WISHBONE ASH - review added 21st November 2011
Album Review: Elegant Stealth (2011)
For fans of: Classic Rock
Got to be honest, Wishbone Ash are not a band I have taken much notice of over the years. I interviewed ridiculously nice front man Andy Powell a while back, and I've probably heard some of their songs on the radio here and there, but that's about as far as my contact with the group goes.
So...I come to this album with few if any preconceived notions of what to expect. I know the band were one of the first to use twin lead guitars, I know they dabble with folk, prog, and soft classic rock, and I know "Elegant Stealth" is (amazingly) the band's 28th album, but that's about it.
The sound on "Elegant Stealth" immediately comes across like a modern take on 1970s prog with a big nod to uptempo bar room rock and laid back folk. In fact as the album plays through it becomes clear they don't like to stick to one style. It makes for a complicated but constantly fresh release that always leaves the listener guessing what's coming next. The musicianship is always good, but it occasionally reaches for the stratosphere with the way complex multi-layered segments are made to sound so simple yet so stunning.
Song wise, where to start? Every track offers something different so it's really hard to compare them like-for-like. I love the chorus in opener 'Reason to Believe', the funky bass opening of 'Big Issues'... and so it goes on. Each song has something interesting to offer, and it's a genuine pleasure to play the album from start to finish.
In Summation:
This is not an album to get the blood stirring, but it does feel like a properly coherent release from a band that really knows what it's doing. It's probably not something I'd listen to normally, but I'm glad I've had the chance. Fans of chilled rock with a twist would do well to check this out.
Entertainment/Enjoyment:
Musicianship:
Vocals:
Song Writing:
Production:
Overall (Not An Average Of The Above):
Track List:
01. Reason to Believe
02. Warm Tears
03. Invisible Thread
04. Man With No Name
05. Searching For Satellites
06. Give it Up
07. Heavy Weather
08. Mudslick
09. Big Issues
10. Migrant Worker
11. Can't Go It Alone
Band/Performers:
Andy Powell
Bob Skeat
Muddy Manninen
Joe Crabtree
Other Info:
Label: ZYX Records
Artist's website(s): Wishbone Ash | MySpace | Facebook
