Rating: RRRr
Label: Frontiers 2013
Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom
The Snakecharmers are obviously working hard to please the old fan of Whitesnake, Company Of Snakes, and vintage UK rock. Featuring two former Whitesnakes: guitarist Micky Moody and bassist Neil Murray, vocalist Chris Ousey (Heartland), Laurie Wisefield (Wishbone Ash) on guitars, and drummer Harry James (Thunder) should provide for classy blues rock.
Nontheless, any comparisons to fellow UK groups such as the fore-fathers or more recently Snakes (not to be confused with the Swedes of 'Snakecharmer' feat. Alien vocalist and Silver Mountain members) carry very little weight on the opening two tracks (My Angel, Accident Prone) as they suffer from obvious lack of quality in the songwriting department.
Things do get better from track three (To The Rescue) and onward as you receive a display of exceptional songs and close to impeccable performance in every single department, including vocals that nod appreciation to proper blues. Mid-tempo numbers that oozes of class and feature hummable melodies with background vocals in the old tradition of R&B and gospel. Amazing work by Moody and definitely an inspired return from a guitarist that has been sadly overlooked at times. Not as flashy and fast shredding as several other former Whitesnake guitarists, but plenty of soul.
Remove/skip the lacklustre display of the first two tracks and end up with nicely done Whitesnake, Bad Company-ish rock.
http://www.snakecharmer.org
No comments:
Post a Comment