The Jokers-Hurricane

SPV/Steamhammer
2015

Rocking and rolling it's way into stores later on in September, "Hurricane" is the latest & greatest release from classic rock/hard rock band The Jokers. This UK band's third full-length album, "Hurricane" serves as the naturally follow-up to the 2013's critically acclaimed "Rock & Roll Is Alive" and this highly-anticipated release finds vocalist Wane Parry and guitarist Paul Hurst welcoming in new members Phil Hartley (bass) and Dan Evans (drums). Formed in 2006 (and veterans of the time honored game, "Good Bands with Bad Names!") The Jokers hail from the North West of England and have made a name for themselves thanks to not only top-notch recordings, but rambunctious live shows! Even still this four-piece band has come a long way since issuing their first album, "The Big Rock 'n' Roll Show" back in 2009. Musically-speaking The Jokers have evolved quite a bit if even between their last release and this forthcoming one. While I can still hear the likes of AC/DC, Status Quo, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, The Who, Bad Company, Free, Mott The Hoople, and The Faces* here on their new album (and thank the gods of rock and roll for that!) we're also talking about a smooth yet swaggerlicious sound that has been highly enhanced  by way of bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones! So it's seventies hard rock riffs and sixties rock and roll vocal harmonizing to the rescue then? Why yes it is and I'm glad you asked! Well, I mean (obviously) there is a lot more to it when it comes to The Jokers. Don't (for a second) let me mislead you into thinking it's all as easy as that. There's classic rock, boogie rock and the blues. And you'll also find garage rock and even a bit of progressive rock on this LP. But for here and now and with time always being an issue, "Hurricane" really is the best parts of classic rock rock from the seventies and (amazing) vocal harmonizing as popularized by The Beatles! With that said, "Hurricane" never sounds stale or as if it is dated. If anything this new album finds these UK rockers all but taking over the whole modern day retro rock scene. The production helps push this fresh product right up to the front where it belongs and this band's successful ability as songwriters should keep them there. And since this record is every bit a "record" (as in it's a throwback to the days when LPs actually featured great material from start to finish and were not just a few key singles and filler junk!) fans and newcomers alike will have a whole album's worth of cool rock and roll to enjoy and share with others! With albums like this keeping real rock and roll radio alive the scene looks to be in good hands for the foreseeable future!   


 

*Read my review of "Rock & Roll Is Alive" (linked above) for more on this.

Bad Touch-Half Way Home

Self-Release/Independent
2015


Formed back in November of 2009 while it's members were still serving time in high school and college, Bad Touch are a up-and-coming classic rock and roll band based in Dereham, Norfolk. Comprised of vocalist Stevie, lead guitarist Rob G., rhythm guitarist Seeks, bassist Bailey and a drummer named George, with the bluesy rock of "Half Way Home" serving as their full-length debut, Bad Touch list their influences as being bands like Guns 'N' Roses, Aerosmith, Led Zepplin, Skin, AC/DC and Little Angels. Despite hailing from the UK the band has more in common with the American hard rock scene of the seventies and early eighties as well as the southern rock sound of the band The Black Crowes. And all of that is fine and dandy when it comes to the enjoyable "Half Way Home" as what the band might lack in originality they make up for in enthusiasm and charisma. Having just returned from a 18-date UK tour with The Answer, Bad Touch are all about spreading the gospel of classic rock and barroom blues to the all of those who are dear to their hearts! And of course that has to includes the faithful fans of bands like Led Zepplin and The Black Crowes as Bad Touch drinks from the same cool waters as their heroes once did! If you live in or around that part of the world and you get a chance to check these young rockers out live and in all kinds of brilliant colors then by all means make it so! These young and hip guys are on their way onward and upward with the easy rockin' of "Half Way Home" sure to be a classic album in so time at all! I don't know about the rest of you, but this is the kind of bad touching I can't help but crave! You can find out more about Bad Touch by heading here friends!