AFTER HOURS – Against The Grain (2011)

AFTER HOURS was formed in 1987 by John Francis (vocals), Tim Payne (lead guitar), Martin Walls (bass), Mark Addison (drums) and Rick Young (keyboards).

Soon after, the band recorded the album ‘Take Off’, a brillant piece of classic AOR rock in the best british tradition.

By 1991, three of the members decided to leave the band. Martin emigrated to Canada, Mark went to university and new keyboard player Andy Nye moved on to another project.

This then left vocalist John Francis and led guitar Tim Payne to complete the recording of the second album. So with help from the producer Mal Luker and his staff at the studio, they set about making the self titled album Afterhours. This proved very stressful to John and Tim and after a stint recording single ideas for the American market at a recording studio in Chipping Norton, England, they both decided to call it a day.

The 2nd and final self-titled album was released in 1992.

February 14, 2008.

A chance meeting of Martin Walls, Tim Payne and John Francis, materialized into the reformation of After Hours, after agreeing to write and record a song for old time’s sake, it seemed after recording the song it unearthed a new passion in each of them, they wanted to write and record a new album which came from their heart and souls, with no interference from producers, record companies and management.

And so the task of writing and then recording the new ideas started. They invited old friend’s Chris Pope on drums and Sean McMenemy on keyboards and guitar to help, and the new After Hours was born, and the result is “Against The Grain”.

As with the two previous albums, the unmistakeable voice of John mixed with the guitars of Tim Payne and the foundations of Martin Wall’s bass are the basis of something so special that I honestly cannot stop becoming teary eyed over this album which mixes the lyrical content between social commentary on the world today and the AOR stable of love-torn rockers and ballads.

Opener “Stand Up” is a grower in that after the opening bravado the verse is more subdued, before kicking in with a fantastic chorus. The song is about having a voice and making sure that you are heard.

“Turn Up Your Radio” is a fantastic slab of pure AOR bliss – okay, the lyrics are cheesy but you can tell that it’s heartfelt and to me that is the difference between a good song and a great song, and this is great.

“Eleventh Hour” opens with tribal drums and a simple acoustic which leads into a bass line so heart warming and lyrics pleading about the land and taking things for granted and to leave things alone – the guitar work of Tim Payne on this one is glorious and the tribal drums at the end of the song give you the feeling that you have watched an epic movie.

“Angel” is a mid-paced rocker which gives top tier bands such as FM and Journey a run for their money. John’s never sounded better than on this song and we’re only halfway through the album.

“When You’re Around” is a life-affirming song to their loved ones. A very melodic and foot-tap tune.

“Hold On” with its opening stop-start riff, is the perfect tonic to the last couple of slowies.

Next up is “Let It Go” with its theme of moving on from the past and giving yourself a chance to be in love.

“I Want Yesterday” is a song about the chance of re-living your life, and wanting yesterday to come back tomorrow. The guitar solo is meaty and the old fashioned keyboards are really cool.On the ballad “I Need Your Love” John sounds so perfect… good as Steve Perry in his prime. It’s a pleasure that this man has given us a chance to hear those velvet tones once more.

Hidden track “Eleventh Hour” is a very nice acoustic piece, intimate and warm.

“Against The Grain” is a delightful return by one of the iconic bands from the great british AOR scene of the late ’80s.

Vocalist John Francis still have his velvety pipes in true form and his partner Tim Payne delivers a remarkable job on the guitars and the musical direction.

Good production and good songs, but the best part of it is that After Hours has been loyal to his tradition, making an AOR album in the way it should be made.

Highly Recommended

01 – Stand Up

02 – Turn On Your Radio

03 – Eleventh Hour

04 – Against The Grain

05 – Angel

06 – When You’re Around

07 – Hold On

08 – Let It Go

09 – I Want Yesterday

10 – I Need Your Love

11 – Eleventh Hour [hidden track]

John Francis : Vocals

Tim Payne : Lead Guitar

Martin Walls : Bass

Sean McMenemy : Keyboards, Guitars

Chris Pope : Drums

www.afterhoursrocks.com

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