But then I heard a couple of tracks of this "Chapter IV" and you know, it sounded totally, utterly different. I mean, much better! So I gave it a chance and here are my findings:
1. DAYS, MONTHS, YEARS
My first thought was... Damm! This sounds bloody great! Undoubtedly who ever was recording at the studio know what is doing. They have done a class job here and everything sounds clear and sharp.
And then the song... punk-rock, yes, but with a celtic / folk scent. If this track was signed by The Dropkick Murphys or The Flogging Molly, it would be streaming in every Radio Station. It is, simply, a brilliant great track ⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. NO RULES
Here I started loving the the sound of the bass. This guy is class. The song is more classic punk, even in the way that the second singer does the job. Well structured and epic final part ⭐⭐⭐
3 THE TIME IS NOW
Again a bass-drums intro, with a melodic guitar-riff joining later on. Quieter track, more in line with the style I remembered from this band. Very interesting change in the middle of the song but a bit too melodic for my taste. ⭐⭐
Again a bass-drums intro, with a melodic guitar-riff joining later on. Quieter track, more in line with the style I remembered from this band. Very interesting change in the middle of the song but a bit too melodic for my taste. ⭐⭐
4 LIFE'S A GAMBLE
And back to quicker pace and punk-rock style from our friend the "Singer No.2". This is like watching the Mccartney-Lennon duel in the Beatles... regretfully the verse and the guitar riff of this song are somehow annoying and fail, which is a shame. ⭐⭐
And back to quicker pace and punk-rock style from our friend the "Singer No.2". This is like watching the Mccartney-Lennon duel in the Beatles... regretfully the verse and the guitar riff of this song are somehow annoying and fail, which is a shame. ⭐⭐
5 SIMPLE
Bass-drums intro with bare vocal on top has always worked and sounds great. The guitar strongly joins later with smart riffs and the verse is just an anthem. Bloody brilliant. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bass-drums intro with bare vocal on top has always worked and sounds great. The guitar strongly joins later with smart riffs and the verse is just an anthem. Bloody brilliant. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
6 BACK ON TRACK
Not sure about this one... the first part has again a folkish touch, but then the verse reminds me of a child song or a terrace chant... the weakest one so far. ⭐
Not sure about this one... the first part has again a folkish touch, but then the verse reminds me of a child song or a terrace chant... the weakest one so far. ⭐
7 CARRY ONE
Guitar intro for a change and is a success! Another master class of MR.Bass with the two singers sharing this one and their friends fighting the back vocals corner. All works perfectly and look at me, I still carry on. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Guitar intro for a change and is a success! Another master class of MR.Bass with the two singers sharing this one and their friends fighting the back vocals corner. All works perfectly and look at me, I still carry on. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
8 BLOOD FROM A STONE
As the first song, this has a clear folk influence. I've read somewhere this may be the best song of Booze and Glory ever, although to me is not. It makes me think, not sure why, of a USA country song. Don't get me wrong. It is a really good song but... is this Oi!? No. Punk? No. Do I like it? Oh boy, yes ⭐⭐⭐⭐
As the first song, this has a clear folk influence. I've read somewhere this may be the best song of Booze and Glory ever, although to me is not. It makes me think, not sure why, of a USA country song. Don't get me wrong. It is a really good song but... is this Oi!? No. Punk? No. Do I like it? Oh boy, yes ⭐⭐⭐⭐
9 FOOLS'S PARADISE
Pay attention to this one. Starts kind of slowl with a nice melodic rhythm and again I'm thinking of a cowboy. But then the verse is so catchy and powerful, you will find yourself singing this one in the shower one day. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pay attention to this one. Starts kind of slowl with a nice melodic rhythm and again I'm thinking of a cowboy. But then the verse is so catchy and powerful, you will find yourself singing this one in the shower one day. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
10 VIOLENCE AND FEAR
Well played anti-violence track. Too quiet, too nice for me ⭐⭐
Well played anti-violence track. Too quiet, too nice for me ⭐⭐
11 LAST JOURNEY
Very similar to the previous one. Slow song trying to deliver a message but fails to catch ones attention except for the final part of the song, which is totally different (and better) ⭐⭐
Very similar to the previous one. Slow song trying to deliver a message but fails to catch ones attention except for the final part of the song, which is totally different (and better) ⭐⭐
12 FOR THE BETTER TIMES
Is that a piano???Yes, this one has a piano. ⭐
Is that a piano???Yes, this one has a piano. ⭐
13 START BELIEVING
As a final track, another B&G song that starts quiet and kind of missing a sparkle, but gets much better at the end with a catchy verse ⭐⭐
As a final track, another B&G song that starts quiet and kind of missing a sparkle, but gets much better at the end with a catchy verse ⭐⭐
In summary, no doubt this is the best album so far from B&G. Extremely advisable and unmissable.
The best: How well they worked in all details, doting Is and crossing Ts.
The worse: maybe, maybe, just maybe the album gets a bit boring at the end. No need to record every song you write.
You will love it if you like... Booze and Glory.
Followers in Spotify: 20,027 (December 18)
You will love it if you like... Booze and Glory.
Followers in Spotify: 20,027 (December 18)
