Black Country Communion: V

Supergroup Black Country Communion have released their fifth album V, and it's hard to believe they have that many under their belt. BCC continues to release solid rocking albums that should be getting airplay on those FM stations that prefer to play the same bands and songs over and over again. “Enlighten� kicks things off with heavy guitars and a great hook in the chorus. The debut single “Stay Free� tips its cap with a heavy Zeppelin influence, a great chorus with excellent female backing vocals. It’s been said before, but Glenn Hughes is a freak of nature, that voice is still kicking as if he was a 20 year old. Hughes and Bonamassa are responsible for all the writing and keep the music riff-driven and in your face. “Restless� gives the listener a breather with its slow bluesy flavor and great Hughes vocal, but quickly gets ripping with one of Joe’s best solos on the album. “Letting Go� the latest single has a hard-hitting riff, and another catchy chorus that will stick with you.

My only complaint here is that you should use every weapon at your disposal, and to my ears keyboardist Derek Sherinian is underutilized. I want to hear that growling Hammond, electric piano, solo tradeoffs with Bonamassa, and a heightened presence in the mix. To be fair, as you hit the backend of the album, you get more Derek (and that’s a good thing). The ballsy riff for “You're Not Alone� makes this another favorite, and it’s a perfect example of the Hammond deserving more presence on this album. More Hammond to open “Love and Faith� makes me happy, and the shared lead vocals of Hughes and Bonamassa should be used more, they sound great together. “Too Far Gone� is a killer, with Sherinian getting some solo time, and Hughes belts this one out like no tomorrow. The closing “The Open Road� sounds like a Bonamassa solo track, great intense ending solo, a great one to finish the album off.

BCC V is going to get a lot of play at my house this summer, a great album to have cranking outside on a summers day. It also looks like there are touring plans which has been an issue for this band in the past; you need to bring the music to the people. V is Hard Rock for the now, if you’re tired of hearing the same old thing, play some BCC and turn it up loud!

Track List:
1. Enlighten
2. Stay Free
3. Red Sun
4. Restless
5. Letting Go
6. Skyway
7. You're Not Alone
8. Love And Faith
9. Too Far Gone
10. The Open Road

Added: August 29th 2024
Reviewer: Eric Porter
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 1468
Language: english

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