Husband and wife vocals and a classic rock sound—that’s the headline when it comes to Eddie And The Wolves.
And it probably wasn’t just me who, when reading those words, thought of When Rivers Meet.
When it comes to this particular pack, though, that doesn’t really apply.
Even from the synth-laden intro for “The Devil’s Wrong, But Not to Blame,” it’s clear that Edd and Char Saffell are doing it their way. There’s a big, slide-driven groove, but with an energy all its own.
It’s also a proper riff-driven record. The title track is exactly that as Edd and Cain Paisley find something special—and those harmonies sparkle.
There’s something primal about “Voodoo,” which sees Char take the lead vocal. In doing so, the band gives Blues Pills a run for their money.
Joe Griffiths’ bass acts as the anchor for the anger on “Blood Runs Cold”—which, as much as anything, shines a light on their ability to write sensational choruses.
Ben Gaines on drums ensures that “Different Kinda Girl” stomps. Disco? Not quite, but it’s not far off.
And if that’s not in the classic rock book of clichés, then neither is anything else they do. “One Night” finds some soul, and while this has “rock” roots (of course it does), what it’s not is retro.
“Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us,” which might have been their mission statement, is actually a stoic ballad, while the simplicity, even innocence, of “Come Out With Me Tonight” takes the album into some Stereophonics-type waters. And if you didn’t expect that, then expecting the unexpected is the hallmark of Eddie And The Wolves.
“You might be surprised what you find,” sings Edd in its hook. He might be talking about “Tasty Sin” in general.
They hail from Derby, like Doomsday Outlaw and These Wicked Rivers, and on the evidence of the eight songs here, Eddie And The Wolves are ones to watch, just like those two once were.
Rating: 8.5/10
