From Northern Ireland comes The Answer, a retro-rock band (hard rock/heavy metal) that is not so retro with their first album, Rise. This album has been out for some time, but I thought it fitting to give it a review before the new album, Everyday Demons, finds its way out of Northern Ireland. Not only that, I think this album has mostly been ignored in the United States for no good reason. Thanks ACDC for taking them out on the road with you to help with the noise pollution.
I’ll not start this review with saying that they sound like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. I’ll start by saying that Jimmy Page thinks these guys are the best new rock band around. I’ll also say that Phil Lynott’s mother gave Micky Waters his bass. For those not in the know: Phil Lynott was the late great singer/bass player for Thin Lizzy. I’ll continue to say that The Answer sounds like a band form L.A. in the late 80′s called Salty Dog, but that doesn’t mean they are even close to a hair band. If that doesn’t give you enough reason to push play, then you might be at the wrong web site.
I’ve listened to this album a few times over the past year, for this review I sat in my easy chair in my perfect spot in front of my B&W speaker and let this motherfucker rock. Starting out with Under the Sky, it was hard for me to stay in my seat as this heavy boogie-woogie came on like a controlled train wreck. The next rack, Never Too Late almost exploded my brain. This is the track that I think most sounds like Salty Dog with the bass driven groove.
After you get through the opening couple of tracks, The Answer has let you know they are a rock band in a big way and you will be able to listen to the rest of the album savoring each song while anticipating the next. As a rock fan, you will find most everything that you want including a little heavy blues with Memphis Water, the pile driver of Come Follow Me, and the straight rocker Into the Gutter.
Of course, The Answer did not neglect the ballad with Always. They manage to slow down a bit with some great acoustic guitar and Who-esque effects. This is a strong song with a build up and climax like a classic ballad.
My favorite tracks are Come Follow Me, Never Too Late, Leaving Today… Listing my favorite tracks does seem like a bit of a cop-out because frankly there is no stinker here. Every song serves its purpose well and as a whole, this album is pile of heaping goodness and was instantly a favorite of the new stuff in my collection.
Some have called The Answer a retro band. That may be because they don’t use gimmickry or trickery to get you to listen, they simply rock you. While I am a fan of The Darkness, this is nothing like that. For the record, the only thing this band has in common with Led Zeppelin is the great rock songs and a similarly voiced singer.
Everyday Demons should be out soon, we’ll hope that it has the same fire. I’ll give it a chance to be in my collection without question.
Learn more about The Answer at their official web site.
(Note: A couple of readers have asked me why I don’t call albums CDs. ”Is it because you listen to vinyl?” they ask. Honestly, I don’t listen to CDs or vinyl. My collection is completely digital in a lossless format as to preserve the music fidelity. I have spent way too much money on speakers and gear to listen to crappy lossy formats like mp3. I stream this music from a server out to analog equipment for my enjoyment. I use the word album because it seems generic enough and defines the collection of songs by an artist.)
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