ALBUM REVIEW: Gasoline Outlaws outrageously passionate and powerful on Light Up The World

AHH, the tricky second album...when you've exhausted all your familiar live tracks carefully honed over years on your début and now you have to get it all straight for album number two. But Gasoline Outlaws have taken the 'tricky' cliché and shoved it into a mind-meld of pure hard rock joy.

Yep, buckle your hard rock heart in, because 'Light Up The World' is going to take your perceptions to another level, bringing compassionate, socially aware lyricism and muscular music.

Live Gasoline Outlaws have always had the chops, as you would expect from four experienced musos, and with their first release 'No Rules, No Laws, No Regrets' such a passionate statement coming up with similar for 'Light Up The World' was bound to be a challenge.

Aye, dead on - because this pure bred rocking four-piece accept the challenge and take it to another level.

Not much of a challenge with the collection of songs aired here. Fuck you second album doubts as this is strident; this is thoughtful; this has fire and tenderness; this elevates the soul; and this causes all to examine their own reactions to love, life and this fucked up world.

As you might gather we rather enjoyed it...

However, for those expecting the same instant hit as when they released their first, be prepared to give this album more time. It's not that there are not songs that grab you from the off: rather that there are so many more layers and nuances.

The opening drum and bass combo to the title track is a statement in itself before the four-piece clicks into a rage against the prevailing selfishness on Planet Earth. Adam riffing as Matt urges us all to be the better person in the field of bastards scourging daily life.

It is not the only socially aware track, but from the off the match between the music and the message has heads nodding, not like slavish morons, but as people who can form their own thoughts.

And, for this album in toto it is clear that Gasoline Outlaws have matured as a band with their own vision and the preparedness and courage to take on new sounds that complement their own drive.

Adding the keyboards and textures of John McCullough on selected tracks and the backing vocals of Amy Montgomery (on the tremendous 'Better Days Coming') shows that the band knows that they can - and must - stretch themselves to elevate GO beyond the pack.

This is best demonstrated on the closing track 'Hard Times' as Ryan beats out an almost militaristic rhythm as it builds: Adam and Chris keeping a timing that is insistent and compelling as Matt's tells a tale of woe and hope.

'Psycho' is a vehement anti-violence diatribe, while 'The System Is A Lie' opens with an almost Neil Young vibe before the band takes the screwed up political and brainwashed world to task in an unbelievably catchy commentary on where we are in 2019.

However, they also prove on 'Where We Started' that the lyrics can show that they can be introspective and tender, no schmaltz, no overblown sentimentality, just emotions, wrested from Matt's voice and Adam' balanced solo echoing the sensibility.

On a similar note 'Executed' has that same introspection that will resonate with many a listener: and let's be blunt here had this been released by some jumped up manufactured boy band it would be playlisted on Radio Two, with feature slots on The One Show and Graham Norton. Little do these numpties and bampots realise that it takes a rock band to write and record songs this good.

It is as well it is followed up with the stomp and strut of 'Breathe Again' lest you have 'Executed' on repeat and crack open a bottle or six of wine. 'Breathe Again' will have you hoisting the bottle of bourbon in the air - demanding another swig as you implore the ones you care for to care the same way; and stick a middle finger up to the doubters and chancers.

While there are so many defining moments on Light Up The World it is the defiant statement on 'Fight For One More Day' that helps espouse the ethos of Gasoline Outlaws - and all of the marginalised. You can kick us, doubt us, sneer and backstab but we'll be back, we'll kick back and we'll show our worth...as Metallica say "fuck it all and fucking no regrets".

There is a sense here that Gasoline Outlaws have been more than just 'thoughtful' in preparing this release; a maturity in the approach and a willingness to listen and learn to deliver a collection of songs that will have many baying for their live renditions.

Cormac Neeson's input, Amy's backing vocals, John's keys and, the magic touch of Frankie McClay of Einstein Studios NI have elevated Matt, Adam, Chris and Ryan to the next level.

This album will Light Up The World of every true rock fan and deservedly so.

Review by Jonathan Traynor

Pledgers will have already received their copy. Light Up The World will be released on April 5th. Pre-orders are available here.

The official launch takes place at the Diamond Rock Club on May 4th, with support from Baleful Creed.

Bringing the 80s Brimstone to 2013

IT was the decade that style forgot; a decade of floppy fringes, stupid baggy trousers, Boy George immitators and balaclavas were de rigeur for various terrorists alphabet soup named organisations. Amidst these fashion abominations rock 'n' roll rose, defiant: cocking its collection nose at these weaklings.

Despite the hard rock and metal's own fashion abominations (Poison, Motley Crue amongst others spring to mind) the music and the attitude was an antidote to the miserable gets into 'New Romance' and the perfect antibiotic to the destruction of industry by Thatcher and her ilk.

In 2013 we no longer have the Cold War politics of Reagan and Thatcher, but we do have the 'terrorist threat'. We don't have Thatcher, but we do have Tories in de facto control and selling off the country's assets like the Royal Mail.

Agree or disagree with the politics it feels that the time is ripe for the hard rockers and metalheads to rise again; cut-off denims, high tops and bullet belts are long overdue a return as fashion items and there is a need of a musical landcape on the scene that encompasses thrash, glam and all the glitterati attitude that bands in the 80s adopted.

Amidst the local rising stars Maverick seem to have been caught in a time warp, as if transported from the era of Cinderella, Faster Pussycat and Guns 'n' Roses to 2013. And that is no bad thing.

Their five-track ep released earlier this year (we're catching up on a backlog of reviews) Maverick make a statement of intent; a statement that this is our way, this is the 80s way, hop on the rollercoaster or piss off.

This is music that makes you want to cruise in the car, volume cranked and the wild abandon that comes with knowing a beer and a gig is a few short minutes away from you.

This is music that transports you to an era when this type of rock was pure escapism. And we need that now just as we did in the 80s.

That's not to say that this ep is flawless. While self-titled opener Maverick and closing track Easy Come Easy Go are tremendous songs, at times the production and mix seem a bit off. The cymbals are very priominent at the expense of the bottom end at times. Singer Davey Balfour has a unique voice, but needs to move to having his own identity, because the echoes of Tom Keifer are a little too noticeable.

Lyrics are a little too misogynistic at times - one of the more distasteful side of 80s rock that we should have moved on from.

Set those issues aside and put simply these are five tracks that are fun. Songs you can enjoy rocking out to.

With the statement of intent of 'Maverick' first to assault your aural senses with lead solos and the defiant cry "Stop us if you Dare" it is a quick rampage through the sleaze of 'Cat Got Your Tongue", the challenge to Satan on 'Helfire & Brimstone' before 'Top Heavy' punishes and 'Easy Come, Easy Go' rounds things up with a more considered attitude.

Already Maverick have carved out a place on Northern Ireland's live circuit, delighting fans who remember the 80s and those discovering the music of the era for the first time.

This is a collection of five songs that are a foundation to build upon for live shows and what we sincerely hope will be more releases.

Yep - as they say: "Fists in the air!"

Moody, melodic, post-hardcore, post punk...WTF

A REVIEWER in a Belfast newspaper last week described a band as: "Moody. melodic, post-harcore, post-punk, informed, indie rock".

What in the name of Lemmy is that? Regular readers of this blog will know that we detest labels. Sometimes they are useful to help classifications, but we usually stick with 'metal', 'hard rock', or 'punk'.

If you get another helpful definition like 'groove', 'doom' or 'death' then you can usually tell what's coming. And we happily report on anything within our range from Journey to Zombified.

We happily take hard rock in the AOR spectrum to the heaviest that Nuclear Blast, Grindscene and Metal Blade can offer.

Which makes it all the more irritating that reviewers spend all their time with hair splitting and labelling.

Then when it all comes down to it we turn the pages of today's Belfast Telegraph to see an initiative that promises support for up and coming local talent. Where's the hard rockers in the line-up? Where's the metal bands? Not one can be seen in this line-up of no doubt earnest shoe gazers.

So, if you are an up and coming band in the hard rock, metal or punk genre let's see you knocking your pans out and we'll at least give you the backing. Following on from ou recent review of 7 Days Dead (from Northern Ireland) we'll be reviewing Cursed Sun's (also from Northern Ireland) excellent Premomitions shortly and Triggerman's (another one from Northern Ireland) support slot with Orange Goblin this Sunday coming.

To all the local hard rock, metal and punk there are sites and local radio stations out there that have your back - you don't need to pander to the pretentious and be all moody, melodic, post-harcore, post punk to get a listen.

And don't forget that you can still enter the competition to win a pair of tickets to see Orange Goblin on January 27th by clicking here. But remember you only have until 5pm today (21st January).

A million sins and dollar saints

JOHN Cougar Mellancamp once said that rock music had begun to bore him, because it was the same three or four chords just changed around a bit. Mr Mellancamp's boredom could be cured quite easily here in Northern Ireland where whiskey-soaked and beer drenched good times show the true path of hard rock.

And, he could do worse than check out the sinners, the saints and the party underway as Million$Reload unleash their new album shortly.

But, what is more this is a band that is aware of just what it is, just what it does and understands that clichés are all part of the magic of rock - after all a chliché by its very definition comes into common use because of the fact that it has rather tautalogically become a truism.

Rather than try to ignore the path of goodf honest hard rockin' Million$Reload's latest offering's penultimate track - Pretty People - acknowledges that in the bar rooms and the clubs rock - and its bastard spawn are cluttering up the world with the very worst chat up lines...and from that clutter A Sinner's Saint emerges head a shoulders above the many pretenders.

It's an album that is best enjoyed either speeding down the motorway with the top down, or in a packed house, beer flowing and a crowd of raucous mates. Live Million$Reload deliver and to a large extend A Sinner's Saint captures that energy.

Opening with the statement of intent Fight the System it is followed by a brace of tracks - Bullets In The Sky and Blow Me Away - that have more hooks than a shark fisherman; singalong, raise your fist songs.

But anthems and catchy choruses are not the only things that Million$Reload can deliver. Boy bands and R&B artists will be sucking the barrels of 9mms at the thought that bands from Northern Ireland can produce tracks like Broken. Rather than trying to re-invent the wheel on Broken Million$Reload just make it run smoother than melting cream off any body part you choose. And what is more Broken is life-affirming...

Amidst the party rockin' there is a lyrical depth, with Broken, Pretty People and album closer It Ain't Over all showing that just because some people think hard rock is dumb ass music doesn't mean it is.

Singer, Phil Conlon delivers the lines with aplomb and a cock suredness that only frontmen intent on getting their lungs a solid workout really can. And he is sure about what A Sinner's Saint stands for.

“Rock ‘n’ roll is escapism…you can forget about your everyday troubles and woes, rock out, sing and scream along, have a beer and a smoke!” he said “It’s nothing new, this kind of balls-out rock ‘n’ roll, but it’s been buried away these last few years because too many people in the industry wrote it off as old fashioned and out of touch, but people are beginning to realise what proper rock ‘n’ roll really is!”

With the twin guitar attack of Andy Mackle and Brian Mallon backed by the ryhthm section of Kie Murray (bass) and Sean McKernan (drums) behind Phil it is easy to believe that it is time for the industry to take off the blinkers and get behind Million$ Reload - they are in the vanguard of a music scene in Northern Ireland that, if the world is a just and proper place, should be given the chance to explode worldwide.

A Sinner's Saint? Lead me to the path of righteous rock oh Sinning Saint...

Across Europe A Sinner's Saint is available on Frontiers Records from 29th June and in North America from July 3rd.