Nite Songs

  On into the Top 30 we go then. Brace yourselves... *** 30.     RICKY WARWICK - "When Life Was Hard And Fast" When Life Was Hard And Fast   sees Ricky Warwick back to the no-nonsense rock music he's made his name with first in the Almighty and more recently with Black Star Riders. Veering from fired up punk to more moody reflective moments, this is straight ahead fist-in-the-air singalong rock anthems done by a master of the craft. Great stuff. *** 29.     BEANS ON TOAST - "Survival Of The Friendliest" Jay McAllister aka Beans On Toast is one of those songwriters who can make you see the light in even the most dark of times and Survival of the Friendliest  was a much needed ray of sunshine as the bleakness of December and the prospect of yet another lockdown set in. Working with a full band for this one, it's an album full of songs of hope to put an arm around your shoulder and see you through your long dark night of the soul. *** 28.     PE...

  Hailing from Boston, Watts are another signing for Rum Bar records and their press release describes them as a group raised on Kiss, Cheap Trick and Starz trying to bring that sound forward into the 21st century. Upon listening to opening track Loud And Fast , I have to say my reaction to that statement is - not quite. Don't get me wrong, the enjoyably flashy guitar work and thudding bass definitely have a hint of the above about it but the sandpaper rough vocals (which remind me a bit of Tom Spencer from the Loyalties and the Professionals) and gang chant chorus give this more of an early '70s Brit bootboy glam feel. I'd say less Cheap Trick and more Slade from where I'm sitting. And let's make it clear, there's nowt wrong with that as the churning riff and pounding drums of Queens  reinforce to good effect. There's definitely a bit of a New York Dolls feel here as well as the ominous Breaking Glass  makes clear as it transports you to some dingy inner ci...