Album review: PHIL THORNALLEY – Now That I Have Your Attention

Lojinx [Release date 02.09.22]

The name Phil Thornalley may not be one you are familiar with, however, he has worked with many a household name including Bryan Adams, Thompson Twins, The Cure, Psychedelic Furs, XTC, Duran Duran, and Paul McCartney. Phil also co-wrote and produced Natalie Imbruglia’s 1997 hit ‘Torn’. He is also the mastermind behind Astral Drive, who our own Pete Feenstra penned a rave review of their last album.

On this album Phil Thornalley set out to explore the production stylings pioneered by the Electric Light Orchestra’s Jeff Lynne. He plays almost all of the instruments bar a little musical help from Jimmy Hogarth and the string arrangements by Sally Herbert.

“Maybe we should have called it the Traveling Phil-burys,” Thornalley jokes, “but I enjoyed the earlier ELO records, and the way they married a crummy beat combo with the grandeur of a full orchestra – it was over-the-top but infectiously musical, creating a foundation of the oxymoronic ‘controlled’ rock and roll drums and a super simple bass guitar.”

The single ‘Fast Car’ is pure ELO, from the strings through to the chorus. Another hit that never was. ‘High On Your Supply’ sees Phil doing a bit of Bob Dylan on the vocals, in fact add in the Tom Petty sounding ‘Hell Bent On Compromise’ (complete with a George Harrison sounding guitar), the 60′s Roy Orbison approved pop of ‘One Night In America’ and you have the Traveling Wilburys!

‘Solid Gold Sunshine’ is a neat 70s influenced pop rocker, not unlike Astral Drive. Another possible single release? ‘To Die For’ is another pop rock banger and listen out for the ELO tribute – by way of Beethoven – near the end of the song.

Three bonus songs of which ’22nd Century’ and ‘The Road Is Home’ are another couple of pieces of pop perfection. The latter again brings to mind Tom Petty especially in the music.

Those who love the music of Jeff Lynne, ELO, Tom Petty produced Jeff Lynne and the Travelling Wilburys will LOVE this album. Yes it is not hip, unlikely to (sadly) trouble the album charts but for those who take the plunge and listen to this album, they will be very happy indeed. Now, next we need a collaboration between Phil Thornalley and Jeff Lynne… ****

Review by Jason Ritchie

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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)