The Quireboys

Yep, it’s 2016 and yep, them fab Quireboys have just released yet another album like they did the year before and the year before… This time ‘round, however, our hardest working rock band in the biz went back to their roots and Twisted Love is dominated by that “play it loud” rock sound of yesteryear. Oh, and it all sounds electrifying!

Visually too the band seems to have changed their image, well, at least as far as the latest album sleeve is concerned. Gone is the Mexican Day of the Dead rose ‘n’ skull vibe to be replaced by a Venetian-style carnival mask seemingly on fire. Recorded in the remote Swedish outpost of Klippan (Lemon Studios to be precise) the isolated atmosphere no doubt contributed to the band’s focus, resulting in ten tracks of which every single one stands as damn fine piece!
Opener ‘Torn & Frayed’ with its stompy beat, speedy rhythm and harmonica interludes is a frenzied journey on a sonic R&B train that take the listener on a journey-and-a-half. Cracking!

Did I just mention train? Funny that, because the next track is called ‘Ghost Train’ and it has the Quireboys’ trademark sound written all over! Frontman Spike’s gravely voice, searing riffs from Guy Griffin, Paul Guerin and Nick Mailing, Keith Weir’s distinctive Hammond and it’s all held together nicely by drummer Dave McCluskey. Nice backing vocals are provided here by Lynne Jackaman’s bluesey hues.
‘Killing Time’ blazes along harder still, while title track ‘Twisted Love’ catapults us back to a darker moods both in terms of lyrics and a more subdued sound - punctuated by solo riffs and a driving beat. Both Spike and Lynne deliver terrific vocal teamwork here. ‘Breaking Rocks’ provides the rawer Yin to the more melodious Part 2 of ‘Gracie Bs’ Yang, the latter in particular is a real stomper!
‘Life’s A Bitch’ thunders along with full force and a catchy sing-along chorus – the riff work is pure dynamite and midway we get a short riff ‘n’ key interlude reminiscent of Chuck Berry’s ‘Roll Over Beethoven’. Inspired!

Things turn slightly more mellow (emphasis on slightly) during ‘Stroll On’ which is one of the best tracks on the album… and if I say so myself. We return to that train shuffle beat on ‘Shotgun Way’ - a superb organic blues-rock number that would do the likes of Ike & Tina proud. It’s an absolute winner this, and one of those tracks you can never get enough of.
Closing track ‘Midnight Collective’ (and that title could refer to so many things) is the only ballad-style offering here, and it works a treat as musically, the laid-back yet mature vibe suggests the band wanna take it easy after a long, long day in the studio. Or a long, long day in hectic New York.
Congrats again to you Quireboys for presenting us with another gem – keep on working hard!