LILLIAN AXE - review added 5th February 2012
Album Review: The Days Before Tomorrow (2012)
For fans of: Hard Rock
"The Days before Tomorrow" is the eleventh release from American band Lillian Axe. It marks the debut of new vocalist Brian Jones, a guy with (it has to be said) a very cool and interesting voice.
The sound is both the same and different from what they've done before, meaning a slightly leftfield take on hard rock and metal, taking the nuances and unusual sound patterns of prog without most of the weird time signatures. They have something of a 1960s vibe to them in places; not Beatles-esque but definitely retro with a hint of LSD-infused chill.
The playing is all ample, meaning they do a great job of doing what they do without ever pushing the boundaries. The Lillian Axe style is peculiarly understated and, though the guitars occasionally do something sensational, most of the time they are tunefully relaxed and fully focused on carrying Brian's mellow vocal work.
There are some definite high points on the album. 'Gather Up The Snow' is stunning. It's a weird title, but don't let that put you off. It's a top notch track. 'The Great Divide' is appealing in a monged-out way. 'Take The Bullet' is actually proggy rather than merely hinting at it, and damned good it is too. 'Bow Your Head' is a nice understated ballad.
In Summation:
Lillian Axe have a unique style and they really are worth checking out. I'm not sure if this is their absolute best album, but it isn't far off and contains plenty of high points.
Entertainment/Enjoyment:
Musicianship:
Vocals:
Song Writing:
Production:
Overall (Not An Average Of The Above):
Track List:
01. Babylon
02. Death Comes Tomorrow
03. Gather Up The Snow
04. The Great Divide
05. Take The Bullet
06. Bow Your Head
07. Caged In
08. Soul Disease
09. Lava On My Tongue
10. My Apologies
11. Angels Among Us
Band/Performers:
Brian Jones - Vocals
Steve Blaze - Guitar / Keyboard
Sam Poitevent - Guitar
Eric Morris - Bass
Ken Koudelka - Drums
Other Info:
Label: AFM Records
Artist's website(s): Lillian Axe | MySpace | Facebook
