TheAnswerWhen I first heard The Answer back in 2009 when they opened for AC/DC, I wasn’t that impressed, but then again, they supported AC/DC, it would take a lot to get my attention at a gig like that. Six years on the band release their second album on Napalm Records, and maybe it’s time to give them another chance? Let’s see if they can raise my opinion.

“Long Live the Renegades” opens with a classic ‘count-in’ shout before a catchy as hell big bassline kicks in over a steady drum beat. It’s hard not to tap your foot along to it and when the guitars come in with that AC/DC styled sound and the drums get a bit more noticeable, it just builds up perfectly. Vocally, it’s quite raw round the edges and has that attitude about it which isn’t quite up there with the Aussies, but it’s in that kind of style. The stripped back, simple rock and roll approach with that classic vibe works like a charm – it gets the song over with minimal fuss and the only flashy moment is the solo which has some showboating and great blues flair to it. Fantastic album opener! “The Other Side” is a slower paced, blues heavy number. The ringing out chords and arpeggios make for some interesting build up before a big riff with a very 70’s southern rock feel comes in for the verse. Chorus wise, it’s back to the intro feel but with a little more pace behind it and the song switches between these two styles for the most part, it’s got something about it which just works.

“Aristocrat” has a very heavy delay soaked intro, almost Led Zepp styled and when the vocals kick in, they aren’t as nasally/annoying as Plants but they’re delivered in a similar style – full of confidence and strength. The simple, stripped back raw rock feel on this track is backed up with a bit more pace and it works well. Just after the halfway part, there’s a sweet sounding harmonica/guitar trade off and harmony section and it just makes the track shine with a real hard rock-blues feel. “Cigarettes & Regret” opens with an uplifting sounding riff before it goes clean/acoustic and cleanly sung vocals come in for the verses. By the title and the opening minute, you get the feeling that this is a ‘ballad’, and it is, but the whole positive sound and feel from it counters any moodiness from the lyrics, especially with the chorus. It makes a nice change of pace for a ‘ballad’ and no doubt most of us can relate to the theme of the song at one point or another. Points for the talk-box solo too!

“Last Days of Summer” has a heavily fuzzed sounding intro which is a bit harder hitting than the other tracks so far and the vocals are a little more sleazy sounding in their delivery. It’s a lot heavier than the previous tracks and the rhythm section is fantastic on this one. Lead guitar wise, it’s a little flashy with some big bluesy screaming string bend moments and some slick sounding lines and it shows a different side to the band, one which I never thought they had. “Strange Kinda’ Nothing” is another acoustic/clean guitar with clean singing to begin with. As the song goes on, we get some light distortion lead lines and a bit more melody in the bass but it’s still got the bright sound to it despite being a sad sounding song lyrically. On the halfway point there’s a great section which really builds the atmosphere and as the end of the song rolls up it gets a little more distorted but still keeps the feeling it has held right through. “I Am What I Am” has that AC/DC feel to it again, but with a more Glenn Hughes style approach to the vocals initially. It’s got a real stompy feel to it and a decent groove and the rhythm work is fantastic. The heavy sounding guitars are simple and effective and when the solo comes in round the 2:10 mark, it keeps that hard-edged blues feel to it.

“Whiplash” isn’t a Metallica cover. It starts off with a wah-heavy guitar based intro which gives way to a big heavy raw sounding groove, almost Clutch like. Quite an unexpected surprise, but it’s something I’d like to hear more of from the band. It’s got a fantastic sounding pre-chorus (round the 1:00 mark) and if that doesn’t do it for you, then The Cult styled solo and final chorus certainly will. “Gone Too Long” has that upbeat feel to it again whilst having some moody themes to it. As has been the theme with this album, the rhythm section is fantastic and the guitars just add the right texture to the track to compliment the mix of clean and raw vocals. It’s not a stand out track, but it works well. The feel changes during the solo – getting heavier and more raw sounding before it goes back to the main sound for the rest of the song. “Red” has a big sleazy blues feel to it. The big bass sound really stands out on this track, and the simple guitar which rings out before some tasty riffs with gratuitous wah and the harmonica and guitar harmonies return again, complete with a bitchin’ sounding blues solo or two for good measure!

“I am Cured” opens with some slide guitar work, something which I am a sucker for. It has that AC/DC vibe with the music and the vocals are a little less raw sounding but still have some weight behind them in the verses whilst the slide comes back for the chorus. Halfway through it gets heavier with more slide use and more raw vocal work before a great offering from the rhythm section comes in for the breakdown before the solo which has a real rocky vibe to it. “Raise A Little Hell” closes the album and it is a classic hard rock sounding number. Like the rest of the album, it’s simple and stripped back in its approach and it sounds great for it. Heavy bass, solid drums, big sounding guitars and raw vocals. It sums the album up as a whole nicely.

I’ll admit it, I loved this album. It wasn’t what I was expecting at all, and the growth of the band over the past few years to reach this point has been astounding. Get this album, turn it up and raise a lot more than a little hell!

(8/10 Fraggle)

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