This second LP by the quartet from Michigan will again raise Led Zeppelin comparisons, but the derivative 70s rock influence on the Kiszka brothers and drummer Danny Wagner also has vocal echoes of Rush, and especially Slade. It’s not quite “Chriiistmaas!” Noddy Holder style but there is something very much of that ilk here, and let’s not forget how great Slade were in their prime. So this is a proper long, rockin’ out release, opening with a big organ keyboards on Heat Above, and with lush mix of acoustic, electric and Josh Kiszka’s high voice, there’s even a feel of Supertramp here. The songs My Way, Soon and Built By Nations meanwhile seem like recognisable blend of Plant, Page and Holder in their mid-70s Midlands pomp. With 12 songs across more than hour, this is a long album by current standards, and with Broken Bells onwards there is a looser, prog-ballad feel, while Tears of Rain is an acoustic number where Josh’s high-octane vocals, as on some of the slower numbers, slightly fail to match the intimacy required, as his impressive voice is generally turned up to 11. The album is filled with great guitar work by brother Jake, with a blistering opening on The Barbarians, which also has shades of Yes on the keyboard side of things. And on closing track, the epic The Weight of Things, the band are in their element with huge guitar solos and build from acoustic to the full works. As retro 70s rock goes, this certainly lets rip with impressive musicianship. Have a cigar, fellas. Out on EMI.
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