Solution - Communicate

  by Jonjo McNeill

published: 18 / 10 / 2004

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Swedish rockers the Hellacopters have released nine or so albums around the world, playing the kind of 'cock rock' which The Darkness have since lampooned so successfully, but with conviction and style. Following last years worldwide touring of the 'By The Grace Of God' album, guitarist Nick Royale has formed new band the Solution, a band with a very different outlook and direction. The Solution play 60's style soul, with dirty guitars, distorted drums and sweet gospel backing vocals. Lead vocalist Scott Morgan has a gruff, raspy style perfectly suited to songs like opener 'Get On Back'. 'I Have To Quit You' harks back to the Stones, and certainly shares influences with 'Give Out But Don't Give In' era Primal Scream, both in terms of style and lyrical content; the classic chemical/love metaphor working as well as ever. 'My Mojo Ain't Working No More' way well have the worst title in rock history, but it's a tender song with reflective, emotive lyrics, and is very reminiscent of early Rod Stewart, albeit without the haircut. There is a large amount of brass section on this record, employed in just the right way as to not drown everything else out, and 'Would You Change Your Mind' passed the test of having a sax AND lasting more than thirty seconds on my stereo, a very good sign. It is perhaps a tad too akin to 'Just Dropped In' by Kenny Rogers, but that record isn't copied enough anyway. 'Communicate!' is a record with at least one foot very much in the past, but the production is very 21st century, and the songs are good enough to win over any doubters. It takes a great musician to swap styles so effectively, but Royale has pulled it off very well, even producing the album. Variation in a record is important, and this is an album for sitting and reflecting to one minute, and necking a bottle of wine and stampeding to the next. Whilst not breaking any boundaries with it's soulful mannerisms, it comes highly recommended for the content of it's songs, and the energy put into it, which you can feel pouring out of your speakers and straight into your soul.

Track Listing:-

1 Get On Back
2 I Have To Quit You
3 My Mojo Aint Working No More
4 Would You Change Your Mind
5 Top Of The Stairs
6 Widow Wemberly
7 Phoenix
8 She Messed Up My Mind
9 Must Be Loving Coming Down
10 Words
11 End Of The Day
12 Soulmover

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