RATING: RRRRR
LABEL: FRONTIERS
REVIEW BY: ALAN HOLLOWAY
It's that time again,
as British would be rock legends Vega release their sixth album,
continuing a trend that has seen them get better and better with
every one. For those not in the know (where have you been? North
Korea?), Vega specialize in ultra melodic hard rock music with catchy
choruses, short guitar solos and soaring vocals.
'Grit Your Teeth' kicks
off, as do all Vega albums, with a banging track. 'Blind' is a bass
heavy stomper that allows vocalist Nick Workman to show off his range
nicely. It's definitely the heavier side of Vega, as is the fantastic
fourth track 'Man On A Mission', which has an even bigger sound and
an even better chorus, more bluesy but still unmistakably melodic
rock. The recent single (I Don't Need) Perfection' is a perfect Vega
track, a pure piece of upbeat melody with a solid guitar sound and a
chorus that just won't quit. Go have a listen on YouTube and if you
like it then there's zero doubts you will love this album. The main
problem is picking highlights, as there's so much awesomeness here.
It's all about the choruses, really, and that's what Vega do best.
'Consequence Of Having A Heart' skates perilously close to Tears For
Fears' 'Mad World', but I am assured that any legal challenge would
fall flat! The slowest track is 'Battles Ain't A War', and it's a
great tune that doesn't get in the way of the faster tracks in any
way. The quality continues all the way to the end, as 'Done With Me'
closes the album with a real dollop of pure melody and, naturally, a
killer chorus backed with a little 'Hey! Hey! Hey!' for the live
shows.
Eleven tracks stuffed
in just over forty minutes after 'Blind' kicks in and it's over. I'll
be honest, I've not yet been able to listen to this album just the
once, as it's one of those that makes time really fly, and if you
start listening to it you'll soon be wondering just where the
afternoon went. Special mention must go to the production from the Graves Brothers, who have given Vega a more meaty sound that brings to live more how they are live and really works. Vega have really puled it off with 'Grit Your Teeth',
and I have no doubt that this is their best album yet, in itself
quite a feat. It sucks that everything gig wise has been put on hold,
but hopefully there will plenty of locked down households getting
Vegafied who will make the tour, when it happens, the best yet too.
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