A coming of age rock record for The Temperance Movement with their new album, 'White Bear' which is the follow-up to their self-titled debut from 2013. All the live work in between these records has certainly paid off if the ten songs on ‘White Bear’ are anything to go by.
The first single, "Three Bulleits", is the opener and it hits the pace in a bluesy rocking style. Drummer Damon Wilson, Nick Fyffe on bass, guitarists Luke Potashnick and Paul Sayer make for one mighty power unit. Singer, Phil Campbell is in fine fettle and reminiscence of Paul Rodgers or Chris Robinson quite often. He really has a rock voice, full throttle or gentle depending on the song.
'Get Yourself free’ the second track is a real gem of rock for any year let alone 2016. ‘A Pleasant Peace I Feel’ keeps the pace rocking along and only three songs in, you really start to feel this is a special album and we are only in January!
‘Modern Massacre' with it's George Thorogood and the Destroyers overtones means that there no rest from jumping around the room. ‘Battle Lines’ casts aside any doubts, this is one very fine Rock n’ Roll Band indeed!
For Phil and Paul this band and this album are all that matters. The guitarist was pleased to hear that sentiment echoed by one of his heroes.
"At one of the Stones shows I had a chat with Keith Richards. And right at the end he said: 'Just keep this together.' And he was serious. He was saying: 'The hardest thing is keeping the band together.' That had quite a profound effect on me. It's hard being away - we've all got families - but you can't moan about it obviously. But when you're in this situation with five guys all the time, it can be tense and it's hard to be creative. But you have to get your head down and get on with the next thing. And the next thing was making the record."
Next time you want to let your hair down, this is the album for you!
Pete
10/11
UK Tour dates:
Jan. 16 - Portsmouth, UK - Pyramid Centre
Jan. 17 - Norwich, UK - UEA
Jan. 19 - Aberdeen, UK - Beach Ballroom
Jan. 20 - Glasgow, UK - Barrowland
Jan. 21 - Newcastle, UK - University
Jan. 22 - Leeds, UK - Becket University
Jan. 24 - Manchester, UK - Academy 2
Jan. 25 - Birmingham, UK - Institute
Jan. 26 - Cardiff, UK - Y Plas
Jan. 27 - London, UK - Shepherd's Bush Empire