Rating: 7/10
Label: Avenue Of Allies 2011
Review by Alan Holloway
Missing in action since 1982’s “All Dressed Up” (now re released on Avenue Of Allies), David Roberts has made his way writing for other artists over the years, including Starship, Bad English and House Of Lords. In terms of solo music, however, he is much closer to the West Coast scene than AOR, so as a result his return to the recording studio sees a guitar more suited to chilling out than air guitar.
Full of the sort of music that suits summer days and convertibles, “Better Late Than Never” cruises along like it’s on greased rails, although as with most West Coast style albums it never worries too much about shifting into high gear. I’ve experienced this plenty of times, and in the end it comes down to the quality of the songs and your own tolerance for relaxed easy listening rock that doesn’t mind throwing in a bit of piano or a horn section here and there.
Roberts has a fine voice, well suited to the music, and it’s no surprise that he has the songwriting chops to create music that provides a gentle lift to the spirit. Even when I’m wishing for a kick ass guitar solo or for him to just let go every so often, I’m still enjoying the music and wishing it wasn’t raining so I could listen to it outside with a cocktail or two. One for fans of Blanc Faces, Chicago, Bruce Hornsby and the like, this is a nice, pure slice of radio friendly rock-lite.
Website
No comments:
Post a Comment