Frontiers Records (Release date 18.03.22)
Over a decade since reforming, FM’s run of quality product since seems to be coming at an ever faster rate, their suitably titled 13th studio album coming less than two years after its predecessor ‘Synchronised’. It continues that album’s attempt to catch the full variety of their repertoire, including bluesier and soulful influences, rather than rely solely on the big and breezy AOR choruses they are most associated with.
However it gets off to an oddly underwhelming start with ‘Shaking the Tree’ lacking a hook and with a weak chorus by their standard, despite some fine guitar work from Jim Kirkpatrick.
Fortunately the keyboard and guitar intro, combined with Steve Overland’s trademark ‘who-oah’, to ‘Waiting On Love’ is more classic FM and though the verse is a bit disjointed the chorus is pure summery AOR, while ‘Talk Is Cheap’ takes a while to flow easily but boasts a good chorus with Steve on fine vocal form.
For me ‘Turn This Car Around’ is the standout song on the album, with a distinct vibe of Bon Jovi’s ‘Blood On Blood’ and a brilliant instrumental passage with Lizzy-esque twin guitars before Pete Jupp’s drums crash in over a keyboard break. The band tend to break new material into their set sparingly, but this is sure to be a live favourite.
Despite some traditional blues guitar work from Jim, ‘Love And War’ drifts somewhat for me , but having made such a success of their reformation and secure in a loyal fanbase, FM have nothing to prove so are able to take a few chances and step outside of a safe comfort zone. ‘Long Road Home’ is a prime example, having the lazy mellow feel of vintage 70’s American soft rock with fine piano and slide guitar work.
Likewise ‘Every Man Needs A Woman’ is very different, with a tough opening riff and the feel of a funkier and bluesier jam complete with organ from Jem Davis. It could do with a stronger chorus hook, but it works.
However ‘Be Lucky’ and ‘Just Got Started’ – in which Steve sounds more like Paul Rodgers than ever- drift along in disappointingly average fashion despite some nice touches here and there.
‘Fire With Fire’ opens with some nice twin guitar work , of which there seems to be more than on previous albums, and is a quite laid back slow burner before the album closes with ‘Stay True to Yourself’. Again there is an undercurrent of funk and soul, but despite a fine guitar solo the song is again average by their high standards.
Steve Overland’s singing is as superb as ever throughout and the playing is very good, with a greater groove and feel than before. However the songs didn’t do it for me on the first couple of listens, being neither as direct nor well written as before and particularly in the second half some of them tread water.
Though clearly an album that grows on you after a few listens rather than an instant fix, at present it’s my least favourite FM album since reforming. *** 3/4
Review by Andy Nathan
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Power Plays w/c 15 April 2024
ENMY The Ledge (FiXT)
KAROBELA Get Hard (indie)
KATH & THE KICKS Neptune (indie)
THE BEE TELLERS River Poem (Black Sand Records)
LAUREN FREEBIRD Like A Bomb (indie)
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09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023
14:00-16:00 KATARINA PEJAK – Pearls On A String (Ruf Records)
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