awesome to have new tunes all these years later…especially when they are this good.
You have to wonder how a band approaches coming back after so many years. Do you try to recapture where you were with a band that has gone their own way and have since aged appropriately.
The boys have shied away from doing what they did but held onto enough of the magic to make this all worthwhile…and talking of worthwhile track four and five is where the band explodes out of the past and fire us into the here and now.
“You Want Love” is a stunning song and finds Toby in his best form since this band’s heyday. You also have to applaud how this band have clicked right back into the swing of things with ease. The song takes on a real jam feel(not the album) and I bet the band loved letting loose on this one and it single-handedly amped up my anticipation for the tour to all new levels.
Final track “Raised to the Ground” is the standout for me. It has that high tempo deep rocking vibe and is just pure adrenaline. Mark Richardson is let loose here as is Bruce and this is sheer enjoyment of which Toby accentuates with his trademaked scream.
Today is a good day people. Little Angels are back and any worries that I had that things were not going to be like they were before were gone in a wisp of guitars, keyboards and horns. If as rumoured “Big, Bad and Back is the bridge to a full album I for one am ready to pay the toll. Now bring on the tour.
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