Virgil And The Accelerators - Army Of Three (Album Review)
Wednesday, 08 October 2014
Written by Simon Ramsay
Photo: Martin Lewis
When a young band bursts onto the scene with a highly praised debut album, following it can be a tricky proposition. Seemingly unfazed by the challenge, Virgil and The Accelerators have comfortably hurdled any notion of a 'sophmore slump' with a feisty hard-rock record that boasts an impressive level of craftsmanship.
To behold frontman Virgil McMahon on stage is to be hurtled back to a 1970s where rock gods ruled the earth, such is his classic get up of wild curly locks, leather jacket and unbuttoned shirt. When it comes to his band's music, it's fair to say that appearances aren't deceptive.
Along with his drumming brother Gabriel and bassist Jack Alexander Timmis, this precocious power-trio may use their love of fiery blues-based rock ‘n' roll as a starting point, but they also incorporate ideas from the wider musical cosmos to stamp their own sonic imprint on proceedings.
Opener Take Me Higher is a seven minute case in point, with its spiritual, windswept ambience and shamanic vocal making you feel like you're standing atop a misty mountain, before it flings you over the edge with blunt force power chords and instrumental passages that swirl like elegant tornadoes.
Their time spent touring 2011’s 'The Radium' has fed into 'Army Of Three', making it a harder, meaner affair that throbs with the incendiary energy of a well drilled live outfit who know how to work a crowd.
Blow To The Head and All Night Long epitomise that, with the former spitting out heat seeking NWOBHM riffage and fist-pumping shouts to make for an instant anthem. The latter's pummelling boogie sounds like Queen's Tie Your Mother Down on a cocaine binge, with a scintillating solo that highlights how Virgil instinctively blends virtuosity with melodic phrasing to catapult the songs to the next level.
For this effort producer Chris Tsangarides brings an in-your-kisser intensity to tracks like It Burns, where scuzzystreetwise lyrics, jackhammer rhythms and an irresistible chorus are given authentic heft by Virgil's weathered bark.
For all the amped up mayhem, two understated tracks steal the show with their emotional, soulful smoothness. Love Aggression has such a classic feel you'll swear you've heard it before as its beautifully crooned hook buries itself in your head, while Through The Night wraps heartfelt pleading and delicate guitar work around a bass line that's like a funkier take on Bon Jovi's Livin' On A Prayer.
There are also some bluesy atmospherics on the claustrophobic Anymore, and on Free the band steers into southern rock territory, while managing to crowbar a bridge lifted from Pink Floyd's 'The Divison Bell' into its down home LynyrdSkynyrd grooves.
The only flaw is their tendency to open a song up when reining it in would be preferable. For example, the petrol-guzzling ZZTop-esque Get It Up lasts over five minutes when a shorter version would maximise its punchy impact.
As enjoyable as this album is, you get the feeling that these guys are still developing, still finding their voice, and that their best is yet come. If they continue to mature at this rate – and they're only in their early 20s - then the stated interest of 'world domination' on their Facebook page will seem more prophetic than tongue in cheek.
Virgil And The Accelerators Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Fri October 17 2014 - SUTTON Boom Boom Club
Sat October 18 2014 - MANCHESTER Ruby Lounge
Wed October 22 2014 - SOUTHAMPTON Talking Heads
Fri October 24 2014 - HULLBRIDGE Touchline
Sat October 25 2014 - FERRYHILL Mainsforth Community Centre
Sun October 26 2014 - CHISLEHURST Beaverwood Club
Fri October 31 2014 - DONCASTER Leopard
Sat November 01 2014 - DEVIZES Long Street Blues
Sun November 02 2014 - SWANSEA Scene
Sat November 08 2014 - DERBY Flowerpot
Wed November 12 2014 - WOLVERHAMPTON Robin
Wed November 19 2014 - WOLVERHAMPTON Robin 2
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