Dan Reed Network: Let`s Hear It For The King

It seems quite incredible that Dan Reed has been making music since the mid 80`s. I vividly remember taking my usual bi monthly trek down to the legendary Shades record shop in London and hearing the debut album blasting out, so much so that I and my longest musical friend and ally (Hi Simon) were handing over our hard earned cash like a shot, so impressed were we by what we were hearing....so fast forward to today and he’s STILL making quality music with that alluring hybrid of Funk/Rock. Let`s Hear It For The King sits easily alongside said debut and the likes of Slam and The Heat.

There are 13 tracks here to savour, with little or no let up in the quality throughout, with opening track `Pretty Karma` sending out the message that the band have lost nothing when it comes putting the funk into their rock, and `The Ghost Inside` builds upon that with a song that rocks big time.

The likes of `Starlight` and `Supernova` show that Reed has never lost that appetite for commenting on the state of the world, the former a stab at those looking for fame and fortune via social media etc, and the latter with all its attendant funkiness driving that point home.

The title track and `I See Angels` are both exemplary exercises in controlled restraint, before its back to the down and dirtiness of `Homegrown` which is a real throwback to those earlier albums.

As the album moves through the gears, it’s obvious that the whole band have been truly energised with the deep grooviness of `Stumble`, `Just Might Get It`, and `Where’s the Revolution`. `Are You Ready?` occupies that space somewhere between Prince and Bon Jovi, which if I remember correctly was how the band were described when they first broke through. The album comes to a close with `Unfuck The World` giving off some Zeppelin vibes in places, and slow burner `Last Day On Saturn` finally bringing the curtain down on an album that manages to retain a high level of consistency throughout.

Everyone here is on top form, Dan's vocals still sound vibrant and strong and the band are no slouches either with consummate performances throughout, special mention must also go to the production and particularly the arrangement aspect of the record as both are fresh and inventive.

An album that rocks without a doubt but also crucially keeping that funk edge to everything that drew me and many others to the band initially, and take it from me this is going to feature in quite a few` best of`s` come the end of the year.

* The release of this album, and subsequent tour has both been delayed due to the ongoing Covid situation and will now be released this coming June, rather than the anticipated March release date.

Track Listing
1. Pretty Karma
2. The Ghost Inside
3. Starlight
4. Supernova
5. Let`s Hear It For The King
6. I See Angels
7. Homegrown
8. Stumble
9. Just Might Get It
10. Where`s The Revolution
11. Are You Ready?
12. Unfuck My World
13. Last Day On Saturn

Added: March 5th 2022
Reviewer: Malcolm Smith
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 840
Language: english

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