Album review: THE QUIREBOYS – Black Eyed Sons

THE QUIREBOYS - Black Eyed Sons

Off Yer Rocka Recordings [Release date 16.06.14] 2-CD/DVD

The Quireboys are currently celebrating 30 years as a band – 30 years, where did that go, it seems like only yesterday that the band were being heralded as the next big thing. We all know the story, a certain musical genre from Seattle all but finished a lot of the bands that were popular in the late 80’s and early 90’s and most gave up the ghost at that point. Not The Quireboys who, apart from a hiatus in the mid 90’s, have continued to deliver again and again over the years.

So to 2014 and the band’s 11th studio album “Black Eyed Sons”. Following on surprisingly quickly from last year’s “Beautiful Curse”, this 3 CD set is a perfect 30th anniversary celebration for both the band and their loyal fan base.

“Black Eyed Sons” is disc one and, as you would expect from the band, is consistently good. Full of swagger and bravado, this album wears its influences on its sleeves (but what more would you want from The Quireboys?).

Opening track “Troublemaker (Black Eyed Sons)” is the perfect way to kick off proceedings and this album does not disappoint. From the gentle side of the band (“The Messenger” and “Mothers Ruin”), through the acoustic slight Americana feel of “Monte Cassino (Lady Jane)” to the Stonesy ”What Do You Want From Me?” and “Lullaby of London Town” and the classic Quireboys sound of “You Never Can Tell” this is one of the strongest albums from the band to date, and track “Stubborn Kinda Heart” is one of their finest songs ever.

The 2nd disc features the band’s 10 song acoustic set from 2013’s Sweden Rocks Festival. Never underestimate just how good The Quireboys sound acoustically, as this CD proves, as the way the band write songs they lend themselves to this style of playing just as well as a full electric performance.

With Stones like guitars, great harmonies and Spike’s trademark vocals the likes of “Don’t Bite The Hand That Feeds”, “There She Goes Again”, “Misled”, “7 O’Clock” and “I Don’t Love You Any More” sound fresh and full of life, the 40,000 strong audience clearly agree.

Then we have disc 3, a DVD of the band filmed at the Islington Academy on last year’s “Beautiful Curse” tour. With a great mix of old and new songs this show rounds of the celebrations nicely, the 19 track set including everything you would want to hear from the band.

Great renditions of “This Is Rock n Roll”, “Chain Smokin’”, “Hey You”, “Mother Mary” and “Black Mariah” are just some of the many highlights here. But it doesn’t end there as the bonus material includes the promo video for “Mother Mary” in addition to an acoustic session which features “Mother Mary”, “Beautiful Curse”, “27” and “Devil of a Man”, all intercut with interviews with the band talking about their musical journey and where they are now.

Off Ya Rocka have worked with the band to create a stunning set celebrating their anniversary in a rather fitting way and with the band still sounding this good, and with their strongest line up to date, I look forward to The Quireboys 40th Anniversary box set. *****

Review by Nikk Gunns

Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

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ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)

Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)