Album review: VOODOO RAMBLE – Can’t Write A Pop Song (When You’ve Got The Blues)

Thoroughbred Music [Release date 10.22]

In our reflections on two decades of rock it is a truism that out there are some wonderful bands and musicians who, for whatever reason, never hit critical mass. This is usually down to a combination of circumstances: including, but not exclusive to, promotion, location, fashion.

It would be a great shame if Boris Zamba (big in Croatia) fails to broaden his world horizon. His latest release – tirelessly promoted by our very own Pete Feenstra who wrote lyrics for most tracks – follows 2018′s ‘That’s Why’ which similarly was a worthy listen. Especially the track ‘Sally’.

Perhaps the main difficulty to surmount is musical perception: Zamba has traditionally been pigeon-holed as “blues”. But like another Feenstra collaborator, Zed Mitchell, his musical inclination is actually much wider.

I think Pete’s lyrics and influence will help here, he’s evidently inspired Zamba. The opener ‘Born On The Road’ is nothing really startling but then follow a couple of tracks that up the ante. ‘Can’t Write A Pop Song’ is radio friendly although ‘Too Bad For Heaven, Too Good For Hell’ has been chosen as an early single and is like super-charged Cream/Jack Bruce for the modern age. Ditto ‘Man In Doubt’.

‘Down Home’ has country/gospel overtones and ‘Out Of This World’ with the excellent Ivana Galic on vocals has a fully-fledged gospel choir. ‘London Town’ echoes ‘London Calling’ and is an upbeat paean to changing cities. ‘I Know It’s You’ is a pleasant enough re-tread of Floyd replete with Gilmour-esque soloing.

Whilst this album does show Zamba’s versatility and is very likeable, there will be listeners who want more of certain styles (or less). And that indeed might be its weakness. For some, there might be too much use of a shuffle button. ***1/2

Review by David Randall

Album review/Feature (That’s Why, 2018)

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