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earMusic [Release Date : 01.03.24]
There just can’t be any Classic Rock artist who can outdo prolific hit writer, Albert Hammond’s “been there, done that, got the Oscar/Grammy/Platinum Disc…” track record.
And when you include the fact he wrote the Pipkins’ ‘Gimme Dat Ding’, then you just have to accept that he truly is an untouchable talent.
In his eightieth year now, he’s clearly not slowing down and if he is, well, you could have fooled me.
Body Of Work is Hammond’s 20th studio album and his first recording of original material since 2005. Since then he’s been getting his second wind, re-recording and touring his “greatest hits”, often with celebrity guest artists in tow. Maybe he defines that as slowing down.
What impresses you most with Body Of Work is the sheer variety of songs and sounds and styles, and yet, very clearly, it’s all Albert Hammond. He never really had an instantly recognisable sound, or even a particularly distinctive voice. What he had were distinctive songs. ‘It Never Rains In Southern California’, ‘One Moment In Time’, ‘Free Electric Band’ and ‘The Air That I Breathe’, among many, are evidence enough.
This new batch of material just pulsates with psychic energy and sharp social commentary.
Like most human beings, Hammond has experienced break ups and shake ups. And like others, it’s helped him forge his philosophy of life, as he’s soaked up experiences and the influences around him.
It’s pretty much a Guilty Verdict as he casts his eye across apathy in the face of climate change (Don’t Bother Me Babe), corporate greed (American Flag) and the weightier issues of international conflict (Somebody’s Child).
You’ve got to write something truly affecting nowadays for your protest to be heard. It’s doubtful if any words could approximate the carnage being witnessed in the Middle East today. But Hammond wraps some pretty pithy comments around it.
And then… the alt country, confessional love song, ‘Knocking On Your Door’ (with actual knocks); the Marley-ish ‘Shake A Bone’ (“I’m Chasing Freedom, you want to come along?”) and the upwardly mobile ‘Living In The Universe’ transport us into, well… that place that great songwriters transport us to.
Lots of issues covered perhaps, but in the end, a laconic voice, a sincere songwriting style and a working class worldview are perhaps all you need. ****1/2
Review by Brian McGowan
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