Absolution - Issues (2012)

Personnel:
Joe Fawcett (Guitar, Vocals)
Ben Gardner (Bass Guitar)
Doug Lang (Drums, Percussion)

You certainly wouldn’t think that Absolution were a recently formed blues band with their debut album Issues. Hailing from the East Anglia, England, the power trio consisting of Joe Fawcett (singer and guitar), Ben Gardner (bass) and Doug Lane (drums) have created a mature, well structured electric blues record that’s highly listenable, with true flashes of brilliance.

The first half of the record has a sort of toned down, mid-tempo, electric blues style, but with some big riffs, great drumming and singing. “Train Ride” opens with a roar of the guitar and the rumble of the drums, giving a clever effect appearing again in the middle of the track. The singer’s soft voice (who can hit quite a range of notes) cushions nicely against the music. “Blind Man Crying,” “She Got The Money” follow the same riff focused rock style. “Broken Man” has a fast rhythm and some fairly dynamic drumming worthy of note. “Cross The Void” was the only track that didn’t work for me. What is meant to be a melancholic and emotional song; simply doesn’t suit to the singer’s voice in this case. His vocals are flat making the song seem listless and passionless. However the second half of the record is where it flourishes. With some heavier riffs and rhythms “Drifting” and “Temperature” are fiercely original tracks, so well structured and just great to listen to. “Slipping Away” is the band’s slow, bar room blues number, with a Joe Bonamassa technique. It’s steady, with soaring vocals and the influx of the guitar and a powerful solo; blues flawlessness. Finally “Fool’s Disaster” has an apocalyptic tone, with a fast, heavy rhythm; it’s essentially a sort of protest song with some great guitar work. After a short break the track continues with a sinister voice and screeching guitar capturing an ominous sound.

Apart from one track the album is almost faultless. Even the song “Absolution” which clearly uses a Zeppelin riff, works because they use it effectively. It’s obvious from the first listen that these guys are exceptional musicians because this is an excellent album that requires many listens. Expect to hear more from this rising band. The Review: 9/10 ~Review by Josh May