Reviews roundup – Joey Molland vs. Space Elevator vs. Zephrus vs. Blacktop Harrison vs. Hot Fire

Reviews roundup – Joey Molland vs. Space Elevator vs. Zephrus vs. Blacktop Harrison vs. Hot Fire

JOEY MOLLAND
This Way Up / Demos Old And New
Gonzo

I quite likes his last album, “Return To Memphis”, saying that “take on classic rock meets Memphis soul had its moments”, and off the back of that release, he’s had a root around in his cupboard, and come up with a reissue and some old tapes.

“This Way Up” is actually very enjoyable, and it’s one that a lot of Badfinger fans would relate to.  If they missed it when it came out in 2001, they should do themselves a favour and catch up with some excellent tuneage such as ‘Happy’, the very Beatlesbandey ‘This Must Be Love’ and the fabulous closer ‘Isn’t That a Dream’.  Seriously, it’s good.

“Demos Old And New”, however, is a different beast, and one for those who have to have absolutely everything.  With songs from the seventies, eighties and nineties, it ranges all over the place in genre, quality and sound.  But stick with “This Way Up” , and you’ll be fine.

TWU – BUY AT AMAZON
Demos – BUY AT AMAZON

SPACE ELEVATOR
Space Elevator
Nova

Well, hello now.  This is a bit good.  And a bit mad.  Fronted by the mysterious Duchess, this new band sees rock stalwarts David Young (guitar – We Will Rock You house band), Neil Murray, bass (Whitesnake / Gary Moore / Black Sabbath / Brian May / We Will Rock You house band) Elliott Ware, Keyboards (The Who, Alice Cooper, We Will Rock You) and session drummer Brian Greene making an album that sounds, wait for it, a bit like a madder Queen.

There’s also a liberal sprinkling of prog, some delightfully melodic moments and, as you would expect, top notch performances from all concerned, including the Duchess.  Some songs work better than others, but cast your ears at the likes of ‘Loneliness Of Love’ and ‘I Will Find You (Gallifrey Dreams)’ – yes, really – and you’ll thank me for it.

If you like your seventies guitar rock a bit bonkers, then you’ll love this.

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ZEPHRUS
Liquid Sun
indie

More seventies rock throwback style, this time from Burlington, Vermont power trio, Zephrus.  They’ve only been on the go a couple of years, but obviously wanted to be in the same rack as Zephyr.  Which is fine by me.

It’s not all olde worlde though, as they do throw in a few grunge-lite moments, just so the kids will understand, but when they get a bit folky, you just think Led Zep III, and be damned.  There’s also some prog, some jam band, and some clever arse twiddles in there, which certainly keeps you listening.

There are some really good songs along the way from Corey Cranston, Troy Cyphers, and Scott McGrath, so give the likes of ‘Arrive’ and ‘Waiting For Nothing’ a listen, then send me a thank you postcard.

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BLACKTOP HARRISON
Sunshine, Dark Eyes
indie

Modern alt-rock from producer Ian Crow and his cronies sees, what, the fourth record from Blacktop Harrison.  And it continues their progression from a more generic modern metal band into the world of alt-rock, stoner rock and generic modern rock.

Oddly, they look across the Atlantic for their influences, something a lot of Brit bands tend to avoid.  So there are moments where you go Zakk!  Yay!  And then there are moments when you go Mark Tremonti!  Aw…  But it certainly sounds good as Mr Crow seems a very able knob twiddler.  And the delightfully named Chewie on vocals has a fine set of lungs on him as well.

If you like this sort of thing, then you’ll really like this sort of thing, especially on the better songs such as ‘Dust Spirals’, ‘Twisted’ and ‘The Silence Of Dreams’.

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HOT FIRE
Lost In Rock & Roll
indie

We’re hot! We’re fire! We’re lost! We rock and / or roll!

Finally, for today, we’re off to Boston.  In the American colonies, not Lincolnshire, for some kick ass rock and / or roll, from a band who’ve taken it upon themselves to save the genre and carry it into the future.  Says them.  And they’ve decided to do it via the medium of eighties hard rock.

Yup, it’s sort of Aerosmithy meets glam metal for some AC/DC cover tunes and a pitcher of lager.  But they’re jolly good at it, and the title track, ‘The Shakes’ and ‘Fuel Injected Love’ are welcome round ours for a beer any weekend.  Unless I’m gardening.  It’s their debut release, do fair play, and if they pull these sort of things of live, then I’m sure it would be a fun night all round.

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