SKAM – The Amazing Memoirs Of Geoffrey Goddard (2017)
Leicester hard rockers SKAM are not strangers to this blog, with their 2 previous albums already receiving positive reviews here. It’s been 3 years since the band’s last studio record, but it’s definitely been worth the wait. “The Amazing Memoirs of Geoffrey Goddard” is the 3rd album from the trio released today, arguably their best album to date.
“The Amazing Memoirs of Geoffrey Goddard” can be seen as a fairly ambitious record with a concept, featuring a story-arc of Squadron Leader Geoffrey Goddard, a test pilot from 1935, who is a victim of strange forces that jolt him through time.
Now, we are sure that the boys in the band have sweated blood to make sure it all makes sense, but you have a simple test when it comes to a concept album: if you don’t buy into the narrative – or don’t care less about – can you still enjoy it?
The answer here is a resounding hell and indeed yes.
‘Prologue’ starts the album complete with rain and plane sound effects with Squadron Leader Goddard giving us some background to his tale, setting the scene for how his strange experiences began.
‘Between The Eyes’ builds itself up in a way that you know something ace is coming. A strident drum beat from Neal Hill, a swaggering bass rumble from Matt Gilmore and its all topped off with a dirty little riff from Steve Hill – appropriately they have lift off.
The lead work here is different to most of those on the hard rock path. There is a real type fuzz about it, and allied to their obvious gift for writing hooks and choruses you can hum, this is something of a career high.
‘The Iron Cross’ picks up the tempo with Steve in full on guitar hero mode here; his shredding solo is just superb. Fast paced crunchy rhythms with a dark vibe combining to make an impactful rock song that sticks with you.
With its thick riff backed by a monstrous rhythm section, ‘Otherside’ is yet another fine slab of heavy rock that grabs you by the balls and refuses to release its grip.
Recorded old school, with the band all in the same room, there is a real warmth about the music here. Nothing sounds forced, instead it is all natural.
Another mammoth riff bursts the speakers with ‘Bring The Rain’, a beast of a track that truly shows off the power that SKAM possess. Slightly distorted vocals with a bit of venom, a driving rhythm section, gorgeous harmonies, bags of melody and topped off with yet another awesome guitar solo.
‘Fading Before The Sun’ is a very British slice of rock n roll and sounds just about perfect, while ‘Two Worlds’ really lets its hair down and reaches for the horizon at breakneck speed.
As the record hurtles to a close – and the story reaches its third act – there are no let ups. ‘Believe In Me’ is a rapid fire thing worthy of the first Velvet Revolver album and with the same stadium bothering attitude (on, no doubt, a millionth of the budget).
‘Aching Hearts’ is a bluesy ballad, and ‘New Dawn’ brings the journey to a close (Geoffrey Goddard lands) with one last groove that suckers you in.
No doubt there were moments en route when this undertaking seemed like the fictional four years of the central character. But for both SKAM and Geoffrey Goddard, the hard work paid off – and yeah, this is pretty amazing.
“The Amazing Memoirs of Geoffrey Goddard” is an outstanding piece of work, expertly crafted with songs honed to perfection. If you like huge guitars, big choruses, plenty of hooks, groovy bass and powerful drum work then look no further.
A solid, mature, muscular heavy hard rock concept album.
01 – Prologue
02 – Between the Eyes
03 – The Iron Cross
04 – Otherside
05 – Take It or Leave It
06 – Peace of Mind
07 – Bring The Rain
08 – Fading Before the Sun
09 – Two Worlds
10 – Believe
11 – Aching Hearts
12 – New Dawn
Steve Hill – Guitars, Vocals
Matt Gilmore – Bass, Backing Vocals
Neal Hill – Drums, Backing Vocals
BUY IT !
www.skamuk.com/shop/pre-order/cd-album-the-amazing-memoirs-of-geoffrey-goddard/
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