Cherry Red [Release date: 27.03.26]
Foreigner’s Lou Gramm and Mick Jones were one of melodic rock’s divine pairings who eventually separated.
25 years, 10 band albums, 2 solo albums and 60 million sales later, Gramm has survived a life threatening illness and come out the other side, stirred but not shaken.
The meaning behind the album title, Released, his third solo album and first for 25 years, could be many things, but we’ll just go with Gramm’s description: “powerful, heartfelt songs with a great vintage sound taken right from my old multitrack tapes. This new album was a long time coming and it’s a real nostalgia trip.”
Gramm, and his son Matt, produced. Long time band mate, Bruce Turgon co-wrote the songs.
Released is liberally sprinkled with brilliant performances, and enough moments of drama to run shivers down any music lover’s spine, whether they are fans of romantic ballads or not. Yet, it’s still something of a mixed bag.
As always, his emotional vocals expose the sensual nature of pain and desire. ‘Lightning Strikes’ and ‘Time Heals The Pain’ each tear a page from Foreigner’s big book of almost-ballads. Gramm’s soulful voice reaps rich dividends as it transcends the last 50 years.
He takes a firm hold of ‘Walk The Walk’ and ‘Long Gone’ , nailing every word to the wall thanks to a punchy, much more inventive production. His slightly strained vocals are no bad thing, simultaneously portraying vulnerability as well as authority.
‘True Blue Love’ was one of the outstanding tracks on Gramm’s second album, ‘Long Hard Look’, expertly and sympathetically produced by Peter (Chicago/ Zappa) Wolf.
Where the original version set Gramm’s aching vocal performance against a galloping beat, soughing strings and a softly spoken choir, this new unplugged version – voice and piano – leaves Gramm’s straining vocals with a bit too much exposure.
It’s a similar story with ‘A Deeper Kind Of Love’. Alex Garcia’s guitar works hard, sharing responsibility with Jeff Jacob’s lively keyboard glissandos, but in the end we’re left with some slight disappointment.
All that said, with only the occasional blip, there’s enough here to enjoy. Gramm’s vocals remain the high watermark that many rock vocalists aspire to, but very few reach. ***1/2
Review by Brian McGowan
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MYRATH Breathing Near The Roar (earMUSIC)
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ALL THEM WITCHES Starting Line (BMG)
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