By Monk
Since their emergence onto the then NWoBHM dominated ÜK rock scene 40 years ago, FM – who took their name from the ÜS radio platforms from which they in turn drew their initial inspiration – have proven to be one of the most enduring and consistent proponents of the genre. Not that, like many of us, they have not endured their share of travails – a lengthy hiatus and most recently the sudden passing of founding guitarist Chris Overland – but they have always come bouncing back, and are determined to prove that this is the case once again with this, their 14th studio album.
As one would expect, ‘Old Habits…’ is a stridently confident album which doesn’t stray far from FM’s tried and tested formula. OK, the opening section of ‘Out Of The Blue’ does lead us a touch astray with its funky, almost tribal vibe, but we’re quickly down to the business we would expect, which is beautifully polished AOR delivered via huge harmonies, massive melodies and crunching, memorable choruses which ingrain themselves with ease and practised aplomb.
In between, we have interjections of well-positioned guitar solos and a well-blended mixture of hard rockin’ ‘bangers and soaring ballads, each distinctive and cohesive in their own and track-listed in such a way as to deliver the homogeneous fluidity we would expect of a band with such experience and expertise.
Old habits certainly do die hard when it comes to creating great new music, and thankfully so in the case of FM, who have proved once again that, by indulging in those same habits they have produced yet another beautifully crafted and produced album of beautifully crafted melodic rock songs delivered from the heart and with a consummate belief in what they do they do to the best of their ability and with both compassion and passion.
- ‘Old Habits Die Hard‘ is released tomorrow (Friday 3 May).
- FM are currently touring in support of the album:
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