Wayward Sons Are British Rock Royalty Looking For Audio Disciples

Basic rock and roll isn't such a basic commodity anymore. The current generation has been hoodwinked into thinking a computer can make good music. And from a financial standpoint, apparently that makes sense for those record labels who mass produce this garbage. A band like Wayward Sons is a smack to the culture. The pounding beat, the relentless barrage of guitars. The Bon Scott vocal delivery. For the rock and roll enthusiast, this is a jolt of champagne. There is real attitude that accompanies these drum smacking grooves.

There are hints of punk, glam and old school 70's rock. Vocalist Toby Jepson is kind of big deal in his homeland. He brings a certain kind of been there, sung that, gravitas to these 13 lyrically blunt audio explosions. Sam Wood plays his guitar loud and fast while drummer Phil Martini plays hard, loud and fast. Rounding out the rhythm section is bass player Nic Wastell. Keyboard player Dave Kemp adds another layer of sound to an already robust soundscape.

With only two tracks that clock in at over 4 minutes, this album moves along quickly and makes for a satisfying ride. Nothing bogs you down or makes you want to hit fast forward. There are no filler songs. "Any Other Way" leads off with a ferocious beat and vocal that snarls it's way through some rather rebellious lyrics. "As Black As Sin" has a punk-like AC/DC vibe, with guitars and vocals that push out in all directions. "Jokes On You" is a sunnier rocker, again with lyrics making a point. A very catchy track and one that could easily be a single. "Little White Lies" nods to the Beatles and Queen but retains the Wayward style with a punky chorus and some stylish chord variations.

"Feel Good Hit" has the amps shooting sparks, as the band rocks out on all cylinders with lyrics that again might be poking fun at the current music scene, or lack thereof. "Fade Away" is a surprisingly well crafted ballad, maybe something Ian Hunter would devise. It's a classic, memorable dirge and again would be a breakout song if radio decided to make amends with the world. "Have It Your Own Way" combines cynicism with a guitar avalanche. A bold, brazen, glammy slab of molten Marshall. "Long Line of Pretenders" has a catchy hook and combines more glam and pop, and treads new ground in the melody department. The keyboards on this track are vibrant and important to the melody and the completeness of the song.

"(If Only) God Was Real" is a call to morality in a kind of reverse osmosis feedback loop. The music again kicks it back up into turbo hard rock mode. "The Truth Ain't What It Used To Be" had me at the title. The song is propelled by a rocking rhythm guitar and some quirky lyrics that will have you focused on what might happen next. "Punchline" is another lyrical masterpiece, food for thought, ideas to ponder, put to another relentless slab of Deep Purple inspired hard rockin' bliss. "Us Against The World" offers the listener a little hope amidst the mayhem and sarcasm. It's another well crafted song that has both Queen and The Beatles in the rear view.

There's a bonus hidden track called "Totally Screwed" which takes a bit to kick in but acts as a thematic closer to a rather exhausting collection of mind blowing 70's tinged classic hard rock. Wayward Sons are a band that could lead a rock and roll revival. All they need are a few more disciples. Sign me up.