Foghat are back and Bernard? Well, he’s thrilled
Foghat are back and listening to this album it’s hard to believe they ever went away. To my generation they will be remembered for their early 70’s success in the ‘States; for today’s i-phone generation they will know them from Guitar Hero. Either way it’s the track ‘Slow Ride’ that will be familiar to everyone. This 9 minute serving of guitar boogie has been a staple of US radio ever since and it was no surprise to see it appear in a guitar playing game, after all everyone has been playing air guitar to it for years!
Only drummer Roger Earl remains from the original line-up, though bass player bass player Craig MacGregor has been on board since 1977. The current band line-up is completed by guitarist Bryan Bassett (Wild Cherry, Molly Hatchett) and Charlie Huhn (Ted Nugent, Humble Pie). However the key to the success of this album will be the fact that they have linked up with hot-shot producer and songwriter Tom Hambridge. Fans of ZZ Top, Buddy Guy, Joe Bonamassa and many others will be familiar with his work (also check out his solo albums as they are all good). He’s provided the whole record with a commercial sheen to both the writing and production. It’s therefore loaded with up-tempo guitar rock that fizzes out of the speakers. The new material is great; particularly Heart Gone Cold’, ‘Hot Mama’ and ‘Knock It Off’. There is even a revamped version of the aforesaid ‘Slow Ride’ and a cover of ‘Heard It Through The Grapevine’. The whole thing is stuffed full of potential radio hits and I can imagine this album will be a staple of American radio for years to come.
9/10
