Frontiers [Release date 14.04.23]
Since Tracii Guns and Phil Lewis buried the hatchet back in 2016 they have released four studio and two live albums in what can only be described as somewhat of a purple patch. The latest, ‘Black Diamonds’, has been described by the band themselves as their best album in years, and as a big fan of the band, I have to agree it is right up there.
Produced by founding member and guitarist Tracii Guns, the album is a nod back to the classic sound of L.A. Guns whilst still sounding like the current band. ‘Shattered Glass’ and ‘Wrong About You’ are great examples of this, with ‘Babylon’ (full of sleaze) and ‘Crying’ (full of swagger) having a feel of the band’s 1994 ‘Vicious Circle’ album.
There are some rather clever lyrics on ‘Black Diamonds’ and for a great example of this, look no further than ‘Lowlife’. For me though, the track I keep coming back to is ‘Got It Wrong’.
Of course, it wouldn’t be an L.A. Guns album without a solid ballad being on there and this is taken care of in the shape of ‘Diamonds’and another fine set of lyrics it contains too. ‘Gonna Lose’ has a great Led Zeppelin vibe to it, whilst opening track ‘You Betray’ has a vocal from Lewis that defies the laws of aging as this sounds like a band a fraction of their age.
‘Black Diamonds’ is an album that is crammed with great guitars, nods to fans favourite tracks from the past, and an overwhelming feeling that this rejuvenated band could roll on and on. *****
Review by Nikk Gunns
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
Next session: Sunday 19 January
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 24 November 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 26 November 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
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)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
