THUNDER - review added 30th December 2008
Album Review: Bang! (2008)
For fans of: hard rock... and ridiculously likeable rock stars
Ninth studio album from Thunder, Bang! has an uninspired title and an utterly crap cover. Don't panic though. The music is much better.
Written almost entirely by guitarist Luke Morley, the album ventures through numerous rock genres and does them all justice.
Opening tracks 'On The Radio' and 'Stormwater' have Thunder's classic feel good blues sound. 'Carol Ann' slows it down with a funky yet chilled, almost 70's vibe. The song nearly becomes a ballad on several occasions, yet it never fails to liven up at the crucial moment.
'Retribution' is the first big surprise. The style is hard to pigeonhole. There's definitely some blues in there, perhaps some acoustic folk and a nod to the theatrical side of metal with all the heaviness removed. You'll have to hear it to make your own mind up. The song works though and adds a leftfield dimension to the album.
'Candy Man' is a catchy sing-along anthem, even if the chorus consists of not knowing the words. Oi, Morley, 'Nah, nah, nah' does not count as lyrics! Bloody good song though.
If 'Have Mercy' takes a flight into Nashville and gets a country makeover, 'Turn Left At California' has lived there for years and wears a cowboy hat - check out those banjos! Separating them is the ballad 'Watching Over You', the album's least inspiring track, and 'Miracle Man', the album's best. Have Thunder ever rocked this hard or sounded this good? Awesome.
The final three tracks, 'Love Sucks', 'One Bullet' and 'Honey' maintain the high standard and irresistible momentum set before.
Danny Bowes' voice sounds as good as ever and the guitar and rhythm sections do their thing admirably. Some of the fun factor may be missing in comparison to their earliest work, but the boys are all grown up now so what do you expect? Bang! is a fine album and worthy of listen or ten. Think of it as a big baggy jumper. It isn't sexy, just comfortable and it feels right whatever mood you're in.
Check out... 'Retribution'. An interesting and memorable track.
Track List:
