Now 50 years into their career, British blues rock/prog/folk/hard rock (they do it all!) act Wishbone Ash show no signs of slowing down, and here they have just released their 24th studio album, Coat of Arms. Containing 11 new songs, Coat of Arms is a breath of fresh air, and continues a long line of very solid releases from the band in more recent years. Joining founder/guitarist/vocalist Andy Powell is newest member Mark Abrahams on co-lead guitar, along with rhythm mainstays Joe Crabtree (drums) and Bob Skeat (bass, vocals).
Coat of Arms kicks off with perhaps one of the most addicting album openers in recent memory, the delightful "We Stand As One", a hook laden rock anthem with majestic guitar licks, driving riffs, and a wonderful chorus from Powell. The title track is filled with tasty twin-guitar soloing from Powell & Abrahams, harking back to their glorious Argus days, while the folky, bluesy "Empty Man" has some fine picking to go along with catchy vocal harmonies. "Floreana" mixes majestic prog, folk, and blues, delivered with a pop sensibility, tossed with some grand lead guitar, while the bluesy hard rock of "Drive" once again shows the band delivering some ultra-memorable hooks. The second lengthy track here is "It's Only You I See", an atmospheric, moody rocker that again hints back at the bands glory days, and comes complete with majestic riffing and plenty of fiery guitar solos. An easy album highlight. "Too Cool for AC" has a similar bluesy hard rock vibe to "Drive", one of the few rocking anthems here, which the same can be said for the upbeat "Back in the Day", Crabtree's insistent drum barrage percolating underneath shimmering guitar chords and hook laden vocals. The guys weave in some mystical folk & jazz flavors on the alluring "Deja-Vu" (the acoustic & electric guitars are just lovely here), and the album concludes with the intricate blues-rocker "When the Love is Shared" and the groove laden "Personal Halloween", the latter complete with scorching blues guitar solos and horns.
Fine stuff all around on Coat of Arms, a highly enjoyable album from the legendary Wishbone Ash that shows that they old veterans still have PLENTY of life left in the tank. Long may the Gibson Flying V & Les Paul reign!!
Track Listing
1. We Stand As One
2. Coat Of Arms
3. Empty Man
4. Floreana
5. Drive
6. It’s Only You I See
7. Too Cool For AC
8. Back In The Day
9. Deja Vu
10. When The Love Is Shared
11. Personal Halloween
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