Album review: TORA TORA – Bastards of Beale

Frontiers [Release date 22.02.19]

Since the release of their debut album back in 1989, Memphis’ Tora Tora have been (albeit with a 14 year hiatus thanks to the shifting musical landscape) bringing us some great blues based rock n roll and with new album “Bastards of Beale” the band don’t disappoint as they deliver yet another fine album.

Following the band’s 2008 reunion Tora Tora have released three albums of previously unreleased material, making “Bastards of Beale” their first album of new music since 1992’s “Wild America”. Worth the wait? Oh yes indeed, this is an album of good old bluesy rock and is a very welcome addition to 2019.

Everything about this album is exactly what fans of the band will be expecting as they have managed to capture the spirit and sound of their earlier records without sounding dated or out of place. There is not really a weak moment on “Bastards of Beale” but I if had to single out highlights then I would recommend starting with “Lights Up The River” and “Let Us Be One”.

There are some 80’s bands out there that will release a record these days and you get the feeling they keep it going purely for nostalgia, Tora Tora aren’t one of these bands, as “Bastards of Beale” shows. What I suggest you now do is get a copy of the album, turn it up loud and hit the repeat button. ****

Review by Nikk Gunns

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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)