Zero One Music [Release date 18.02.13]
Let’s get one thing clear. Don’t expect another ‘Tiger In A Dress’ and start thinking semi-acoustically. Dan Reed’s previous album, 2010′s ‘Coming Up For Air’, dispensed with the funk metal of his late-eighties big hair days and reflected where he had travelled – musically and spiritually- over a two decade period.
Like ‘Air’, ‘Signal Fire’ is full of super tunes and continues its themes of love and seeking a better world through positive actions. If times were better, the album would be all over the daytime radio schedules: easy on the ear, highly accessible, and lyrically uplifting. US AOR written all over it.
I interviewed Dan Reed several years back when he was embarking on a comeback UK tour with only an acoustic guitar in hand, but I was impressed the way his earlier band-based songs – and heavy ones at that – easily transformed to a pared-back treatment: the true sign of great songwriting and an inner confidence.
Having dispensed with any ‘Tiger In A Dress’ fixation (and you won’t be alone) this album is awash with good stuff from the urgent opener ‘Signal Fire’, via the early single ‘All I Need Is You’ and ‘Only Love’ to the environmentally/politically-aware ‘Last Leaf’, ‘Soul Warrior’ and ‘Drive On’.
‘Avalanche’ and ‘Indestructible’ provide contrasting standouts, the former more upbeat whilst the latter is darker but provides no less of an impact.
Stylistically the album reminded me a little of the last Mike & The Mechanics album but the songs are better.
‘Signal Fire’ is only a tad more rocky than its predecessor and deploys modern production effects which when grafted to essentially anthemic songs – and a gracious lack of autotune – puts this right out there as one of the best pop/rock albums of its kind, from a true craftsman. *****
Review by David Randall
David Randall presents ‘Assume The Position’ on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio every Sunday at 22:00 GMT.
Dan Reed UK dates (March 2013)
Tuesday 5 March – O2 Academy 2, Oxford
Wednesday 6 March – Corporation, Sheffield
Friday 8 March – O2 Academy 2, Birmingham
Saturday 9 March – Academy 3, Manchester
Sunday 10 March – ABC, Glasgow
Tuesday 12 March – O2 Academy 2, Newcastle
Wednesday 13 March – O2 Academy 2, Liverpool
Thursday 14 March – Rock City, Nottingham
Friday 15 March – O2 Academy, Islington
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
Latest session: Sunday 14 April
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David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 7 April 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 2 April 2024.
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Power Plays w/c 15 April 2024
ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)
Featured Albums w/c 15 April 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)
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