Artist: Black Country Communion
Title: 2
Type: Album
Label: Mascot Records

This classic rock super group landed on planet earth last year, their debut release received rave reviews, listening to album number ‘2’, it is safe to say that the same will happen this time around. BCC features the vocal and bass talents of Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple/Black Sabbath), the guitar wizardry of Joe Bonamassa, drummer Jason Bonham (son of Led Zeppelin legend John) and keyboard player Derek Sherinian (Alice Cooper/Dream Theater). Whilst their debut went straight in for the classic rock mould, ‘2’ exhibits a lot more soul and a whole lot more development. The keyboards are much more prevalent, louder in the mix, one thing the Hughes has mentioned himself, if you have such a talented keyboard player there is no point them being lost in the background.

One of the true gems of this release is ‘The Battle for Hadrian’s Wall’, that features a slow burning acoustic start before progressing to stadium rock proportions when the guitars kick in, not seen since the heady days of Led Zeppelin. In fact, as I listen to this, I have goose bumps, the like not seen since I first heard that classic album ‘Physical Graffiti”. Yes it is that good! ‘Save Me’, lyrically penned by Jason for Led Zeppelin but never used, has style, warmth and in general, bleeds emotion, especially driven by Hughes’ stellar vocal delivery and song-writing influence. Harder rocking juggernauts like ‘Smokestack Woman’ drive your adrenaline to the point of overflow, whilst the opener ‘The Outsider’ leaves no stone unturned and gives you an insight into where this album will go. At first listen, you may not fall in love with this release, you have to listen hard to appreciate everything on offer, perhaps a cause of the overwhelming joy, but by spin number two, the wealth of talent finally takes control of your senses. Vocal lines and melodies brandish hooks that won’t easily be forgotten, whilst the music itself is a pure group effort, you don’t need to think or refer to the word “project” when you talk about BCC anymore, this is a cohesive Anglo-American unit and the album is a release that plugs a gap that is essentially missing in today’s modern often fickle music industry.

Sit back, relax and embrace the magic. I doubt you will hear such a well rounded classic rock release this year, BCC have dropped a genre defining classic, ‘2’ can sit up there in the rock and roll hall of fame as far as I am concerned, it has such an organic sound, it is a masterpiece of musical expression.

http://www.bccommunion.com

Paul Maddison

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