BRAVE RIVAL – Life’s Machine (2022)

”Life’s Machine” is the name of the debut album of BRAVE RIVAL, a new quintet hailing from Portsmouth who were recently nominated for “Best Emerging Blues Rock Artist Of The Year” at the UK Blues Awards 2022. And we can see why: armed with a twin female vocal assault, this is bluesy hard rock, replete with stunning melodies.
There has been a lot of press on this band of late, deservedly so may I add as they are pretty awesome. BRAVE RIVAL is fortunate in having a hypnotic duo vying for lead and twin vocals in Lindsey Bonnick and Chloe Josephine. Donna Peters plays drums, Billy Dedman plays bass, and Ed Clarke the swirling guitars. They’ve also brought in some incredible extra musicians to bring their songs to life.
The result is a wonderfully varied late ’70s / ’80s inspired song-set of twelve tracks that recalls Heart in their pomp; Girlschool; more than a hint of Pat Benatar; and a bit of Fleetwood Mac at their most classic era.

The CD kicks off in classic rambunctious Pat Benatar style with ‘Heart Attack’, it’s full-on bar-room bluesy hard rock with a nice fat sound, stonking riff, shimmering Hammond, great twin vocals, what’s not to like!
‘Guilty Love’ is again very reminiscent of those 80s mid-Atlantic rock classics. More strong singing, more choppy, meaty guitar work and more drenching of The Hammond – nuff said. ‘Without You’ drops the pace in a soulful, sentimental, blues-washed intro before an anthemic chorus rolls in with beautiful harmonies, driving rhythms and a very classy solo towards the end. It’s another quality song, and the opening trio of numbers certainly raises the curtain on a thoroughly engaging new band.

‘Run and Hide’ takes us back up to Heart / Benatar levels of excitement and energy, catchy as hell with a stellar solo punctuating the dueling vocal harmonies. These guys are right up there in that aforementioned company.
‘Come Down’ is a slow rocker, apparently written in the bath after a gig and describing the inevitable post-show blues. There’s a lovely, poignant solo, and at this point I must say what a genuinely multi-talented find on guitar is Ed Clarke. Together with a massively powerful engine-room performance from Donna and Billy, soaring lead vocals from Chloe, and a big slab of the Bravian Choir (6 vocalists providing backing) this is a slow-building definitive monster of a track.

‘What’s Your Name Again?’ has a downright dirty chugging slide-led riff that the singers can’t help but howl to. Great solo, punishing percussion, this simply has to be played loud.
‘Secrets’ follows, tightly wrapped in an ’80s style and production – eat your Heart out, Annie! Another satisfyingly meaty rocking anthem. ‘Long Time Coming’ follows, a wonderfully crisp, intimate sound-mix that feels timeless and immediately familiar. A classic blues-rock ballad that starts slow, a tasty bit of guitar in the background before building to a crescendo from Lindsey on lead vocals and the Bravian Choir giving it their all – breathtaking.

‘Thin Ice’ features a really taut percussion and bass, a catchy, choppy guitar sound, twin vocals on fire again, a searing solo, all the ingredients of another stadium rocker – I bet these guys are amazing live. ‘Fool of You’ is a funky soul rocker; a wonderful looping bassline, it’s pure gospel at times a la Aretha Franklin. It goes without saying that the vocals are just top class.

The last two tracks ‘Break Me’ and ‘Life’s Machine’ are longer, allowing the band to expand, fully work out and confirm the extent of their talents – ‘Break Me’ is another classic slow-building blues-rocker, such strong vocals, taken to another level by the choir and featuring one of the best bluesy solos you’ll hear this year – it’s a real all-round monster.
And then finally we have the album’s title track, ‘Life’s Machine’. Written during the Covid-19 global pandemic, it’s a heart wrenching, spine tingling and goose-bump inducing rock ballad summing up how it feels to lose someone you love during such a gruelling time. One of two songs to feature a grand piano on the album, it takes the listener on an elegaic journey through delicate verses and mournful choruses all building to an epic crescendo. The song ends with the sounds of ghost-like spirits with the cycle of life complete…

Seriously, this is such a complete piece of work, by such a strong set of musicians backed by a peerless production team, the end result being remarkable for its maturity, depth, sumptuousness and sheer quality.
HIGHLY Recommended

01 – Heart Attack
02 – Guilty Love
03 – Without You
04 – Run and Hide
05 – Come Down
06 – What’s Your Name Again?
07 – Secrets
08 – Long Time Coming
09 – Thin Ice
10 – Fool of You
11 – Break Me
12 – Life’s Machine

Chloe Josephine – lead vocals
Lindsey Bonnick – lead vocals
Ed Clarke – guitar
Billy Dedman – bass
Donna Peters – drums
with:
Hammond, keyboards – Jonny Henderson
Piano – Ian Shepherd
Bravian Choir – Amba Tremain, Leonie Tremain, Bradley Jago Jackson, Marlene Hil, Olivia Haggarty, Faye Carpenter

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