Album Review - Black Star Riders, The Killer Instinct

Black Star Riders, The Killer Instinct  (Nuclear Blast)

Now on to the bands second album I will spare you the history lesson on how they came about (Check out previous album here). With the band putting out a great debut album there may well have been pressure to make that difficult second. But the band have all done this before so it really is with full expectation that this is good.

This listener is happy to report it is as good as it should be, classic rock music with that Lizzy sound. The title track is a great all out rock radio staple. Very much a nod back to the live sound of the band and catchy as can be. With great lyrics it is a great catchy tune.

For me "Bullet Blues" kicks this album off to a real new start as it showcases how great Ricky Warwick is on the mic. Oh his voice is never going to make it on X Factor and thank fuck for that. He simply lets it all be as it is. Great guitar work all round with that classic twin guitar sound getting a right good old dust off for 2015. "Finest Hour" really reminds me more of Mr Warwick than the late Lizzy but that is why this is working so well. The band know each other so well and the little riff over the chorus is amazing. I can see this being a great live favorite.

The album is not all out rock and riff as "Blindsided" enters with some nice acoustic guitars and not too cheesy at that so keep the cigarette lighter away for this tune. With this song you get an idea of how good the production is. Spot on and the band are better for it, playing it on my new Fiio X1 it sounds great. Later songs "Through the Motions" and "Turn in Your Arms" will get Thin Lizzy fans smiling, "Sex, Guns and Gasoline" for me is more a tribute to the 80s rock bands. Title and sound wise it reminds me so much of GnR, I was never a fan but it is a fun tune.

Last song "You Little Liar" is the longest tune at just over seven minutes and it shows how good the album is as it passes by so fast.

This album is solid in every way and a great second album all fans will like.

8/10

Twitter: 29xthefun

John Carpenter, Lost Themes

John Carpenter, Lost Themes (Sacred Bones Records)

Those who are into movies will know of John Carpenter. For me a great director and many film fans would agree. But many films fans will be shocked to find out he also composed the music for his films. And much of the time doing it with very little time at all. Dashing from the editing room to a studio (if lucky much was done at home I think) to put down the visuals he has as music.

I have been a fan of his music from the first film I saw in Assault on Precinct 13. His music mas very minimalistic and based on Krautrock from the 60s. His films were at times hard hitting, violent and very much of a dystopia feel to them. So the music was made to fit in with that story.

But here we have a brand new album that he has recorded with no intention of it being in a film. Well he may well have had ideas and things to influence his recording but as far as I know this is all for this one off album. And I have to say it is very good. Again I am a fan and purchases some of his music on vinyl as the label Death Waltz Recording Co have been putting out fabulous luxury vinyl albums from the films he made.

Again with no film to link to it is a little different to listen to this but I love the feel of it just the same. It does feel like a soundtrack again and that simply helps me relax more. With his past works much of the time being rushed die to time limits he has for this album been given as much time as he needed and it pays off. Each track does feel a little different and all draw you in well. Most music fans have a great imagination and more so the more alternative music you like and this is like a blank canvas for me. A hint and a nod at times to films and albums of the past but ultimately it does not feel old or stale. He said he had much fun making it, well I can happily say this reviewer has had much fun listening.

8/10

Twitter: 29xthefun

Available from Sacred Bones Records