Austin Gold: Those City Lights

Those City Lights is my second encounter with UK outfit Austin Gold, although it is actually their third full length release. Hailing from Peterborough, these lads can hardly lay claim to come from the rock n’ roll capital of the world, but there’s little about their sound that would lead you to that conclusion, the well placed confidence behind this modern slab of retro-infused rock there for all to hear. The buzz around the band plays heavily on their blues side and while that’s undoubtedly an unmistakable flavour in what you’ll hear, so too is the kind of good time anthem howling that the Foo Fighters pioneered, especially with the vocals from guitarist David James Smith having something of the Grohls about them.

These lads, however, are no clones, with a cleaner sound and a more traditional focus on the excellent guitar solos adding a different slant to that which might be expected. I’d also suggest that when things slow down, as they do on “Cut & Run�, the absolutely stunning “Real You� and hugely impressive croon of closer “Those City Lights�, Austin Gold really do come into their own- the slightly progressive feeling in sections of the middle of those three, also an unexpected and welcome surprise. That said, when the tempo really ramps up, Lee Churchill (bass) and Chris Odgen (drums) know how to stoke the engine - just sample “Never End�, the stomp of “Our Last Stand� and the classy staccato bursts of “Invincible� for proof. With Adam Leon bolstering all of this excellent work through his classy keyboards, the scene is set here for thoroughly convincing hard rock with a modern vibe, even if the likes of The Rolling Stones are often brought to mind.

Who knew? Maybe Peterborough is just round the corner from the rock n’ roll capital of the world after all??


Track Listing
1. Never End
2. Cut & Run
3. Our Last Stand
4. Invincible
5. Get In Line
6. Mountain
7. Morning Light
8. Days
9. Hold On Me
10. Real You
11. Those City Lights

Added: November 5th 2022
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Austin Gold online
Hits: 437
Language: english

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