The sounds on this disc are quite classic. In some ways this reminds me of the rock end of The Bee Gees work. Any tune taken individually here is strong. The set, though, is a bit weaker than it should be. For one thing, there isn't enough variety in the vocal delivery. There isn't a lot that can be done to fix that. However, the other problem is that the whole set has a bit of a monolithic vibe. That could have been easily fixed. The way this album tracks, it runs from mid-tempo music downward to ballads at the end. Had those ballads been sprinkled throughout the set, it would have been a much better ride.
This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2017 Volume 3 at lulu.com/strangesound.
Track by Track Review
Forces of Nature
This is a 1970s styled rock song. It has a definite mainstream pop rock vibe. It's a classy mid-tempo number. The horns add an interesting element to the piece.
Rock Where I Stand
Although there isn't a huge change here, this number is far from a carbon copy. For one thing, the lack of horns is a difference. The tune has a bit more energy to it, too. I really dig the funky bass work and smoking hot melodic guitar solo at the end of the tune.
See the Stars
I can make out some hints of funk in this piece in some ways. It's another that feels like it would have been at home in the 1970s. It has some good energy and works well.
Unconditional
There are some hints of country in some of the guitar sounds on this tune. Beyond that, it's not a huge change. It still works really well, though.
These Times
More of a ballad, this one brings some definite variety. It's an effective piece, too. It gets more powered up as it moves along, though. The horn solo section brings some jazz to the table.
Truth Vibrations
Much more of a pure 1970s soft rock tune, I like the groove on this one. The organ brings some authentic retro texture. The vocal hooks on this piece work better than those on some of the others.
Feargal Sharkey
I mentioned some country influence in some of the guitar work on an earlier tune. Well, this number has a lot of country in the slide guitar that dances all over it. The piece feels like an energized folk rocker beyond that. It brings some definite variety to the proceedings.
Crystal
Another bit of change, this is a mellower cut. It works particularly well. In fact, this is one of my favorite tunes here. It has a lot of that 70s rock sound. It's just such a classy song.
Summertown
We're still in mellower territory here. This has some real slice of life lyrics. It's a folk song more than it is anything else. It's also a standout piece of the disc.
They Don't Know
With more of that slide guitar on display, this is another mellower, ballad-like piece.
Movie of Your Life
A slow moving, mellower cut ends the disc. This has a folk rock vibe to it.
