THE BAD FLOWERS – Starting Gun (2018)
British rockers THE BAD FLOWERS have been making some noise lately, and debut album “Starting Gun” is set to be released on Friday 16th February 2018. These guys are part of the new wave of rock bands that are really making their mark on the music UK scene at the moment, especially bringing back classic rock to the masses. In the case of The Bad Flowers, blues-drenched traditional hard rock.
From the monstrous opening riff of ‘Thunder Child’, you know what you’re getting with this band. No-frills, no-messing hard rock with more than enough blues to sate the appetite. ‘Lions Blood’ continues that theme with Tom Leighton’s guitar work and booming vocals pinned together to create a track as ferocious as the title animal, telling the listener to rise to whatever challenges are in your way.
Leighton sounds a lot like The Cult’s Ian Astbury, whilst his guitar solos light up songs like ‘Let’s Misbehave’ and ‘Be Your Man’ – the drums on this one fair burst out of the speakers.
‘Secrets’ is more of an introspective track than the first two but with a heavy rock sound like those songs. This one has an anthemic chorus with lots going on. It picks up tempo halfway through and is one of those songs that I think will be amazing live.
Despite being an album laden with riffs and grooves, one of the best moments comes with the acoustic-driven ‘I Hope’. As Leighton croons his vocals, it tells a story of someone wishing for better for someone close to them. It shows the versatility of Leighton’s voice and how they can deliver a wonderful ballad alongside hot rockers.
Matching the behemoth-sized riffs are the basslines from Dale Tonks across the album. Notably, it comes on ‘Who Needs a Soul’ as it takes centre stage with him locking in with drummer Karl Selickis to make some massive, pounding rhythms.
Meanwhile, ‘Hurricane’ is loaded with anger and vigour, its charging rhythm and screaming vocals working to make a furiously heavy song. Closing out the album is ‘City Lights’, driven by a big groove and a classic rock feeling.
The Bad Flowers have made a good impression with their debut album “Starting Gun”, plenty of riff action and bluesy grooves that will stand them in good stead in the live arena, which will be vitally important to a new band like this in such a crowded music scene.
The “Starting Gun” is surely the sound of a band who are on their marks, ready to really go places.
This baby Rocks, hard.
Highly Recommended
01 – Thunder Child
02 – Lions Blood
03 – Secrets
04 – Rich Man
05 – I Hope
06 – Let’s Misbehave
07 – Who Needs a Soul
08 – Be Your Man
09 – Hurricane
10 – I Don’t Believe
11 – City Lights
Tom Leighton (guitar / vocals)
Dale Tonks (bass / vocals)
Karl Selickis (drums)
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