By Chris Rockson

 

Ginger - '10'

 

Wow! This really is something else! It's a collection of songs spanning the last ten years of his solo career, and it is most definitely something you have gotta have in your library! The man has an uncanny talent for song-writing and attaching the best pop-punk/power rock melodies to his lyrics. There truly is something for everyone in this epic collection!

'Sonic Shake' kicks down the walls with an aural assault that is guaranteed to get your attention....it's no wonder this guy ended up playing in a band with Hanoi Rocks front-man Michael Monroe, this is straight outta the same camp as the aforementioned 80's Sleaze Merchants. They always knew how to put a song together, and so does Ginger! they come from the very same school indeed! Fans of Marc Bolan and the 70's glam scene will love this, it's a very natural progression from that genre, and if the curly haired one was alive today, he'd be playing in a band with Ginger, that's a dead-cert!

The 70's theme is articulated in the second number 'Yeah, Yeah, Yeah',[ playing in the background ] reminiscent of The Sweet with it's 'catchier than catchy chorus'....ok, I get carried away every now and then, but you'll know where I'm coming from once you hear it...'How Hard Can You Make It' is pure and clean, just with a twist of Red Hot Chilli Pepper, then it's back to the action again with 'Mother City' - a hark to New York City, the spiritual home of rock n roll culture....at times this reminds me of 'Teenage News' when that other band from NYC played it.

'Anyway But Maybe' starts off with a Black Metal introduction, then falls back into a well constructed song, again, this coulda been in the live set of Hanoi Rocks/Gen X as it weaves through various tempo changes and a great melodic chorus. This really is wonderful stuff and it shows the real creative side to this talent we know as Ginger!

There's a wonderful vibe about 'Black Windows', relaxed and chilled and would fit in with any album by Sting & Co, strangely perfect! 'Church Of The Broken Hearted' touches on a very 1972 Lennon/Ono vibe, featuring some extraordinary vocal performances...a definite favourite for me!

The rest of album is equally as good, each track has a different flavour and theme, and as a bonus, there are two brand new songs included in the deal, 'This Too Will Pass' and 'No Way Out But Through' both showcasing this man's creative song-writing abilities as well as his guitar playing, which is second to none!

With a UK tour planned for December and a visit to these shores during November with Michael Monroe as main support to Motorhead on their annual UK tour, it's a heavy schedule, but one I think the Ginger One will take all in his stride!

Release Date for this album is set for October 10.

See ya on the road!!!

 

 

Chris

Soundcheck Rating

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