Reviews roundup – Lordi vs. Arkansas Dave vs. George St Clair vs. Mick Kolassa vs. Yuka & Chronoship

Reviews roundup – Lordi vs. Arkansas Dave vs. George St Clair vs. Mick Kolassa vs. Yuka & Chronoship

LORDI
Sexorcism
AFM

Yeah, that cover is just so wrong. On so many levels.

No I seem to be the only person who thought “Monstereophonic (Theaterror vs. Demonarchy)” was an improvement on the previous couple of albums especially when they went proper old school metal on the B-side (ask yer Dad). Well they obviously liked it as well as they’ve upped the quotient of metal on this one and delivered one of their heaviest albums to date. Maybe it took a while to get the upheavals of the last few years out of their system but this is definitely a return to form. A slightly different form, mind, but it is good.

They’ve still got some monster choruses (hah!) but the riffs are harder, heavier and faster, all of which powers the album along in fine fashion. For sure there are still some terrible lyrics but this is Lordi. Remember? The band who dress up as monsters. But that aside some of these songs will become fan favourites for a long time to come. I’m looking at ‘Naked In My Cellar’, ‘Polterchrist’ and possibly the greatest heavy metal song title of all time – ‘Sodomesticated Animal’. Yup, that’s my new band name sorted out.

Some fans may find this a bit too heavy but the keyboards still play an integral part, so they’ll get to grips with it. Mucky, nasty but very good.

 

ARKANSAS DAVE
Arkansas Dave
Big Indie

Arkansas Dave comes from Arkansas and he’s called Dave. Don’t say you never get facts around here. And he’s put out a rather splendid album.

It’s blues. And it’s blues rock. And it’s country blues. And it’s even soul. But wherever he lays his hat (hah!) he really hits it out of the park. When things kick off with the powerful blues rock of ‘Bad As Being Good’ you think “just another very good blues rocker”. But, c’mere, there’s more. Because although the first half of the album is full on blues rock when you flip it over (in old money), the second side sees him getting his mellow soul man vibe on. It’s a surprise but a very pleasant one.

When he rocks, he rocks well, with ‘On My Way’ and ‘Bad Water’ real rockin’ the blues highlights. On the other side ‘Rest Of My Days’ is one of the best songs I’ve heard all year bar none. It’s as if the first half is when you’re getting bevvied up and partying down the pub, then the flip is when you get home and realise the emptiness of your life as you sit home crying. Just saying. A tremendous release from a multi-talented bluesman.

 

GEORGE ST CLAIR
Ballads of Captivity and Freedom
independent

A Texas born, English based archaeologist and anthropologist, he’s following in the tradition of many a diaspora by using distance to reconnect with the past.

In his case that’s the sound of wide, open spaces which encompasses Americana, old school country and country rock. He spent a good few years playing clubs and bars around Texas and you don’t get out of there alive if you’re not good at what you do, so the vocals and performances are strong. The arrangements are equally so on an acoustic led set with some deft pedal steel along for the ride. The songs are split between the personal and the observational, so some of the lyrics are politically pointed. But, if you don’t agree with his viewpoint, there are still some delightful melodies to keep you company.

Numbers like ‘Up To Fail’, the almost soft rock of ‘New Mexico’ and ‘Cynthia’ are real treats for the ears. Given half a chance (Bob Harris/Maverick magazine), this is a record that could really find its place. Recommended.

 

MICK KOLASSA AND FRIENDS
Double Standards
independent

Well this is a good one. Mick Kolassa teams up with a bunch of fellow bluesters to have a rerr old rattle through some old favourites. Hence the punningly entitled album.

It’s the kind of thing that could end up being self indulgent but even though there is a generally laid back vibe to proceedings it’s almost as though you’re a fly on the wall of the best blues jam session around.

There is nothing new or startling here. Just a bunch of great songs, well performed. Everyone brings a little something to the table as Mr Kolassa invites Sugaray Rayford, Heather Crosse, Victor Wainwright, Annika Chambers, Tas Cru, Tullie Brae, Eric Hughes, Erica Brown, Patti Parks, David Dunavent, Gracie Curran and Jeff Jensen (who also produces and plays guitar) along to join. There’s a stack of WIllie Dixon and Tampa Red songs, as well as BB King, Louis Jordan and others. The bad have a great feel and you’ll end up joining in on some weel kent tunes.

There is too much of a good thing and there are some dreadful versions of ‘I Just Want To Make Love To You’, ‘Rock Me Baby’, ‘Spoonful’ and ‘Key to the Highway’ out there, But not here. It may not be a game changer but if you’re looking to relax in the company of some classics, then this is the place to be.

 

 

YUKA & CHRONOSHIP
Ship
OMP Company

Album number four from the none more prog, Japanese prog band fronted by Yuka Funakoshi.

Last time around they issued a concept album themed with scientific / technological revolutions including Copernican theory, the industrial revolution and the theory of relativity. This time, though, it’s all based on a thesis surrounding Stock, Aitken & Waterman, and their place in Freudian analysis. What? It isn’t? Oh, right. Sorry. Actually, there are some non-conceptual songs here but the first seven songs are a suite based on the Greek mythology “Argo”. You know, the ship on which Jason and the Argonauts sailed from Iolcos to Colchis to retrieve the Golden Fleece. That’s right. Prog.

They’ve even got some guest vocals on the opening ‘Tears of the Figurehead’ from Sonja Kristina out of Curved Air. It’s quite a deceptive opener, all mellow piano and creaking keel. But then it’s off into the main body of the kirk with ‘The Ship Arogs’ where the band fire up their patented uber-prog sound with the voice of Yuka, as always, utilised as an instrument. The Arog suite is a real treat with the heavy guitars on ‘Landing’ particularly fine.

Once that’s over the standalone ‘The Airship of Jean Giraud’ is another highlight, intense and powerful. Things close with a tribute to the late John Wetton, ‘Did You Find a Star?’, ending a rather marvelous album which the more adventurous prog fans should be lapping up.

 

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St Columba’s Hospice Tribute Fund for Linda Hamilton
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