The Burning Crows

Recorded at the world-famous Rockfield Studios in Wales, UK bravado rockers The Burning Crows are proud to unleash their sonic assault Never Had It So Good.

Produced and mixed by Nick Brine (Bruce Springsteen, Oasis, The Darkness) and with a guest appearance by Keith Weir (The Quireboys, Def Leppard) on keyboards, it would indeed seem the band have never had it so good.

The band, while we’re at it, are Whippz on vox and guitars, Lance Daniels on guitars and backing vox, Will Lockett on bass and backing vox and Chris Chapman on drums and percussion. Judging from the photo which I received together with the promo disc, the four lads aren’t blessed just with talent alone but with slightly above average looks, too. Only teasin’ ya, guys.

Well then, if furious high-energy tunes performed by a bunch of hot to trot rockers is your thing then this one is for you!

Opener ‘Slow Up Get Down’ certainly doesn’t build up slow but blasts mercilessly into action, while the penetrating opening chords seemingly pay homage to Aerosmith’s ‘Walk This Way’ (in a speeded up manner, you understand!). The remainder of the track stays on edge, with great a chorus, scorching riffs and a break in pace mid-song.

‘You.Me.Tonight’. Sounds good to me! A peculiar bell/gong sound in the beginning makes room for yet more dynamic riff work interspersed with obligatory solos, and a chorus that invites you to chant along. It even boasts a few Quireboys – ‘7 O’Clock’ style wooo wooo wooo’s.

Quireboys is the cue here, for Keith Weir offers his much in demand keyboard talents on track tree, ‘Time’. This has a rather complex arrangement with a punchy kick-start abruptly drifting into rock ballad territory. Strong points are the melodious vocals, the semi-acoustic interlude and the gradual second build-up.
‘Time’ is amongst my favourite songs on the EP, as is the next one, titled ‘Going Down’. Once again, this solidly crafted and hook-laden affair reveals Whippz’ voice to be an aptly suited weapon.

Closing track ‘Best Damn Everything’ is the most furious of the lot, its smashing guitars and dark aggressive vibe almost borders on Metallica at times. This beast seriously sparks flames and sets the stage alight (or the studio).

The Burning Crows play their stuff exceedingly well and it’s good to hear and to see that the band lives up to their image. Still, while the Crows do exactly what it says on the tin it wouldn’t hurt if occasionally, they’d come up with less of the same but instead with more of the unexpected. Like, a super fast and smokin’ hot cover version of Humble Pie’s ‘Good Booze And Bad Women’… to throw an example…