This Is Rock n’ Roll

July 2, 2008 | By Doug In Rock Music |

This Is Rock n’ Roll
The notion that old rockers never die, they just fade away because they can’t think of an ending, is given the lie on This Is Rock ‘n’ Roll, the long-awaited comeback by the Quireboys, rightful heirs to the Faces. Indeed, their songs are tightly structured, so the endings are often as impressive as the beginnings. Occasionally there’s a problem with the bits in between, which go on for longer than some might deem strictly necessary, although the time passes markedly faster if you get out of your seat and dance to it rather than trying to appreciate it on an intellectual level. Vocalist Spike still sounds exactly like Rod Stewart with strep throat, and it can be no accident that Rod’s old keyboard player/songwriter Kavin Savigor has been drafted in to this latest incarnation of the band. Titles such as “This Is Rock ‘n’ Roll” and “It’s Alright” pretty much indicate what the up-tempo tracks are like, while the power-ballads “Searching” and “To Be” strive fairly successfully to capture that over-wrought Guns ‘n’ Roses/Poison/Aerosmith imitation of passion. Buy it now, but strictly on the understanding that only after six beers will it become the greatest rock album in history. –Johnny Black

Customer Review: Okay, but just, okay
I’m an old Quireboys fan and rate “A bit of what you fancy” as one of my all time favourite albums so I really looked forward to hearing this CD. However, I found it a bit disappointing and lacking the real energy that the old QB’s used to have. Spikes still got the gravelly voice and some of the guitar riffs have an almost familiar sound but with the exception of “C’mon” I didn’t find anything memorable in this album. It isn’t a bad album by any means, it is listenable but it’s not as good as some of their old stuff.

Customer Review: Good to see you back!!!!
After years of listening and watching the QB’s in my youth it’s great they’ve returned with an album every bit as good as “A Bit of……”. The lack of production, Spike’s sandpaper voice and good old fashioned 80’s rock make a welcome return on an album with absolutely no clangers. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait as long next time. Welcome back!!