101 SOUTH - review added 3rd November 2009
Album Review: No U-Turn (2009)
For fans of: AOR... and slower tracks
2009 marks the tenth anniversary of 101 South. The band was formed in Malibu, California by Harlan Cage keyboard player Roger Scott Craig. Since then the line-up has altered slightly, but still keeps it's core members and core direction.
On No U Turn, the band is Gregory Lynn Hall on vocals, Roger Scott Craig on keyboards and vocals, Mike Turner and Billy Liesegang on guitar, Jimmy Turner on bass, Hans Geiger on drums, and Alan Kroll on saxophone. Guests include Scott Cupp, Ian Bairnson (Pilot) and Chris Thompson (Manfred Mann). It's a big line-up alright, but then this is big music so it needs to be.
The sound is soft, dreamy rock in the vein of Chicago, lighter Foreigner and various American Westcoast acts. The album isn't namby pamby, but it'd be more likely to swipe you with the back of a glove than kick you in the shins. The performances are all measured and mature. The musicianship is exemplary.
Opening track 'When You're In Love' is a mellow, almost fantastical voyage through the realms of love. It isn't necessarily a breathtaking track as such, but it really is very chilled. 'All In The Game' is similarly understated through the verses, although the chorus is more grandiose and all the better for it. It still isn't overbearing or even vaguely potent, but there's a certain urge behind it that works well. It's a familiar sounding song but I can't put my finger on what it reminds me of.
'Lonely Heart' is an extremely pleasant and friendly track, although it's ultimately a tad anonymous. 'What Are You Gonna Do Anyway' is a lively number with an interesting off-the-beaten-track chorus. It works well. 'End Of The Game' is another leftfield effort - and this time it's intriguing from start to finish. There's a retro charm to the song that's hard to describe. It's unlike anything else I've heard this year and mixes modern playing and production with a truly classic vibe. It's one of those songs you really need to hear to make your own judgment.
'From What You Know Now' is a strangely bland song. 'Yesterday Is Gone' heads back into positive territory with a near-hard-rocking sound that grooves and (quietly) pounds with a surprising turn of energy. It's still a laid-back song, but it's an agitated take on laid-back. Let's call it relaxed with a cocked eyebrow. 'Take Me Home' is a stripped back ballad that's okay but nothing more. 'Don't Tell Me It's Over' is faster paced and solidly good. Final track 'Blue Skies' is, well, simply amazing. It's a ballad that harks back to the multi-layered heyday of bands like Chicago. I have a strong suspicion this'll be fighting for honours in the 2009 Rock Realms awards...
As a whole No U Turn works reasonably well. The songs are hit and miss individually, but together they gel into more than the sum of their parts. Whatever you think of the rest of the album, it's all worth it for that final track anyway. If not with anything else, 101 South have discovered pure genius with 'Blue Skies'.
Check out... Er, 'Blues Skies' strangely enough.
Track List:
1. When You're In Love
2. All In The Game
3. Lonely Heart
4. What Are You Gonna Do Anyway
5. End Of The Game
6. From What You Know Now
7. Yesterday Is Gone
8. Take Me Home
9. Don't Tell Me It's Over
10. Blue Skies
Label: AOR Heaven
Artist's website(s): 101 South , MySpace
