We recently reviewed Red Light Revival’s stonking good Caustic Soul Protection. Now we turn our attention to another collection of seven songs from the Leeds-based band that fall under the eponymous title of Red Light Revival.
The album gets off to a belting start with Need Me Too, a toe-tappingly good opener that has everything you need from an upbeat tempo to a catchy chorus. We’re impressed by the hypnotic rhythm of this piece, maintained by the percussion, leaving a gorgeous electric guitar melody doing its own thing. The false ending is cracking, as is the turning of the screw to up the tempo as the piece reaches a cymbal-crashing crescendo. Top stuff, and one of our favourite of the band’s tracks.
Come On is a classic rabble-rouser, from the imperative title to the persuasive guitar riff. It’s the kind of piece to get you up on your feet with your hands in the air, and that’s the vein in which the album continues. We adore Badbitchwoman – the non-PC title betraying the 70s ethos of this track, readily recalling the classic rock of the era. It’s another track with intricate timing and hair-raising electric guitar. Here Matt Dibb’s vocals are in their element – hoarse, sexy and bluesy.
Slightly more sedate is To My Door, in which Ben Evans’ keyboards are given the limelight and are at their most impressive. There’s an innovative echo effect on the vocals that accentuate the sense of isolation suggested by the lyrics. Perhaps the rawest song on the album is Gasoline, a track evocative of dirty, low-down blues. It conjures images of sleazy joints and the Midwest of the USA; and for our tastes we were more at home with Velvet Smile, where the keyboards lift the track back into a feelgood realm. It’s virtually impossible not to find one or more of your limbs spontaneously joining in with the beat.
The album rounds out with Song For All, which neatly summarises its pacifying intentions. It has a John Lennon-style sentiment and feel, leaving the listener with a positive and inspiring message.
All seven tracks on Red Light Revival are strong – there isn’t a weak link here, and favourite tracks will be a matter of taste. We love the passion of Badbitchwoman and the joie de vivre of Come On. Those are personal choices, but overall we suggest you check out Red Light Revival for their inventive musicality, and for keeping alive the fine tradition of classic rock.
You can discover these tracks for yourself on Bandcamp, where they are free to download. For news of gigs and future recordings, follow Red Light Revival on Twitter, @RedLightRevival.
