Status Quo
Under the Influence

1999. After a period of hits throughout the 70s and 80s, Status Quo, in the 90s, swung between decent successes and commercial flops. The last album released in the decade is this Under the Influence.

They may not be the most famous, but snubbing a band like them is sad. Very sad. Because yes, they, precisely they, Status Quo, the pioneers of European boogie rock, do nothing but energize you and brighten up a somewhat melancholic day. They bring back your smile and hit you straight to the heart with their powerful, direct, and uncomplicated rock; straight as an arrow, as that Twenty Wild Horses opens the album, and which is counted among the absolute best songs of the band. An exceptional intertwining of guitars for a song that is positive yet reflective, rough and melodic at the same time, which generally becomes the most appreciated of the album, and also becomes part of the solo repertoire of frontman Francis Rossi.

Next, we have the title track (accompanied by Bob Young's harmonica) and Round and Round, well-executed tracks in their most classic boogie rock style. Shine On is a more elaborate and experimental piece, which I don't particularly appreciate and find a bit boring. It continues with a certain variety of styles: Little White Lies is a mainly acoustic piece that vaguely recalls the style of Fleetwood Mac, while Keep 'Em Coming is rough and boisterous rock. If Little Me and You is light and cheerful rockabilly, Making Waves and Blessed Are the Meek, certainly among the album's highlights, are respectively a powerful and portentous rock and roll and a country rock with a sublime electro-acoustic arrangement. They are followed by the blues rock, in which the harmonica returns, of Roll the Dice and the cover of a classic from the past, Buddy Holly's Not Fade Away.

Closing the album is a lesser classic, The Way it Goes, one of those songs that hit you straight to the heart not only for the power of the rock within the piece but for the happiness they transmit to you. It invites you to take things more lightly and move on… You must carry on! It is the most known track of the album after Twenty Wild Horses, and it is the only one that represents the album in the 2015 compilation Accept No Substitute; certainly a well-chosen selection, although I would have added for the popularity (and especially for the beauty of the piece) also Twenty Wild Horses.

Having said that, I highly recommend this album, which, while not very popular, I consider certainly among the best of the band (I add that my favorite Quo albums are from the late 70s onward), as well as a great companion for those who want just an hour of pure rock and roll, the simple and genuine one, yet of quality.

Until next time!