With the impending release of Swedish rockers Gin Lady's new album Electric Earth, it appears that we've missed their early 2016 album Call the Nation, so time to rectify that right now. Many will recall that Gin Lady were formed out of the ashes of the great prog band Black Bonzo, but instead of going in that same musical direction, the guys decided to go in more of a classic rock route, and Call the Nation continues in a similar vein heard on their excellent double album Mothers Ruin from 2013. Though a smattering of their early Deep Purple/Uriah Heep influenced style remains, it's been taken over by a clear love of The Rolling Stones, The Faces, Status Quo, and Humble Pie, which you can clearly hear on the opening rocker "I Can't Change", an instantly memorable & upbeat track that is pure rock 'n' roll down to its core. The excellent title track follows, the addicting grooves, jangly guitar riffs & slide guitar coming across like a long lost recording from the Stones' Exile on Main St. album, Magnus Kärnebro's vocals are just stellar and Joakim Karlsson's guitar work tasty yet biting.
"Heavy Burden" is more of an atmospheric blues rocker, Kärnebro's vocals completely haunting, while "Mexico Avenue" takes the boogie of vintage Status Quo and mixes in some Swedish flair for a really fun listen. Call the Nation's longest track at just under 7-minutes is "Ain't No Use", a moody, dramatic slice of '70s hard rock, complete with gritty slide guitar work, chilling Hammond organ, and emotional vocals, and the ultra addicting "Country Slandslide" again sees the organ taking a prominent role, this time alongside piano and more bluesy slide guitar, Kärnebro once more showing is incredible vocal prowess. Organ, Mellotron, and bluesy hard rock riffs collide on the heavy hitting album closer, "I'm Coming Home", another satisfying trip to the glorious '70s from this Swedish outfit.
At 8 tracks and just about 35 minutes long, Call the Nation is a quick but highly enjoyable listen for anyone that loves retro classic rock sounds. Though fans of this bands prog roots might be disappointed at the move towards a more streamlined approach, there's no doubt that Gin Lady have excelled at creating accessible rock music with a healthy nod to all the classic bands of the genre. Well done, and looking forward to Electric Earth is a few weeks!
Track Listing
1) I Can't Change
2) Call the Nation
3) Heavy Burden
4) Mexico Avenue
5) Aint' No Use
6) Down Memory Lane
7) Country Landslide
8) I'm Coming Home
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