Album review: THE COMPULSIONS – Ferocious

THE COMPULSIONS – Ferocious

Indie [Release date 13.11.20]

The Compulsions have a long pedigree of fine musicians from the likes GnR to the New York Dolls to Bowie, and it shows – this is rock n roll at its finest and the album proves Rob Carlyle, singer/songwriter, will not be defeated in his mission to deliver roots rock to the masses, despite changes to the line up and a 5 year gap between albums.

‘Ferocious’ delivers track after track of dirty, roots original rock which is contagious and fun, with a blend of metal, rhythm and blues and country rock influences, this album flies on every level. Carlyle’s vocals and lyrics are superb with a real gravelly edge that just transports me to imagining this band playing live, in a real grass roots music venue with the audience lapping up every riff, beat and chorus.

My pick of the tracks …tough choice, they’re all good! However, I really loved Ferocious, Band of Thieves and Dirt Bag Blues which sums up rock n roll!

There are 2 covers on the album which have been reinterpreted and reinvented with great energy – Dead Flowers (originally The Rolling Stones) and Dust n Bones (originally GnR)

Carlyle explains the choice of covers on Ferocious: “Ever since I started The Compulsions, the idea was to create a sound that lives somewhere between The Stones and GN’R. Like if you put Sticky Fingers and Appetite for Destruction in a blender. So, this time around, I thought let’s just spell it out for people by actually covering those two bands. I’ve always loved ‘Dead Flowers’ and ‘Dust N’ Bones,’ anyway, and I had a pretty good idea of how to put our own spin on those songs.”

Both covers are immense and I think I prefer them to the originals – great work by The Compusions as that’s no mean feat.

I defy anyone not to like this album … I for one, would be queueing up to see The Compulsions live and to shake Rob Carlyle’s hand for his latest rock n roll masterpiece – long may this line up continue! ****

Review by Karen Clayton

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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)