Review: Black Country Communion 'V' (hard rock/blues rock)
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- Опубликовано: 28 авг 2024
- Join Pete Pardo for a review of the new album from veteran hard rock supergroup Black Country Communion, 'V'. #blackcountrycommunion
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I HOPE it's a sign of things to come!!! I want to see this band live. Lots of bass on this album, Glenn's voice sounds incredible.
Another winner in the BCC catalog. I wish these guys would tour.
Hey Pete. I've been anxiously waiting for this album ever since I heard that the band was working on it. The record surpasses all my expectations. It's already in my personal Top Ten of the year.
This is one of those (many) bands that came to personal attention after finding the SoT channel over 4 years ago. Have enjoyed listening to them since and this album is in that group as well. It's on the purchase list. Appreciate your inclusion of this in your weekly new product episodes even after Rick LaBonte's review on the recent Review Crew episode. Always appreciate your thoughts and these weekly new product episodes. Thanks, Pete.
Needs more Sherinian!!! Other than that, good rocking album
Derek RULES/ love it brother. Enjoy day 👍💯
@@garyjoyce2160 Thanks Gary, you as well
Eric?!?! Not LESS Keyboards, MORE guitar??!?! Is this AI Eric? ;-)
@@jazzpunk haha!!! Don’t get me wrong, always more guitar, but Derek is underutilized on many tracks
A really great band with four veteran musicians and legends
in their other music projects and bands over the years and
this is a great review of them Thanks as always Pete.🎵🎶🎼
I would LOVE to see these guys live!!
Like them, i got the whole five albums.wanted to start with the first one. like it so far. Thank you for telling me about them.
Great description of The Open Road . Reminds me a little of Makes You Wanna Cry by Trapeze. With some later period Free mixed in. Definite Kossoff vibes on this record.
Seems like a strong album. A tour with these guys would be nice!
Already got my copy. The Communion on top form. Great album.
The Open Road verse lick is very reminiscent of 3 Day Funk by Badlands.
THEIR best yet!!! IMO
Agreed Pete about Joe’s guitar playing on this album.
It reminds me alot of BCC '2', (which i consider their best) it's as if the band made a conscious decision to return to that formula. There's plenty of hard hitting riffs and power chords spread throughout the album like there was in '2'. They definitely hit it out of the park with this one.
Definitely gonna be in my top 31 for best albums of the year. Killer album. 4.5/5
That's where I'm at as well..✔.
Skyway, Love and Faith, and Red Sun are the two standout tracks for me. Some songs sound like they are treading water (which is fine)...you are right about Joe's playing. It sounds like he is channeling his inner Kassoff and Presence-eara Page on this album. His playing fits and sounds amazing.
Still wish this band could figure out a way to utilize the talents of the keyboard player a bit more...I like this one better than their last two but not as good as the first two.
This one has really grown on me over the last few days. I love the restraint Joe shows on this album. His rhythm tone is massive. I appreciate it being a little stripped back. I'm finding that I'm liking it more and more with each listen.
Same for me! Gets better with each listen. I also appreciate Joe's restraint.
Call me crazy but the record gave me huge Audioslave/ late Soundgarden vibes, the vocals are so similar to those from Chris Cornell. Really liked it.
Just a great album! Period!
I agree that the album is “ back loaded” more. Especially enjoy the last two tracks. Good album 👍.
Bcc always awesme
Hi, Pete. Many thanks for your review and thoughts on this latest effort from B.C.C. I feel that we are on the same wavelength on this album. Several outstanding songs, many good/very good and a couple of above average. Nothing bad here, but the ordering of the set (as you've pointed out) possibly could be improved.....
I've had a go at reordering them, if you read this Pete, feel free to have a listen (if you can find the time) and see if it makes a difference....
Too Far Gone
Enlighten
Red Sun
Stay Free
The Open Road
-------------------
You're Not Alone
Letting Go
Skyway
Restless (reminds me of Mistreated a bit)
Love and Faith....
Ps. Anyone who doesn't know this band well but really likes their songs and wants to get all of their albums - There's actually 6, not 5. The 3rd album is a double disc called 'Live Over Europe'. Afterglow is the 3rd studio album. Thanks again, Pete. Keep up the great work on this extremely informative channel 👏
Still awaiting delivery of my copy, looking forward to hearing it. Saw BCC's first gig at Wolves Civic Hall back in 2010, JST was support artist.
Love Derek in Darwin also. 3rd album just came out.
IMO Five Steps On The Sun is better than V - and I like V quite a bit
Took a few listens to really connect with this album. Dialled in now and would give it a four out of five. Agree with Pete some further interplay between the guys would be welcome. Love the nod to Trapeze (Open Road). Highlights include, Too Far Gone, Red Sun, Enlighten and The Open Road.
Joe is a huge fan of Paul Kossof, and has mentioned him throughout Joe's career....Kossof was dangerously good...
...when he wasn't too high to play (this started way back with Free). In turn Kossoff probably learned some things from Peter Green during those 60's gigs with Black Cat Bones when supporting Fleetwood Mac
@@wolf1977.... Agree!!
Really hoping to get the vinyl (to go with my CD) but it's been hard to find! I even made 2 trips to the USA this month, and it was never in stock at my usual record stops. AGREE with Pete on this album maybe being backloaded (and gets better as it goes on!) \m/
Long live Glenn Hughes !...
I think it’s probably a solid album. It’s been a while since they released an album.
Interesting, my perception is different but that's the interesting thing about listening to music. I think the album is very front loaded: The first four songs are spectacular. I also really dig Love and Faith. The middle stuff and the last two songs are solid. Overall I think IV is their best album, but this one isn't their worst so far. They haven't done a bad album as of yet. If the quality of the album was just like the first half all the way through it would've been album of the half year for me.
Agree. I rate IV as their best by far but this one is really good. Vinyl version of the new one has 3 bonus live tracks with 2 from IV - Sway and Wanderlust!
Vinyl has three live tracks from previous albums which are really good and its a great recording to boot!
I'd put V above their weakest being Afterglow.
Interesting. To me this is their best album since the second one... Amazing album!
Another good album by the band. Not many surprises 4 out of 5. Sometimes we appreciate these albums as we listen to them through the year.
4 out of 5 feels about right. Maybe 4.5 now that I'm re-listening to some of the tracks. I do think this one's their best yet...
Maybe age is catching up with me. This album seems okayish but a little 'safe'. Much prefer another recent purchase i made of Glenn Hughes's Soul Survivor album which seems much more exciting and creative.
My favourite tracks is “The Open Road,” a funky rock track that shifts into a heartfelt solo by Joe Bonamassa. His playing on this track channels Paul Kossoff from Free’s “Mr. Big,” creating a moving homage to the legendary guitarist. Phil
I kind of feel the same Pete. I adore this band and their first four albums blew me away. I couldn't wait to hear 'V' but even after 5 full spins the album hasn't hit me like the others. Don't get me wrong, I like it, but it just isn't as good as their previous releases. 👍
I just miss the type of artwork of the previous albums, that logo is so good! 🍺🤘
I haven’t listened yet but it seems this band tries to hold back as much as possible since everyone knows they’re such great musicians.
Love the album
And my wish with them is usually more keyboard solos.
But really cant complain too much
Intetesting. I thought it was front-loaded?
My favorite is BBC IV But V may overtake it I love everything about even the cover art & booklet. It will be in my top 10 / 20 for 2024.
Vinyl version has 3 bonus tracks on side 4 including 2 from IV. No lyric insert though which is a bummer. Great album for sure.
On first listen I wasn't hearing enough JOE BONAMASSA on this record (for my tastes). The thing is: without enough Joe-or Derek for that matter-BCC in general really starts to sound like a lot of Glenn's "solo" projects over the last 10 years.
I gave this a 4/5. But I think it's a case of the parts being greater than the whole. Many songs have a "rehashed BCC" feel to it. I think Joe's riffs really save the album. Glenn's vocals are always great but Sherinian is used too sparingly.
Very fair review. I do really dig Stay Free, Restless and some of the second half. Probably won't make my top 10 in 2024 with how stacked things are so far.
@@tomp8463 yes, very stacked yr
Agreed. Glenn is giving a lot of effort. The others have their moments, but don't seem as into it.
@@garyh.238 some ppl seem to really like it. maybe when i get back to it it'll warm up some more for me.
@@independenceltd. Ditto. A few more spins might be needed.
I wasn't blown away by this one, okay for a listen or two but nothing really memorable. Given the lineup, one could expect more. 5/10
I definitely get the Paul Kossoff reference - and I know that Phil Aston said the same thing on his channel.
It's a good solid record, and sure to get better with more listens, though my favorite has been Afterglow because that record has Glenn Hughes written all over it.
The album seems a little restrained but the songs and riffs are great! Still a fantastic record.
Rick talked about the Paul Kossoff sound / influence in his review.
I would bet my left nut that if these guys would go on tour they would sell out the arena. So many people wish they would tour. All there albums kick ass. Good review Pete.
🤘
Only listened to it once. A bit underwhelmed. It's okay and it's the only BCC album I've listened to. Maybe a few more listens. For now 3.5/5.
The only black country communion I own is a sampler CD with the best songs of the first three albums I think, maybe four? Does anyone know about the sampler disc from classic rock magazine.
Took me a couple listens. I like it enough though. 2nd one still the best for me
Is it weird that i love Glenn's records with Voodoo Hill as much as BCC?
Not a bad BCC album this time around, but not their best. Glenn Hughes as usual, gives it 110% in the vocals and bass departments. Bonham & Sherinian are basically the backing band and show the odd flourish here and there, but nothing spectacular. As for Bonamassa's guitar work, sure some of it is tasty and restrained and there are a few good riffs; but he just doesn't sound "into" the project. I do wish this time around, that JoBo would go tools down for awhile on his own solo career, and commit to being a BCC team player, and get this thing out on the road.
Hey Gary, great seeing you on here. Hope all is well.
@@tomp8463 Hi Tom! How are you? I dip my toe here in the SoT waters from time to time. Still dealing with the gremlins that eat and delete my posts. Hoping that will correct itself over time.
@@garyh.238 , Melaniie told me about it but I remember I saw one of your comments in frustration. This page and facebook are both terrible in general.
@@garyh.238 , yes, this page and FB are pretty bad. Lol
I think Sherinian sounds fine on this album & I'm OK with Bonham. Hughes is the focal point for sure & sounds great as usual. JB is OK (but then I'm not a huge fan)
Listened once. Left me cold. Why do I feel so low?
A Glenn Hughes fan here, going back to 1973 (came in on 'You Are The Music...'). I have always found the BCC lineup to be a bit of an awkward fit. And 'supergroup'? They've yet to prove that. Also Kevin Shirley is a formulaic producer better suited for the 1980s. The sound of BCC albums lacks air - nothing breathes.
IMO, Glenn is the most capable singer in rock. But as great as his is wailing on riffy rock tunes (which very quickly all sound the same because there is no content), he is best when he gets funky. That requires feel from the band. Trapeze were funky. Purple could get funky. Black Country Communion is NOT funky. It might have swagger, but aside from brushes with the prerequisite feel for funk it is just too leaden. I don't mean that as a slight, just as an observation. Led Zep weren't funky either. But they had swagger thanks to John Bonham's Bernard Purdie influences and John Paul Jones wishing he were James Jamerson. Jason Bonham lightening up and developing some swing in his feel coupled with Glenn playing more melodic bass lines (i.e., don't be so thudding simple) would help. Joe sounding reminiscent of Kossoff is a plus, though it would be great if he copped some of Mel Galley's sprightly feel from Trapeze.
When it debuted, I purchased the first BCC album before getting rid of it after a couple plays. Being a serious Glenn fan, I couldn't listen to it. I feel the same with the latest. However, given the excitement expressed here about certain tracks I will go have another listen.
Maybe if this 'band' hit the road for a year it would develop to the point where the various qualms so many of us share - questionable tunes included - would be resolved.
Joe’s solos have no balls, no shredding and kind of boring when you consider how rocking the album is, I still like the album but if Joe stepped it up like he did in the first 2 albums then this would be on a whole other level for me
Very good record IMO, to me better than their prior BCCIV. Actually I'd rate this one as their best so far. If you're looking for live BCC material there's Live Over Europe from 2011, For me the main attractions in this band are more Sherinian/Hughes than Bonamassa. I think he's a fine player but I haven't quite drank the Cool-Aid that sets him out as 'the savior of modern guitar blues'...
Speaking of Bonamassa just got his Live At The Hollywood Bowl With Orchestra - honestly probably could've done without the orchestra. Skipped the slower tunes, also some of the longer tracks don't quite hold me for the duration, but overall it's an OK album. Some of these tracks were already available on other live JB albums...BCC's a fine band, hopefully they continue on...
Other good new stuff:
Lake Street Dive/Good Together - really good band with solid 60's/70's influences
Darwin/Five Steps On The Sun - jazz/metal/rock/prog, with Simon Phillips. Stellar cast of characters too: Derek Sherinian, Mohini Dey, Greg Howe, Matt Bissonette, Andy Timmons
Eels/Eels Time! - long time (early 90's) rock band
Sykofant - s/t, their debut. Norwegian prog
Cody Dickinson/Homemade - only my 2nd Dickinson album (after 2016's Leeway For The Freeway)
Quinn Sullivan/Salvation - nice blues/rock (finally back to this style since the 2013 Getting There). Good live cover of "Eyesight To The Blind"
Didn't really appeal to me so much but might to others on SoT: The Omnific/The Law Of Augmenting Returns. Bandcamp calls them: "The world’s most prominent bass driven instrumental rock act". If you're a bit more adventurous musically than me & like your prog on the heavier/metal side check them out. The playing's pretty crazy. They have at least 3 other albums out...
Special mentions for:
1) New archival Jack Bruce set called Smiles And Grins: Broadcast Sessions 1970-2001. This is a MUST OWN for any Bruce fan, it's a 4 disk set (plus 2 BD's) of live shows with Colosseum & his own band at the BBC, on Grey Whistle Test, the Jazz In Britain show & Beat Club appearances (most from the 70's). This is fantastic with good sound quality - and I don't even have the 2 BD's (which feature Clem Clempson/David Sancious/Billy Cobham)!
and...
2) Carmen - The Albums: 1973-1975. Spanish flamenco/prog band (with some Glam vibes too) from the 70's - remastered 3 disk box set. Totally unique band. Rolling Stone doesn't get that much right but Carmen did crack their 50 Greatest Prog Rock Albums of All Time list. Wonderful acoustic numbers (like "Por Tarantos") mixed with fairly complex prog rock tracks (somtetimes reminds me a little of Colosseum). Another of those bands that started in the US but 'made it' (to some extent) overseas. This set includes the full albums Fandangos In Space, Dancing On A Cold Wind, and The Gypsies (first time on cd) plus several bonus tracks. John Glascock (Tull) on bass & Paul Fenton (T Rex) on drums, with Tony Visconti (T Rex) producing. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
I used to see Joe in the early 2000s when he was virtually unknown. Good times. He still comes around but I don't go see him. I preferred when he was under the radar.
Like v way better than IV which I think is the weakest one. Love 1,2 and 3!
I probably rank it 4th in their catalog. The third is still my least fav but there is no bad BCC album.
Never been a fan of Bonamassa, on this album he's a drag and he's not the guitarist GH needs. Bonham and Sherinian are simply accompanists. BCC is not a real group, it's just another backing band for Glenn, a real shame. On the other hand and as always Glenn Hughes is excellent
I'm curious as to who you would put in a band with Glenn?
Maybe heresy to some but i would love for the band to throw Joe and his package deal (Kevin Shirley/Weisman) out, have Richie Kotzen to replace Bonamassa. BCC record a new, spectacular album & have them finally tour, not being hindered by Bonamassa refusal to do gigs outside his solo career. Lets keep it real, Kotzen wipes the floor with Bonamassa
No real problem with JB in this band (it's just not the best part for me) but Kotzen would I'm sure be great
@@wolf1977 Fair enough of course, imho they need some fresh input and the weight of the Bonamassa / Weisman org is pulling them down
I love Joe but Kotzen would be a great fit here.😂
Glenn already tried that with California Breed 10 years ago. And it imploded right out of the gate. As for another guitarist, i would recommend Aynsley Lister. Who's style is classic rock, but rocks much harder than Bonamassa.
@@deanladue5367 Loved California Breed, thought it delivered on the promise of BCC, had way more edge and yes, way less success which might have had something to do with Andrew Watt exploding
3/5 ok album. But the names in the band are overrated for me