Artist: The Temperance Movement Album: The Temperance Movement Bitrate: 232kbps avg Quality: EAC Secure Mode / LAME 3.98.4 / -V0 / 44.100Khz Label: Earache Records Genre: Rock Size: 89.29 megs PlayTime: 0h 51min 23sec total Rip Date: 2013-09-21 Store Date: 2013-09-13 Track List: -------- 01. Only Friend 4:28 02. Ain't No Telling 3:51 03. Pride 5:38 04. Be Lucky 3:22 05. Midnight Black 3:46 06. Chinese Lanterns 3:21 07. Know For Sure 4:12 08. Morning Riders 3:39 09. Lovers And Fighters 4:38 10. Take It Back 3:03 11. Smouldering 5:47 12. Serenity 5:38 Release Notes: -------- This time last year The Temperance Movement were unsigned and unheard of, in fact it is only a few months since they signed a record deal. Now along with label mates Rival Sons they stand out like two sore thumbs amongst a sea of metal bands on Earache, which is probably a good thing for them. They are a band on the lips of all those in the know, this is mainly due above all else to hard work and the quality of their live shows, which have resulted in them being able to fill out small venues that usually struggle to draw a decent crowd in these trying times, this I have witnessed myself twice already this year. Quite a feat really for a band who have been together barely two years with no album to promote, just word of mouth of the faithful gig-goers. Now all their hard work playing small venues across the country has paid off and the fruits of their labour are finally ready to be shared, and that highly anticipated debut album has found its way into my inbox and now we can see what all the fuss is about. With an album recorded live in just four days at The Fish Factory in London, The Temperance Movement it seems have gone a long way to retain the feel of their live shows and keep the organic nature of their songwriting intact and sounding as fresh as possible. Attention to detail has been covered, even down to releasing it on three different coloured, double vinyl editions and also on super retro cassette. Doing it how bands used to do it, using old recording equipment and getting these songs down quick, this album is a throwback to a simpler time where it was all just about the music. There is an instant familiarity on first listen, due in part to the fact that five of the twelve tracks on offer have been previously available on the 'Pride EP', which has had a hammering already on my stereo for the last couple of months, and most of the other songs I have heard live and watched clips on YouTube. But to give them their due the instant familiarity is also due to the fact that The Temperance Movement have some mighty fine songs here. The opening one-two of 'Only Friend' and 'Ain't No Telling' immediately lets the listener know where we are heading as the guitar duo of Luke Potashnick and Paul Sayer trade sweet, bluesy riffs and licks at ease, these fit beautifully in with the laid back nature of these two songs. There is an almost gospel feel to the full band backing harmonies in the opening song, and a certain Faces rock 'n' roll vibe to its follower. 'Ain't No Telling' is one of those clever songs that follows a laid back groove yet gives the listener the most joyous and uplifting of feelings; I challenge you to see how many listens it takes before you feel the hairs on the back your neck rise to this song. But of course it is vocalist Phil Campbell who is the icing on this particular cake, the man has the sort of raspy, gravelly voice that adds balls to the rockers, yet can make you weep like a girl with the ballads, think Chris Robinson, Joe Cocker and Rod Stewart and you get where I'm coming from. The band are at their best when they are opening their hearts on songs filled with emotion and sentiment. Take the stunning 'Chinese Lanterns' for example, live it is played stripped back and acoustic, Campbell singing off mic with just Paul Sayer's lone acoustic for accompaniment, a deathly silent crowd waiting on every word. I just presumed it would be acoustic on record as well, so I was surprised to hear the full band kicking in immediately after the opening chords, yet it loses none of its beauty and charm with this fuller sound and takes pride of place as surely their strongest song. Sweet slide guitar and again those full band harmonies rear their head giving it that late '60s/early '70s vibe, coming on like a mash up of CCR and Lynyrd Skynyrd and truly taking this song to another plain, sublime perfection indeed. It's not all rock 'n' roll perfection though, sure this band are at their best when they are opening their collective heart and soul, songs about love and lost love and just finding yourself, the likes of 'Pride' and 'Lovers & Fighters' are songs filled with sentiment and emotion, beautiful and timeless. Yet at the other end of their musical spectrum there are 'Midnight Black' and 'Morning Riders', two songs that are just plain average blues rock by numbers to be honest, sounding to me like Buckcherry album tracks. But then they go and get it so right with the likes of 'Take It Back' featuring a catchy sing-a-long chorus to die for, that is sure to be sung at high volume for many a gig to come, Campbell doing his best Paul Rodgers here it drips class from every note. The funky groove of 'Know For Sure' hints at different influences here, a definite Stevie Wonder vibe if I'm not mistaken going on here to my ears, sweet music indeed. The great, warm production job on this album only goes to compliment the songs, a definite retro feel yes, but rather than transport you back in time it gives the songs a timeless feel and quality. This record sounds like it could have been recorded at any point in the last 40 years. The Temperance Movement are without a doubt hot property, an exciting live band with one of the best singers in the country and the songs to back it up. If you miss the way the first two Black Crowes albums made you feel or wonder why most modern rock 'n' roll bands don't quite hit the spot, then maybe it's time you joined The Movement. This will be a lot of people's favourite album of 2013, and while it is not the complete, perfect album I was hoping for it still has the potential to be my album of the year as well. Like many great albums it needs time to sink right into the soul and the subconscious for this listener to gain the full rewards, so let's just see how it wears in over the next few months shall we? Album of the year or not, of one thing I am certain, you need this record in your life so go order one of those fine looking double vinyl sets before they sell out, you will thank me later. Essential listening.