I have been waiting eagerly for this release. Loved "Big Foot" but to be honest I am not sure about this at all. It's early as I have only listened through 1/2 times but this just does not fire me up as the first release did.
The songs, although of a high musical standard, don't have the urgency or the foot tapping quality of the first album. This album seems softer - less rock, albeit with some very heart felt lyrics.
Last Temptation - not what I expected. Lyrics different and music seems disjointed - average
Alright Alright - good intro but again very normal, low key guitar sounds like a chart single, little dynamics
Different Devil - ballad, good vocals, subdued guitars on intro, again sounds very middle of the road, AOR but not the "rocking foot"
Up Next - now we are starting to cook, sounds like the business, more agressive guitar and growing on me. Next favourite after "Big Foot"
Lighten Up - sounds prescriptive with little originality, no stand out chorus or middle eight
Come Closer - ballad, great lyrics, great backing vocal harmonies and solo but again seems very formulaic and lacking that "rocking foot"
Three And A Half Letters - very heartfelt, sincere lyrics which really tug on the heart strings in this day and age. Lyrics about pain, distress, lack of work and hardship. Can't fault the sentiment, reminds me of "Avienda Revolution"
Big Foot - you just have to hear the first few bars to know this is "the foot" at their best. This just grooves, it flows, it rocks, it's got the mojo. To me its just got what the rest lack......it's most of the first album..........!
Dubai Blues - lyrics making a point, chorus stronger, harmonies good, Joe "wanging it"... nearly there.....!
Something Going Wrong - ballad but (not a fan of ballads) love the chords and harmonies. Wow, probably one of my favourites on the album
Maybe I have to live with this for a while but there are very few stand out tracks except "Big Foot" maybe that's why it was the obvious first release. Up Next great guitar/delay effects.
I'm going to leave this review here and wait for a week or so after a few more plays but will be interested in my "fellow amazonian's" comments.
Please don't get me wrong and be kind - big Sam fan, Joe fan, MA fan, VH fan but struggling with the some of this....... to be continued...!
Update - 26/10/11
Listened to 3 on a number of occassions but not as many as the first album. If possible would raise score by 0.5 to 3.5-4.0.