Album review: PUNKY MEADOWS – Fallen Angel

Escape Music [Release date 20.05.16]

I will admit from the start I have never really been a big fan of 70′s pomp rockers Angel. I have tried many times to get into their music as I love pomp rock, but somehow they pass me by. However, I know they hold a special place in many fellow music lovers collections and this solo album by Angel guitarist Punky Meadows will be eagerly awaited. It is his first solo music in over 35 years and as an added bonus Angel bass player Felix Robinson is also involved. Having Outloud’s Chandler Mogel on vocals is a masterstroke as he suits the songs really well and he teams-up on here with fellow Radio Exile band member Charlie Calv, who adds plenty of keyboard flourishes to the sound.

Punky Meadows has said in interviews that the album’s music is unashamed 80′s flavoured melodic rock and it is all the better for it. Songs like ‘Shadow Man’ and ‘Shake Shake’ (the PC brigade will be spitting out their tea listening to the lyrics on this one!), are good time rock songs and ones made to be heard loud and enjoyed. Others like ‘Something Strange’ are made for radio and all the rockers on the album feature layers of harmony vocals on the choruses. What’s not to like?!

Dig a little deeper though and you find an interesting diversion in ‘Off Her Hands’. With its gentle keys/guitar backing and Mogel showing his gentler vocal side, this song will surprise some. Mogel puts in another fine vocal performance on ‘Leaving Tonight’ and Punky Meadows lays down a suitably restrained, yet moving guitar solo, wonderful stuff.

Easily one of the ‘must have’ melodic rock albums of 2016 and needless to say one for any Angel fans. ****

Review by Jason Ritchie
Save

Save

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)