BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION - review added 10th June 2011
Album Review: 2 (2011)
For fans of: Blues Rock
Pretty much everyone with an interest in bluesy rock music should have heard of Black Country Communion by now. Consisting of Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham, and Derek Sherinian, they are one of the most super of all supergroups and did an excellent job with their debut self-titled album in 2010.
Coming only 8 or so months after that first release, "2" continues where the last one left off, mixing exemplary guitar playing, symphonic meanderings, big drums and huge vocals. Joe cuts in with singing on a couple of the tracks, 'The Battle For Hadrian's Wall' and 'An Ordinary Son', but otherwise this album is all about getting Glenn's amazing sound across with as much panache as possible. And it does that splendidly well.
What Black Country Communion create is what I'd describe as music for aficionados. This is not an instantly accessible album full of throwaway anthems. You have to work to get the best from it, picking out the intricacies of those Led Zeppelin references 'Man In The Middle' and 'Save Me', the Deep Purple vibes 'I Can See Your Spirit', and the vast array of original riffs, chord progressions and vocal freewheeling these genius-alikes record. It's worth the effort though as the way all the little details are combined makes this album a sensational experience. And there's even a proper place for Derek Sherinian's keyboards this time round. What more could you ask for?
Photo Credit: (c) Christie Goodwin
In Summation:
"2" is an album for the heart as well as the head. It appeases completely on a technical level, but there's more than enough passion flowing through its soul to give anyone a gooey feeling inside. Definitely more than a match for the debut. Buy it.
Entertainment/Enjoyment:
Musicianship:
Vocals:
Song Writing:
Production:
Overall (Not An Average Of The Above):
Track List:
01. The Outsider
02. Man In The Middle
03. The Battle For Hadrian's Wall
04. Save Me
05. Smokestack Woman
06. Faithless
07. An Ordinary Son
08. I Can See Your Spirit
09. Little Secret
10. Crossfire
11. Cold
Band/Performers:
Glenn Hughes on vocals and bass
Joe Bonamassa on vocals and guitar
Jason Bonham on drums
Derek Sherinian on keys
Other Info:
Label: Mascot Records
Artist's website(s): Black Country Communion | MySpace | Facebook
