Album review: AUSTIN GOLD – Those City Lights

TMR Rock Records [Release date 04.11.22]

It’s an interesting fact that many bands start out as blues rockers and then morph into something more classic rock/mainstream. King King, Laurence Jones and even Joanne Shaw Taylor come to mind. This is either natural evolution or a realisation that they”ll reach a wider audience following the classic rock route.

When Pete Feenstra reviewed the previous album, 2017′s ‘Before Dark Clouds’ he mentioned how Austin Gold captured “the stadium swagger of Albany Down and the vigour of Federal Charm, on an album stamped through with their own DNA, just like a stick of rock.” Albany Down split then reformed more recently, Federal Charm also split. Hopefully Austin Gold will buck the trend.

The gap between that last album and this is, of course, not good for momentum – pandemic and a “mini-album” in 2019 notwithstanding – given Pete”s closing thoughts that they were “holding all the right cards, they’re just a good shuffle away from achieving something very special.”

But in truth they’ve come back with something special. The vibe is not so bluesy although the band’s influences are still audible as for example on the Allmans-tinged playout to ‘Our Last Stand’. Only on ‘Real You’ does the band indulge itself musically, with an end section highlighted by David James Smith’s guitar and vocals which are a quality feature throughout.

It’s Smith who features prominently on the album cover strangely overshadowing the input of the other band members, if only graphically. Lee Churchill (Bass), Adam Leon (Keyboards/backing vocals) and Chris Ogden (Drums) all play their part. Leon replaces former keyboards player Russell Hill and second guitarist Jack Cable is also absent from the current line-up.

The opener is the Foo Fighters-ish ‘Never End’ whilst ‘Cut & Run’ has the cut and thrust of The Knack’s ‘My Sharona’. A stab of Hammond infiltrates the gutsy ‘Invincible’ and the early single ‘Mountain’ both with a typically anthemic chorus that reminds a little of Alter Bridge.

‘Get In Line’ takes us back to another melodic/hard rocking band, Badfinger, and even Macca (with echoes of ‘Maybe I’m Amazed’). This is one of several tracks which demonstrate the band’s excellent tunesmithery and a definite pop sensibility.

All these reference points mean that Austin Gold should command a wide appeal. They’ve already made an impact with their debut album, and subsequently at an appearance at Ramblin’ Man Festival and a couple of UK tours.

‘Those City Lights’ puts them further on the upward trajectory and more fully realising Pete Feenstra’s early faith and predictions. ****1/2

Review by David Randall

Album review (Before Dark Clouds, 2017)
Interview/feature (2017)

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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)