Escape Music (Release date 24.06.22)

Both Chris Ousey and Steve Mann have  been on the UK rock scene as long as I can remember –the former singing with Virginia Wolf, Heartland and Snakecharmer among others, the latter the loyal sideman on 2^nd guitar and keyboards for Michael Schenker and the Sweet as well as a core member of Lionheart.

However it was only lockdown that saw Escape Music bring the two together to make an album, though they have rejected a snappy band name –  Lionheartland perhaps?  The line up is completed by another seasoned figure in drummer Clive Edwards and Steve’s own wife Angela on bass.

‘The Flag’ kicks the album off with a big pompous intro and big vocals with Chris Ousey’s trademark vocals  supported by a wall of backing vocals, Praying Mantis/Lionheart style. It takes a little getting used to as the arrangements have a lot going on, but  ‘So it Begins’ is more direct with a big hook while  Steve Mann’s guitar solos on both this and ‘Brave New World’ are almost Schenker-esque in their melodic dexterity.

However singing in a distinctly heavier style than he is used to, the strain shows at times on Chris’ voice which can be a little thin and at times fitting uneasily with this old school traditional hard rock approach. However he has no such trouble on ‘I’ll Tell You When to Stop’ – despite an intro reminiscent of MSG’s ‘Cry For The Nations’, it has a totally different feel, with a spacious, funky and almost poppy groove brought to an unexpected and brilliant ending.

At an hour in length and with 13 songs, there are a few fillers for me – ‘Broken’, ‘Cruising At Altitude’ and ‘Before You Leap’ are not bad, just unexciting . But midway through the album come two of my favourite songs of the year to date – ‘Built For The Fight’ has an epic pomp metal feel and the slower verses this time show off Chris’ voice at its best.

The semi ballad ‘The Fall’ also has a different sound to much of the album but is superb, with a wonderful chorus and Steve’s solos exhibiting taste and control. The title track takes a different approach again, a slow loping blues like MSG’s ‘Rock You To The Ground’ (sorry that comparison again).

‘I Know Who I Am With You’ and ‘No Second Chances’  both have a classic Rainbow or Purple feel, notably the former which boasts some Jon Lord-esque organ and again both are brilliantly tied to a conclusion. Album closer  ‘Number One’ is a straight ahead rocker with Steve letting rip on guitar.

A health warning is in order that this is emphatically not an AOR album despite Chris Ousey’s past. However, with a few pleasant variations on a theme, it is a refreshing trip back to a style of classic melodic heavy rock all too rare these days. Recommended for those who pine for the glory days of Rainbow, UFO and MSG.   ****

Review by Andy Nathan

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