Attitude
With the opening chords of the first track, ‘My Imagination’, your ears prick up. You know this is going to be a great album. Then a voice, that is so unmistakable, begins singing, you realise what a treat you’re in for.
Lonerider is made up of FM vocalist Steve Overland, Free and Bad Company drummer, Simon Kirke, Steve Morris, of Gillan and Heartland fame, on electric guitar, with Brian J Anthonyof Overland on acoustic guitars, mandolin and percussion – Brian also mixed and mastered the album. Completing the line up is Thunder bass player, Chris Childs.
A supergroup to say the least, this incredible group of musicians deliver a really great, punchy album. Drawing from all of their respective bands, we hear little bits of FM, with a dash of Free and a hint of Thunder. All thrown into the pot, mixed up and out comes the fantastic Lonerider
I mentioned ‘My Imagination’ at the beginning of this review; what a way to open an album. It is a real corker of a song. It grabs you, with its mix of rock and blues, with a hint of country thrown in too, for good measure. Steve Overland’s voice is as good as ever and Steve Morris’ guitar is energetic to say the least.
The second track ‘Lonerider’ caused me a little bit of confusion for a while. It’s rather unusual to have a song named after your band, that said, it is yet another brilliant song. Conjuring images of American highways and mid west towns, this is a great driving song. It boasts a healthy mix of crunchy guitar riffs and a rhythm section to die for.
‘Yesterday Heroes’ is one of my favourite songs on the album. Some have said it was written about Steve Overland’s brother, whether or not that is the case, it is a song that spends all of its time reminiscing about the past. It is a meeting of two people that has sparked all of these memories. Comparing one another’s lives, ‘You must Have some stories you can tell’. A country feel melody ties the song up perfectly and if I were to nominate a single from the album, this would be it.
Another stand out song for me is ‘Hard Habit to Break’. I hear echoes of Santana, with the guitar part and then Steve well and truly brings it home with his flawless vocal delivery. Steve Morris really drives this song along with his wonderful guitar playing.
Lonerider are something special. For a band made up of predominately English folk, it has a very American feel. An album of great songs, ideal for driving down the American highway in your Ford Mustang! Here is a band that I really hope we hear more of, a follow up album and even a tour are a must!
Released by Escape Music Ltd
Release Date: 26th April, 2019
