Album review: BRAM STOKER – Cold Reading

Bram Stoker - Cold Reading

sunn creative [Release date 27.01.14]

The band, taking their name from one of the great horror stylists, might well conjure up dark and nefarious activity akin to their early contemporaries Black Widow. Forget all that. 40 years after their debut ‘Heavy Rock Spectacular’ Bram Stoker return with a more gentle offering of appeal to Genesis/Hackett, BJH and Camel fans.

The original member Tony Bronsdon (keys) and guitarist Tony Lowe have fashioned a contemporary sounding album whilst still respectful of their heritage. The band originally formed at the back end of the sixties and built up a loyal following. At one show – the Marquee in January 1971 – a nascent Queen supported them.

The album is a really good listen and errs on the gentle but persuasive side of prog with a mix of instrumentals and vocal tracks, just like that debut. The original album sounded like 1 part Atomic Rooster to 3 parts Egg and the revival still has the characteristic organ/guitar interplay. In fact two tracks are re-recorded: ‘Fingal’s Cave’ and ‘Fast Decay’.

Prog fans will really appreciate the subtle nuances, and the excellent vocals of new recruit Will Hack (who also plays drums). This is best heard on the title track, ‘Calling Me Home’ and ‘New Adventure’ whilst ‘Joust’ and ‘Light At The End Of The Tunnel’ are two absorbing instrumentals.

This may be a low-key, almost tentative, comeback but nevertheless ‘Cold Reading’ emerges as a somewhat belated triumph and successfully launches the band back into a new time zone and, potentially, a new audience. At very least it may hasten a rekindling of that legendary debut. ****

Review by David Randall

David Randall presents ‘Assume The Position’ on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio every Sunday at 22:00 GMT.

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

Next session: Sunday 19 January

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio

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 1 December 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 3 December 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com

Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024

In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections

Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)