•
Rating: The United Kingdom and Rock music. We could dedicate hours and hours to discussing this topic, not to mention the amount of ink it would take to describe what is, in every way, a perfect combination. There is an abundance of material. And something for every taste. It seems superfluous to once again mention the bands and artists who have made this genre great, yet I am pleased that a brand new group from these lands is making its mark on the global music scene. This time, it’s Northern Ireland.
The Answer could truly be the answer for all the rock orphans who are forced nowadays to endure a stream of more or less rock, more or less commercial bands, but with questionable talent. This band was formed in 2000, with distinctly vintage tastes (immediately bringing to mind Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Black Crowes, and even a hint of Southern Rock), and their first CD (this, “Rise,” indeed) only arrived in 2006, but even in the preceding years, this band began to make a name for itself. In 2005, in fact, the prestigious magazine “Classic Rock” (considered almost a gospel of good rock) elected them as “Best New Band of 2005,” and Deep Purple wanted them to open for several dates of their UK tour. An excellent calling card, even if the true test is called “Rise.”
Their debut album is a blend of all their musical influences, skillfully mixed, carefully avoiding plagiarism, and adding a bit of originality. It's impossible not to think of how important the Led Zeppelin have been for these guys, also because the group’s singer evidently recalls Plant himself. Cormac Neeson is the true added value of this group, singing very well on each track. The single “Never Too Late” is a great hard rock song that has had much success (in addition to selling well, the song is part of the well-known game Guitar Hero), “Memphis Water” is a classy blues rock, and the opening track “Under The Sky” is perfect for showcasing what kind of band this is. All of this is in the first part of the CD. The CD continues well without peaks of excellence but with a more than good overall quality. The skip button seems to be avoided on this CD, where no particular filler tracks are registered. The CD closes with the ballad "Always on my mind," a clear example of a song with more relaxing tones without falling into sweetness. Reaching the end, one gets the impression of facing a band with guts, a band that knows what it's doing and is able to excite with direct and uncompromising rock.
This is not an album that will make rock history. Fundamentally, The Answer haven't revolutionized anything, nor did they change a genre already contaminated by a thousand derivatives. They have tried to revive a genre long dead and buried. The CD sold decently, and their live performances have always received excellent feedback. The band is in good health, as demonstrated by their subsequent discographic episodes. Unlike The Darkness, who exploded quickly as "VintageRock" heroes and then burst like a soap bubble, this group seems to have clear ideas and broad shoulders to avoid repeating certain typical mistakes of novice bands. The pursuit of commercial success doesn't seem to be in the band's future plans, faithful to their personal style. A style that has given them great satisfaction. In this sense, how could they not be proud to open for the gigantic tour of AC/DC? Indeed, these Irish lads opened for most of the dates of the Australian group, always receiving a large amount of applause.
Not bad for a start.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Never Too Late (03:56)
I have been searchin' for ten thousand years
I keep on learnin', yes, learnin' how to ease my fears
Contradictions clearly state
I'm never gonna find you before it's too late
Who could predict a poor man's fate
We gotta keep movin on before it's too late
Listen, talk to me brother, show me how to see
What I have found another man willing to believe like me
Fascination's all around, gotta keep my feet down here on the ground
Can you hear the higher sound
I'm gonna follow on before it's too late
I gotta know, gotta know now, yes I do
Becuase I have met my maker
I have got to know, I do
Because I have met my maker
I have met my maker
I have met my maker
05 Memphis Water (06:08)
Memphis water, washing all your blues away,
Memphis water, you're a hero, so they say, yes
But you're scared to be yourself
You don't wanna be no one else
In case you falter
I'm on the outside, on the outside looking in,
I just met myself on the road
I gotta tell you I'm lookin' pretty thin
But I'm scared to be myself
I don't wanna be no one else
In case I falter
You know how it feels
You tould me to follow my fortune
but you brought me to my knees, hey
You know sorrow, sorrow can be replaced
A blind man said you left without
A trace, you left without a trace
Memphis water, can you see what you have done
You gave us all some sweet, sweet
Cheer, gave us cheer
When we had none
But we're scared to be ourselves
And we don't wanna be no one else
In case we falter
06 No Questions Asked (03:27)
I wanna be your favourite son
Don't wanna be your only one
Free me, come to me, come on free me
I'm gonna find a new religion
I'm gonna follow you
All I want's some recognition
I wanna be somebody too
10 Preachin' (05:57)
Gonna get me a religion
I'm gonna join the Baprist Church, I'm
Gonna get me a religion
I'm gonna join the Baprist Church, that's right
Gonna be a Baptist preacher
So that I won't have to work
Well I'll be in the pulpit, jumpin' up and down
Yeah, I'll be in the pulpit, jumpin' up and down
Well, I'll be hollerin' good news for miles around
My sister jumped up, she began to grin, yeah, she did
My sister jumpted up and she began to grin
She said good Lord have mercy
Please, forgive me for my sins
Forgive me, now
Please, please, please
Now, we're gonna lift me up
Yes, we're gonna lift me up
Tell me do you feel it?
Tell me do you feel alright?
Gonna get me a religion
I'm gonna join the Baprist Church, that's right
Yeah, I'm gonna get me a religion
I'm gonna join the Baprist Church
I'm gonna preach all day
So I don't have to work
Preach all day
So I don't have to work
Gonna preach all day
So I don't work
Preach all day
So I don't, no
Preach all day
So I don't have to work no more
Work no more
Work no more
Work no more!
I ain't gonna work no more!
11 Always on My Mind (05:12)
I packed my bags, moved out of town on my own again.
I learn to live, live off this land by my feet.
You always on my mind,
You always on my mind, but thats just fine
ooooooooooooh
You know I travel far, growing my hair hair over all my eyes.
I just pick my star, and start back again.
But I dont know what to say, and I dont know hat to do, without you.
You were always on my mind
(always on my mind)
You were always on my mind, oh no thats just fine.
Find my soul, leave it alone, won't you rescue me, or take me to home now?
At last I come, come back and ready to fade away.
Til' now,
You were always on my mind,
(always on my mind)
woahohow!
You were always on my mind.
woahohow!
You were always on my mind.
(always on my mind)
hooooow!
You, always on my mind,
oh no thats just fine,
oh no thats just fine,
oh no thats just fine,
Hey!
yeah yeah thats just fine!
Loading comments slowly
