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Artist: FM |
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Who would have thought that I would be praising two British Melodic Hard Rock bands in same year, never mind the same month. First it was new comers Serpentine and now it’s the old hands of the genre FM. Well it’s finally here one of the most anticipated albums of the year, the new FM album, an album that was promised after the bands phenomenal headline show at Firefest on 27th October 2007. That show was the first time the band had been together in twelve years and what has been the catalyst for the second chapter in the life of FM. Since that day the band have had to say goodbye to Andy Barnett who left the band amicably, and in to whose shoes stepped Jim Kirkpatrick a long time fan of the band and its music. The band have purposely taken their time with this new album to make sure it is the best album the band have done to date and after just one listen I can honestly say “job done”. With Overland giving one of his finest vocals I’ve heard in many a while and the rest of the band on top form, 'Metropolis' is an album that the band can be more than proud of. The album opens up with ‘Wildside’ and anyone who got the EP of the same name will know what a great opening track this is and one that instantly cements the bands comeback. A great starter to the album containing a heady bass line that leads to Overland’s superb vocals, before the hard ass guitar licks come at you like a bolt of the blue. A real corker to get the blood flowing. After the stormer of an opener the calming tones of ’Hollow’ bring you back down to earth, not with a bump but will a gentle feather bed landing as only FM can. This one is the band at the Melodic prime. The pace is picked up a little again with ‘Unbreakable’, again Overland is just superb as always and Kirkpatrick lays down a gentle guitar lick like he’s been in the band for ever. FM diehards will just love this one. It’s when the band rock it out that this album shines for me and with the storming ‘Flamingo Road’ and the instrumental title track ‘Metropolis’, on which Kirkpatrick shows what a truly great guitarist he is. The groove filled rock just keeps on coming with another of my favourites off the album ‘Over You’, before the majestic ‘Days Gone By', again a song for the old school fans. A real touch of classic FM but with a more modern twist, which is good to hear. The album just goes from strength to strength as Kirkpatrick makes his mark once more with an Edge like riff on ‘Bring Back Yesterday’ and a Bryan Adams riff on ‘I Ain’t The One’, two great tracks on what is a great return album. But it isn’t finished there, there are still some great tracks to go, starting off with ‘I Don’t Need Nothing’ a real switch to things, with a brass horn section bringing a Little Angels vibe to proceedings but in a typical FM style. This one is a modern day 'Bad Luck’ and one that will go down a storm live I’m sure! After the mellow tones of ‘The Extra Mile’ comes something rather special in the form of ‘Who’ll Stop The Rain’, this one has classic written all over it. Sadly all good things have to come to a close and the album finishes on a high with ‘Still The Fight Goes On’, a suitably titled track to finish what is without a doubt the best FM album for a long while, if not the best so far. But don’t take my word for it, just go out and buy your first class ticket to 'Metropolis', you’ll not want to come back from this journey. |
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| Tracklisting:
1.
Wildside |
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