Amazon.co.uk Review
Pete Wylie hasn't had the most successful of careers. Dogged by label problems and ill health--he broke his back in 1995--his excessive bad luck may have perversely been his greatest asset. Wylie is a survivor who, having never had to deal with the distractions of superstardom, has concentrated on writing a succession of top flight songs. As the aptly titled
Songs Of Strength and Heartbreak proves, when it comes to writing big, ballsy epics, The Mighty Wah! is a true master craftsman. Like the
Lightning Seeds crossed with Phil Spector and the
Manic Street Preachers, Wylie lavishes on the grand guitars and swathes of strings for "The Return Of Rock And Roll" and "I Still Love You". Like an over-energised
Clash, he rocks on "Never Loved As A Child" and like a pop genius he mimics
Elvis Presley for gospel closer "The Country Epic (Can't Stop Cryin')". It's an album of passion, joy, pain and big, big sounds; everything you'd expect from a man who calls himself Mighty.
--Dan Gennoe