FOGHAT – Under The Influence (2016)

Legendary English rockers FOGHAT are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their first hit-song with a new album titled “Under The Influence“, released today June 24th. The current line-up of the band has been together now over a decade and they appear to be as strong as ever, still delivering classic hard rock grooves with a big bang sound.

“Under The Influence” features a mix of new songs and some covers, and judging the quality this new album perfectly produced by Grammy Award winner Tom Hambridge, you gotta hat off to these veteran rockers.
Foghat are back in full force and listening to this album it’s hard to believe they ever went away. To older generations of classic rock listeners they will be remembered for their ’70s success; for today’s i-phone generation they will know them from Guitar Hero.
Either way it’s the track ‘Slow Ride’ that will be familiar to everyone. This 9 minute serving of guitar boogie has been a staple of US radio ever since and it was no surprise to see it appear in a guitar playing game, after all everyone has been playing air guitar to it for years!

Only drummer Roger Earl remains from the original line-up, though bass player Craig MacGregor has been on board since 1977. The current band line-up is completed by guitarist Bryan Bassett (Wild Cherry, Molly Hatchett) and Charlie Huhn (Ted Nugent, Humble Pie).
However the key to the success of this album will be the fact that they have linked up with hot-shot producer and songwriter Tom Hambridge. Fans of ZZ Top, Joe Bonamassa and many others will be familiar with his work (also check out his solo albums as they are all good).
He’s provided the whole record with a commercial sheen to both the writing and production. It’s therefore loaded with up-tempo guitar rock that fizzes out of the speakers.

The new material is great; particularly ‘Heart Gone Cold’, ‘Hot Mama’ and the killer ‘Knock It Off’. There is even a revamped version of the aforesaid ‘Slow Ride’ and a cover of ‘Heard It Through The Grapevine’.
The whole thing is stuffed full of potential hits and I can imagine this album will be a staple of Classic Rock Radio for years to come.
Very, Strongly Recommended!

01 – Under the Influence
02 – Knock it Off
03 – Ghost
04 – She’s Got a Ring in His Nose
05 – Upside of Lonely
06 – Heard it Through the Grapevine
07 – Made Up My Mind
08 – Hot Mama
09 – Heart Gone Cold
10 – Honey Do List
11 – All Because of You
12 – Slow Ride

Roger Earl – drums, vocals
Craig MacGregor – bass
Bryan Bassett (Wild Cherry, Molly Hatchett) – guitars
Charlie Huhn (Ted Nugent) – lead vocals, guitars

BUY IT !
www.foghat.biz/collections/foghat-cds/products/new-cd-under-the-influence
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