Album review: COLLATERAL – Re-Wired

October 6th, 2022 by jason

Cargo Records [Release date 21.10.22]

Originally released early in 2020, British band Collateral have taken their self-titled debut and given the album an overhaul, added a lively new single and included some big-name collaborators, the album also has a new title “Re-Wired”. With UK wide tours with the likes of Reckless Love, H.E.A.T and Skid Row, the band are picking up where they should have been had the pain in the arse that is Covid had not got in the way.

So let’s start with the lead single “Sin In The City”, the track is brand new and not reworked from the original album, and it is a huge sounding song with big choruses, melodies and of course guitars – and this will no doubt earn the band some new fans once it hits the radio.

But if we are talking singles, and this album has so much to choose from, then we need to talk about “Get Back To You”, a massive ballad that is reminiscent of Bon Jovi and Richard Marx, had this been released as a single at the end of the ‘80s or early ‘90’s it would have been a massive hit on MTV.

Personally, the 80’s edged “In It For Love”, featuring Rudy Sarzo, is my stand out track on the album, and this is closely followed by another heavier feeling reminder of my favourite musical era (it’s the guitars and the backing vocals that do it!!) in “Lullaby”, this time with Whitesnake guitarist Joel Hoekstra as the guest appearance.

As is the current mood, there are a couple of country-tinged tracks on offer here too, “Merry Go Round”, the Danny Vaughn assisted “Midnight Queen” and “About This Boy”, which benefits nicely from the additional female vocals of Sari Schorr.

“Re-Wired” is a consistently strong album and blends the afore mentioned songs with the heavier tracks like “Promiseland” (now, this has a touch of Bon Jovi to it, and coincidentally features their current guitarist Phil X), “Mr Big Shot” featuring Jeff Scott Soto and “Won’t Stop Me Now”, with an appearance from former Europe guitarist Kee Marcello and complete with the vocals of Helen Hurd.

If you haven’t heard of Collateral before then trust me and have a listen, you won’t regret it. I am looking forward to seeing the band support Skid Row later this month. *****

Review by Nikk Gunns

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