I may have been in a minority of one, but I thought '
Free' was one of
Bonfire's better albums in recent years.
It acknowledged the band's illustrious past while immersing several toes in contemporary musical waters. In turn, that pushed the band into developing their songs that bit more and trying out new ideas. Some worked, some didn't. But better that than continuing to go through the motions, as they had done on
'Strike X' and '
Fuel To The Flames', their two previous releases.
'Double X' is clearly the band's reaction to the bad press resulting from
'Free's departure from the norm, and takes us back onto familiar musical ground. It is also clearly a game of two halves.
The tracks in the first half are heavy with social commentary, some leaden, some enlightened. Subjects include conflicting moral values (
What's On Your Mind'), man's inhumanity to, er.Beagles
('Cry For Help') and inevitably if belatedly, the events of 9/11
('Day 911'). Noble sentiments are expressed and hands get wrung a lot. It's all very worthy and undoubtedly well intentioned, but to be honest, I couldn't wait for half time.
The second half of the album jettisons the cumbersome political baggage and moves up several gears (and has better tunes). It's slimmer, slicker and is much lighter on its feet.
Lessmann sees glimpses of his own mortality in the reflective, '
Blink Of An Eye', initiating a dialogue with our unconscious fears and our unspoken regrets. It's so good it's featured twice, the second time as an extended bonus track, closing the album.
'Notion Of Love' and
'Wings To Fly' are restrained, inward looking versions of eighties' arena rock, and are all the better for it.
'Right Things' and '
So What?' are pounding hard rock songs, readily reassuring us that the band's appetite is just as sharp now as it ever was.
The acutely observed, reined back Country rock of '
Hard To Say' blossoms colourfully with each listening. At first it seems to pass you by, but eventually it turns into one of the album's highlight tracks, giving
'Blink Of An Eye' a run for its money.
After a dull first half,
Bonfire lets its experience do the talking, turning '
Double X' into a bright return to form.
Written by
Brian Friday, June 2, 2006
Show all reviews by BrianRatingsBrian: 6/10Members: 7.5/10 - Average of 1 ratings.
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