Friday 24 February 2012

ALBUM REVIEW: UFO - SEVEN DEADLY


UFO’s 21st studio album 'Seven Deadly' represents a return to the classy hard rock sound upon which their reputation was originally founded. Line-up stability has paid dividends with a solid release that is full of top tunes that stay in your head right from first play, foot stomping opener 'Fight Night' being a prime example. The rocking 'Wonderland' showcases Phil Mogg's voice, as distinctive as ever, whilst the blues tinged 'The Last Stone Rider' features another classic guitar riff and a great chorus, underpinned by Paul Raymond's classic hard rock keyboard textures. Guitarist Vinnie Moore is prominent throughout, his playing both melodic and bluesy. On 'Burn Your House Down' he lays down some breathtaking lead breaks reminiscent of his early virtuoso period. UFO are back on true form with an album that is essential listening!

Christopher Franklin



Monday 6 February 2012

ALBUM REVIEW: VAN HALEN - A DIFFERENT KIND OF TRUTH


The essence of VH past was a ‘joie de vivre’, an attitude that the music be uplifting, sometimes left-field and quietly fun. So can ‘A Different Kind Of Truth’ deliver enough “sturm and drang” as David Lee Roth used to call it to satisfy substance to add to the mythology? ‘Tattoo’ has a swaggering, hypnotic groove which worms into your psyche making it the most immediate single on an album without a single ballad. That said, it is the next three songs that set the template; ‘She’s The Woman', 'You And Your Blues’ and ‘China Town’ each feature a blistering Eddie Van Halen guitar solo. Elsewhere, neither ‘Bullethead’, ‘Big River’ and closer ‘Beats Workin’ would look out of place on any of their original albums. Despite all the politics and dissension about the absence of bassist Michael Anthony, Van Halen have returned - at the top of their game!

Joe Mackett