By Monk
Throughout the annals of rock ‘n’ roll, there have been, and continue to be, artists from whom you know exactly what to expect when you place the needle in the groove of their latest release. Artists who don’t fuck with a formula that is tried and tested and proves to be a surefire, no-brainer, odds-on winner each and every time. Artists who have developed an instantly recognizable sound, either by accident or design. With their mix of Celtic-infused country laconicism, bluegrass gospel inspiration, Irish lyricism and crunching hard rock riffage, Black Star Riders, who are now celebrating a decade which has seen them produce five of the most consistently listenable albums you’re ever likely to hear, have developed just such a reputation. One which this latest opus, which definitely – and defiantly – places them on the right side of rock ‘n’ roll paradise once again.
‘Wrong Side Of Paradise’ is very much a transitional album for the Riders, as it is the first since veteran guitarist Scott Gorham decided to step away from full-time axe-slinging duties. Not that means that his shadow still doesn’t hang large over the band and its sound, because it does, as there are very recognizable historical miens buried, not so deeply in many places, contained within many of the album’s musical passages, with subtle harmonics counterpointing the (Almighty reminiscent) punkier elements which also play their all-important part in the overall BSR sound.
In this latter respect, ‘WSOP’ also sees frontman Ricky Warwick firmly step forward and consolidate the position he has been slowly establishing throughout the Riders’ decade-long career – that of undisputed commander-in-chief of this particular group of rock ‘n’ roll rebels, transitioning from the one-time hired help drafted in to resuscitate an ailing, over-played brand to the leader of a vibrant, relevant and exciting musical tour-de-force as capable of headlining huge arenas as they are comfortable sweating it out in back alley clubs, just like true troubabours.
It could be argued that, outside of his solo material, ‘Wrong Side…’ contains some of Warwick’s most “homesick” material, littered as liberally as it is with affectionate, if albeit characteristically acerbic and acidic, references and homages to his homeland and upbringing, from the subtle analogy of the title track through the copious autobiographic references in the left-right punch-laden barrage that is ‘Pay Dirt’ (“my heart belongs to Belfast, my soul belongs to Glasgow”) and ironically-titled ‘Green And Troubled Land’. And how many people in his native city are going to append the words “wee lad” to the end of the title of latest single, ‘Catch Yourself On’?
But, at it’s heart – and heart is what it’s all about, after all – ‘Wrong Side…’ is a classic rock ‘n’ roll album, through and through, laden to its brim, indeed overflowing it, with huge hooks, rambunctious riffs, memorable melodies and choruses so infectious that it will take the pharmas a millennium to even sniff at a cure for them. Try as hard to be cynical as I can, I have to honestly say that I cannot find a weak moment on this album, nor a chink in its rock ‘n’ roll armour. It is a keystone release for the new year, setting down a defiant marker for the rest of 2023. To paraphrase, or misquote, Mr Warwick: “it’s not OK to be OK…” You’re gonna have to be a lot better than that if you’re even going to dream of taking on the Riders, ‘cos they’ve already left you lying in the dust of their smokin’ trail…
- ‘Wrong Side Of Paradise’ is released next Friday (20 January). You can get your copy HERE.
Black Star Riders will re-unite with guitarist Scott Gorham and drummer Jimmy DeGrasso, who will be joining bassist Robbie Crane and new guitarist Sam Wood for their tenth anniversary ÜK tour next month, kicking off in Ricky Warwick’s home town of Belfast on Saturday 11 February, and then hitting the following dates and locations:
- Monday 13 – Nottingham, Rock City
- Wednesday 15 – Norwich, UEA
- Thursday 16 – Ipswich, Corn Exchange
- Friday 17 – Manchester, O2 Ritz
- Saturday 18 – Wolverhampton, KK’s Steel Mill
- Sunday 19 – Leeds, O2 Academy
- Tuesday 21 – Cardiff, Tramshed
- Wednesday 22 – Bristol, O2 Academy
- Thursday 23 – Glasgow, SWG3
- Friday 24 – Newcastle, O2 City Hall
- Sunday 26 – London, O2 Shepherds Bush Empire