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MelodicRock.com Reviews


BAILEYS COMET
JUDGEMENT DAY
Now & Then / Frontiers FRCD 055
Produced by: Dez Bailey
Released: OUT / Website
Relatives: Thin Lizzy, Gary Moore
GENRE: Hard Rock
OVERALL: 80%

  1. Judgement Day
  2. Spirit Of Toumahai
  3. One Love One Life
  4. Emerald Isle
  5. Revolution
  6. Stealin' Your Lovin'
  7. Seven Hills
  8. Good Lovin' Gone Bad
  9. Should Have Been There
  10. Wild One
  11. Celtic Warrior

The Bailey Brothers have a long history of promoting good rock n roll, but the tide has turned and they are now responsible for adding to the scene they once were so involved in. The guys have their roots firmly planted in English classic rock, with influences from Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake, Deep Purple and Gary Moore.
This album is a case of everything louder than everything else! You know the style of album I mean by that - big guitars, big vocals, big harmonies and big uptempo rock songs.
There are a couple of finer points that need to be made before you rush out and buy this.
Generally, if you are a fan of the above groups and style, there is a fair chance you will dig this.
But the production quality of the album isn't quite as high as some other releases on Now & Then, with the mix of some tracks possibly the only culprit. I just think there is so much going on within each track; it's hard to accurately capture and mix that. Minor point and Dez did well do capture the energy as he has.
There are also two vocalists on this project. Both have interesting voices and styles that might take some adjusting to, but in the end do suit the music.
Alex Edwards is the main vocalist, bought in at the last minute to do the job. Given the circumstances he has done a good job. His voice is hoarse and raw and suits the style of the music, although it's possible not everyone will be sold on his style.
The other vocalist on 4 tracks is Fasker Johnson. His style is similar and also suits the music, but to be honest, he doesn't make the grade as a great singer. The tracks he sings lead on miss the impact of a better singer. In a couple of places it sound like he struggling.
The album opens to Judgement Day, and within 30 seconds there's a guitar shred-fest going on, with double kick drum raging in the background.
It's a big hard rocking tune with attitude and guitars everywhere. The vocal is something that takes some adjusting to, as is the arrangement of the song, but after several listens, it warms on you a great deal.
Spirit Of Toumahai continues the fast pace, but with a slight Celtic influence in prime Thin Lizzy / Gary Moore style melodic rock. I like the hook a lot and once again, after a few listens adjusting to the style, it's hard to shake off.
One Love One Life is a killer track, it's a friendly little pop rock AOR anthem with a major hook.
Emerald Isle rocks along nicely as a mid tempo rocker, again in the Lizzy style of things. In typical British rock fashion there is a bridge and female lead refrain halfway through the song and some Celtic overtones. Quite an ambitious and intricate track really, with several tempo changes to great effect.
Revolution is the first track to feature the other vocalist of the album. Another good song, but the vocals aren't as sharp as they should be and the song lacks the energy of some of the other tracks. Musically, it's another good solid track.
Stealin' Your Lovin' is a rougher, straight up hard rocker, but makes the grade as Alex is back on vocals.
Seven Hills sees Fasker Johnson back on vocals and struggling even more than before.
Good Lovin' Gone Bad is similar to track 3, in that it's a more melodic mid tempo track with a good hook.
Should Have Been There sees the unmistakable vocals of John Harman back, but in this case, at least he sounds in better form. The song again features a strong hook, and although the vocals are rough, they suit the track OK.
Wild One is a tribute song to the great Phil Lynott. There is no better record than this to feature such a tribute as the guys are clearly musically influenced by him. Vocals are again from Fasker Johnson, who again sounds rough as always, but definitely more acceptable than on Revolution and Seven Hills.
Celtic Warrior isn't overly heavy, but it's pretty fast paced and as the title suggests is a heavy Celtic influenced instrumental number.
BOTTOM LINE: There is a couple of small problems with the album, namely the occasional off vocal and a lack of a better mix in places, but there is something that overrides those negatives. The songs. They are spot on. The songwriting, energy and delivery of this record just about out weigh any negatives and in the end you are left with a classic British hard rock album, in it's rawest form, but at it's hard rocking best.
PRODUCTION: 70% SONGS: 85% VIBE: 75%ATTITUDE: 80%
ESSENTIAL FOR: Fans of British hard rock and Celtic inspired rock. Fans of Thin Lizzy and Gary Moore.



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