Several months ago I reviewed their interim EP releases Never Too Late on this site. The reason that came out was because many of us had played Rise to death. Not that you can easily grow tired of such excellent stuff. Also, of course, the band was about to embark on the, not so easy prospect, of opening for AC/DC.
That done, and done superbly well, it’s time for this, the new album, Everyday Demons. Do they deliver? Well the answer has to be a resounding, foot stomping, long haired, dirty jeans, whisky bottled, fired up amp, riff rocking, sweaty, YES.
I am going to try and avoid possible comparisons with early Led Zeppelin, and go for one that slaps me across the face several times throughout Everyday Demons, The Black Crowes. The Answer, like the early Crowes, unashamedly tap into the huge well of magic created by the hard rock scene of the late sixties and early seventies.
It’s been done to various degrees by various bands ever since, of course. The Answer are now right up there with the best of them. They succeed in giving it a shot of 2009 adrenalin that reignites the format and makes it continue to be relevant.
Lead singer Cormac Neeson has clearly been gargling diesel in the rear of their van, if they still have to use one. Guitarist Paul Mahon has doubtless sold his soul at the crossroads leading to Riffville. Bass player Michael Waters and drummer James Heatley provide a powerhouse that would rival the national grid. This is hard rock, as it was always intended to be.
From the opening salvo of “Demon Eyes” right through to the bonus track “Revolution” The Answer never waste an opportunity. It’s the proverbial b***s to the wall rock.
“Too Far Gone” has me thinking back to a time that I feared was nearly gone. “On And On” provides the first single from the album and is a track easily strong enough to turn yet more of the rock hungry buyers out there on to The Answer.
Article comments
1 - ellis
I'm listening to them right now in vancouver bc and they're rocking the crap outta bc place. Good to see some rock bands refuse to be soft.the voice reminds me of macaffertys voice from naz if naz was harder and younger