Burning Rope

Burning Rope epitomise much of what is best about today’s Blues/Rock bands. Their music is strong and powerful, reflecting the golden age of Blues and rock, but they have some real subtlety in their music as well. The songwriting is above the norm as well – real subjects and themes.
This new record expands on the influences that ran through their debut self-titled album: blues and progressive rock. The theme of break-up runs through the album, peaking with the final track, ‘Sad Like Sinatra’, which portrays a young person growing up in a broken home and finding their own way through life’s changes.
The songs are written by the band, apart from one track, which is the band’s take on a classic song, something they started on the first album with Tainted Love. Dissolution features their version of Running Up That Hill, very different to the original but much better than a slavish copy.

The band were formed from members of the award winning Catfish, Paul Long (Keyboards & vox) and Adam Pyke (bass). Alex Voysey joins on guitar and Mitch Weaving brings some very solid, as well as very smooth, drums. I have to say that the playing of these four is remarkable. They can handle the heavy stuff perfectly but on a jazzy number like ‘Flow’ they really show what they can do. I especially like Adam’s bass playing (it was a feature of Catfish too). Alex Voysey is a superb guitarist, full of passion and not short of technical skills. The grandfather of the band is Paul Long who has been around, seemingly, since the birth of rock. His keys are sensitive, add real depth and he matches Ray Danzarek for his talent on the Electric piano.

This one of those rare albums where not a single track is a standout! Delve into it, track by track, and you will pick out a gem every time. 8 tracks, 8 unique identities and a band that is playing with and for each other so that the result is addictive. I’ve developed a real love for this quintessentially British Blues/Rock outfit.

Bloody fine stuff.