Sound: '80s Rock at it's best. Long gone are the days of Lancaster and Kircher. There was no End Of The Road. The band just stopped at a service station to refill. Status Quo are playing around with multiple effects and styles without destroying what was already there. The Quo sound is still live & kicking with thumping rhythm, a thick lead sound, and some awesome bass lines and fills. Rhino Edwards and Jeff Rich have lived up to the high Quo standard. // 10
Lyrics and Singing: A good choice of words. This is one of few exceptions to my Quo album rule. No cheesy lyrics. Top lyrical content can be found in 'Overdose', 'Red Sky' and 'Invitation' a country song with lots of Major, Mixolydian and Pentatonic licks. John David appears on the album with 'Rollin' Home' (not to be confused with 'Rolling Home' from Blue For You) and 'Red Sky'. A cover of Ian Hunter's 'Speechless' almost fall into the cheesy trap but escapes as it is written by a non-member. Not forgetting 'In The Army Now' - a Bolland brothers number. It was a massive hit. I think perhaps Quo could have replaced some of these 'outside' songs with their own material. I think the band were seeing what the band reacted to better. It turns out they loved both. // 8
Impression: I think perhaps the 'original' Quo fans may not like the new sound but will really like the songs themselves. The album was a turning point in the history of the Quo and has helped them achieve that angelic live sound they use today. Many Quo favourites came from this album and I doubt it will ever be forgotten. it's worth a buy but try the earlier stuff first. Listening to Quo's stuff in chronological order helps you appreciate a rocking band's music better. // 9
