Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band
Night Moves

For those who love roots-rock and more generally the American singer-songwriter trend, the absence of debaserian reviews on one of the greatest rockers of all time, namely Bob Seger, is striking. Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Seger debuted in the latter half of the sixties attracted by a love for Motown soul and was part of several garage bands, garnering attention from more famous Detroit-area groups, including the legendary MC5, with songs like "Rumblin' Gamblin' Man," "Heavy Music," and the anti-militarist "2+2=?". However, the creative pinnacle of the artist is undoubtedly marked by the birth, genesis, and decline of the Silver Bullet Band, one of the greatest and most authentic rock machines, composed of Drew Abbott (guitar), Chris Campbell (bass), Rick Manasa (keyboards), and Charlie Allen Martin (drums).
The album in question is, in my opinion, his best studio result, where Bob manages to produce timeless songs by joining the now loyal band with the "Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section," which supports his mastery in skillfully combining repeated listens of various genres in an effective and essential style, as well as the experience amassed over a decade during which he traversed the most diverse currents. It is therefore not surprising to find a mix of reminiscences linked to Chuck Berry ("Rock And Roll Never Forgets"), a voice borrowed from Van Morrison (title track), a song that seems to be the transposition of Jackson Browne's voice ("Mainstreet"), old-style pieces that captivate from the first listen (the magnificent and powerful "The Fire Down Below", the ascending climax of "Sunburst", and the rhythmic perfection of "Sunspot Baby"), another broad ballad like "Ship Of Fools", and the thundering final energy of "Mary Lou". The only track I consider below average is "Come To Poppa", a somewhat strained hard-rock not in line with the other splendid compositions dominated by the faithful interpretation of the most straightforward blue-collar rock.
Magnificent ballads and irresistible blue-collar rock 'n' roll therefore dominate this important document of the American musical, cultural, and social reality of the deepest seventies. Enjoy listening.