CHRIS BROCKBANK -- CIRCLES
A line from
the 1979 hit single by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet band best sums up
Chris Brockbank’s new album, Circles.
‘Today's
music ain't got the same soul, I like that old time rock 'n' roll...’
Like the
title of the song, Old Time Rock ‘n’ Roll is what Chris Brockbank does best.
As if to
illustrate this, his new CD kicks of with a song, which has a really 70’s
Deep Purple feel to it. One O’Clock sees Chris capturing a bluesy, yet
rock-based, retro feel with his vocals echoing the gentler side of Ian
Gillan.
Track two,
So Clear, continues the bluesy theme of the opener, but takes the tone down
a notch or two. Think Joe Bonamassa and you won’t be far off the mark.
In the
album’s liner notes, Chris explains how he’s taken great care to reproduce
the live sound of his band in the studio. “It’s all about the music,” he
says. And this attitude comes blasting out of the speakers and straight at
you! It sounds like a live performance, which gives the listener an air of
excitement as the band plough through their ‘set’.
One of the
highlight’s of the album is Street Life. The heavier rock riff suits Chris’
voice. It’s Sammy Hagar meets The Rolling Stones with its infectious guitar
line, which pauses, every now and again, to allow the vocals free rein.
The title
track, Circles, has an almost prog-rock style opening with organ, drums,
bass and guitar in harmony. You can almost see the smiles on the faces of
the band as they play!
The middle
section of the album, though, sees the band take a slower, gentler hand with
songs such as Teenage Fantasy, I Don’t Care, and the artfully crafted ballad
Miss You.
But rather
than fade away, the album ends in upbeat fashion. The catchy and hard
rocking riffs to the last four songs of the album, Bridge Boogie, Lies,
Secret and Rapid Fire, leaves the listener wanting more.
‘Keep On
Rock ‘n’ Rolling...’ sings Chris on the track of the same name mid-way
through the album. It’s a sentiment that sums up this CD. Honest and rockin’
to the core!
Jeff
Collins
Author of
“Rock Legends at Rockfield”, contributor to Classic Rock Magazine UK and
Station Manager and host of Sunshine FM UK