AIRRACE - review added 11th July 2011
Album Review: Back To The Start (2011)
For fans of: Classic AOR
Airrace, initially featuring a certain Jason Bonham in their ranks, were formed in London in the early 1980s. Their first album, the Beau Hill produced "Shaft Of Light" was released in October 1984. And, er, that was pretty much that. A year later they were no more, and it was only in 2009 with the 25th anniversary of their album that the guys got back together.
So "Back To The Start", the band's second album, has been a long time coming. Fortunately, to put it bluntly, it's excellent. This is as catchy as rock gets these days, with huge melodies, big hooks, exquisite vocals and the sort of happy-go-lucky vibe you could bottle and sell to hippies. The word 'spunky' wouldn't be out of place to describe what Airrace have created here. Whether they wanted to be spunky or not I don't know, but they certainly are. The overall feel is somewhere between FM and Boston, with the odd nod to stage shows and Richard Marx-esque pop along the way.
Best moments include the stunning 'Two Of A Kind', the equally awesome 'Call Me Anytime', the racy 'One Step Ahead' and the frankly genius 'What More Do You Want From Me?'. To be honest you'd be hard pressed to find anything to criticize on the album. Every song is at the very least good. I'm not sure Airrace even know what the word filler means.
In Summation:
Amazing vocals, great musicianship, fabulous songs. What else could you want?!
Entertainment/Enjoyment:
Musicianship:
Vocals:
Song Writing:
Production:
Overall (Not An Average Of The Above):
Track List:
01. Keep On Going
02. Two Of A Kind
03. When Baby
04. Call Me Anytime
05. So Long
06. Back To Start
07. Just One Kiss
08. Wrong Way Out
09. One Step Ahead
10. Enough Of Your Loving
11. Better Believe It
12. What More Do You Want From Me?
Band/Performers:
Keith Murrrell – vocals
Laurie Mansworth – lead guitars
Simon Dawson – drums
Dean Howard – guitars
David Boyce – bass
Toby Sadler - keyboards
Other Info:
Label: Frontiers Records
Artist's website(s): MySpace
