Fugitive: Nobody Gets Out Alive

With their 2021 lockdown EP (it was an album in all but name) #EP:Not Guilty, Liverpool melodic rockers Fugitive gave us a three track hint of what their next album would sound like, and for those who sampled those goods, Nobody Gets Out Alive has been a long time in coming. As promised, those three tracks are all present and correct, with “Not Guilty�, “Back In Business� and a reworked “Raised On Rock� all proving as memorable the second time round. However, right from the ’87 era Whitesnake grind and Dokken like growl of opener “Anything Is Possible� it’s clear that Fugitive have set their bar high, and possibly higher than they ever have before. With complex vocal arrangements that take a little while to fully reveal themselves, there’s a depth and honesty laid bare that you don’t often find in this style of music. Yes, these lads like a good time, but there’s much more going on here, with the journey through life and the losses that it can result in explored in truly insightful fashion. With those sentiments laced through some more obviously punch the air, but still self affirming romps, I’d suggest Fugitive have truly come of age.

Don’t believe me? Well, let me add two more words that will make you sit up and take notice… Russ Ballard. Yes, the legendary song writer has added his unquestionable talents to those of Michael Angel (vocals/guitar), Pete O’Connor (drums), Ranko (lead guitar) and David Haskayne (bass/vocals) as he sprinkles his magic as writer and producer over the hard hitting “One Year Straight� and reworked album highlight, “Raised On Rock 2.0�, although it has to be said that the Mrk1 version that closes the album out is equally impressive. With “Show Me The Way� somehow feeling both forceful and laid back, the advances that Fugitive have made in crafting truly memorable rockers shines through brightly, although it might just be the aggressive, grandiose insistence of “Freakshow� that steals that particular prize.

I’ve been a long-time supporter of Fugitive but for my money they’ve really taken things a step further with Nobody Gets Out Alive. Hopefully it’s the album that finally finds them reaching the wider audience their music deserves.

Track Listing
1. Anything Is Possible
2. Raised On Rock 2.0
3. Not Guilty
4. Guilty As Charged
5. Loco Moto
6. One Year Straight
7. A Journey’s Prayer
8. Back In Business
9. Freakshow
10. Show Me The Way
11. Raised On Rock

Added: May 5th 2023
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Fugitive @ facebook
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Language: english

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