Album review: THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT – White Bear

Earache Records [Release date 15.01.16]

The Temperance Movement’s debut album released back in 2013 proved a big hit, making the upper echelons of the UK album charts. Since then they have opened for the Rolling Stones and toured extensively, including a US jaunt with label mates Blackberry Smoke.

Late last year it was announced guitarist Luke Potashnick had left the band in an amicable split. Luke had been one of the three main songwriters. At present the band appear to be continuing as a four piece as no replacement has been announced to date.

The opening song and lead single ‘Three Bulleits’ (it is a type of bourbon), start things off in a loud and raucous style, as does the next song ‘Get Yourself Free’. Lots of slide and tasty guitar riffs on this one.

Overall the sound carries on from the band’s debut, with a few new sounds here and there like ‘A Pleasant Peace I Feel’. This song builds slowly to a big, rousing chorus – the sort of song the Temperance Movement excel at. Phil Campbell really belts it out on this one, his gravelly tones suiting the song and music perfectly. Same goes for the title track, the vocals are sung with passion over some Led Zep approved riffs.

Love ‘Oh Lorraine’ which sounds like the Stone Roses, with a trippy backing and something a bit different for the band. It does fall a little flat on ‘Magnify’ which doesn’t match the songs on the rest of the album. Mind you, on ‘I Hope I’m Not Losing My Mind’ all is forgiven, as the band throw in lots of their musical strengths into a slow and brooding number.

‘White Bear’ is not as instant as their debut, but stick with it as it will reward you and then some. The Temperance Movement pass ‘that difficult second album’ test with flying colours. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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