When I reviewed Thunderbird’s last album ‘Hevyweight’ back in 2016 I was struck by the sheer quality of the songs on offer and the album cruised into my ‘Blues and Classic Rock Top 10’ of the year. Two years later after an apology from the Post Office for misplacing this disc (this was released in April and must have spend months misfiled in the wrong PO Box) I’m glad to say that the band has produced anther fine collection of blues-tinged classic hard rockers; though arguably this time round they’ve hit even greater heights.
I’m not sure where to start with Thunderbird – they are obviously a class act and musically they sound well-rounded and precise but also full of feeling with some wonderful fills, licks and great vocals, but there’s something more that you just can’t put your finger on. This is the sort of album you feel was forged in another time and another place and these are songs that you feel familiar with even on first listen and its that connection which makes it all the more special.
‘Liar’ which opens things here has a Progressive edge and slow build to a big uncomplicated riff and a thrust and a vocal that sounds familiar like Classic Rock mixed with the feel of vintage Motley Crue. It’s a great start but it really is the variety that works so well on this third outing. ‘Little Jenny’ for example keeps that familiar vocal and is cut through with a stuttering riff, Retro chorus nice and big, and leaves the lasting satisfaction that only ‘Old School Rock’ can give. There are progressive elements, like the breakdown but they don’t take away from the rocking thrust and directness.
Indeed there’s a sheen to these songs that says they can’t possibly be anything but anachronisms, echoes from another time, something I see as a huge compliment. ‘Star’ begins with a great opening, it’s almost Dokken-like, but it’s a song that develops a light poppy almost Cheap Trick-like refrain, and it’s that conjuring with sounds that for fleeting moments seem familiar, and their mixing with other elements, that alchemy, that is Thunderbird’s huge strength.
Everywhere you turn you’ll find gems, and pinpricks of light that shine like diamonds. ‘Rain’ sports some wonderful guitars, both direct and more gentle; whilst ‘Into the Sun’ has an almost jazzy, stuttering hard rock feel; and a poppy quirky vocal and ‘Painted Lady’ strides out in a haze of jazzy, hard-edged swing and a whispered breakdown that for an instant makes you think of early Alice Cooper. Everything here is remarkably unconsciousness and emerges all the stronger for that.
Deeper in ‘Revolution’ feels like proto-Metal, and the guitars posture and wail, but its the juxtaposition against the gentle balladic and beautiful ‘Man of Clay’ which says in two songs all you need to sum up Thunderbird – a band that sound completely comfortable in their varied skins. We’re then treated to three tracks that really sum up why I like these Canadians so much – ‘I’m With You’ is a great early-80’s sounding rocker that still retains all the energy and versatility of those bands that led the way in that decade before the late eighties brought wit it that same simply structured formula. For sheer enjoyment it may well be my favourite track here.
‘On the Brink’ follows in a similar vein and ‘King Rat’ is another great hard rocker -both of which will resonate with anyone who is familiar with Thunderbird and especially their last album. The best though may well have been saved for lat. Closing track ‘Vampire’ has it all from strings to searing guitars and long instrumental passages that all go into the mix to make a rock classic. They don’t make songs like this anymore! If this is a sign of wht’s to come then Thunderbird will be bothering my ‘Albums of the year list’ each time they release something new. There’s still plenty of gold out there if you open your ears, and Thunderbird is a band you’ll want to discover if you haven’t already had the pleasure.
‘THUNDERBIRD’
Marc LaFrance – vocals
Brice Tabish – guitars
Rob Becker – bass
Kelly Stodola – drums & percussion
Rod ‘Doc’ Coogan – guitar solo ‘Liar (Fool’s Gold)’