Glenn Hughes is a phenomenon. Fifty years or more, and no sign of letting up. Always eager to stretch himself. This year alone you’ve heard him with Robbie Williams, Tony Iommi and Satriani.
How does he keep it so fresh? I know there’s no retirement age in rock ’n’ roll, but my goodness, as “Voice In My Head” kicks this into roaring action, it sounds incredible.
“Chosen” is his first solo album in nine years. He’s been busy. There’s been Black Country Communion, of course, but also the small matter of turning The Dead Daisies from a very good band into arguably the best hard rock outfit on the planet for a couple of albums.
As he says himself: “I generally write and record when I’ve something to say.” In that case, “My Alibi” and the likes scream “I’m back!” very loudly indeed.
The title track broods before exploding into its chorus, while “Heal” has all the arena rock energy you could ever need.
It’s ferociously heavy too. Maybe reflecting the anger of the times, the groove on “In The Golden” is a real shaker.
“The Lost Parade” perhaps underlines what I was saying about the modernity. More latter-day Alice In Chains than chained to classic rock (unless AIC are classic rock these days, in which case we’re all old), it’s forward-thinking brilliance. Oh, and by the way, no one sings like Glenn Hughes.
There’s a tinge of blues playfulness to “Hot Damn Thing”, while one of the singles he put out before the album dropped, “Black Cat Moan”, has a funky riff that knows the sleazy side of town and exactly where to go to find trouble.
Psychedelics colour “Come And Go”, all hazy warmth and relaxation. “In this wonderland we come and go”—as if at peace with his place in the world.
The last one proves there’s no letting up even down in the deep cuts, as his bass (and it’s been remiss of us not to mention his playing until now) anchors “Into The Fade”.
Yet this is very much not the work of someone destined to fade.
The answer, of course, is in a line from that aforementioned opening song: “Shallow people I can’t stand.” That’s it right there. That’s his solo career. It has a depth and meaning that only Glenn Hughes could bring.
Be glad he’s chosen to share “Chosen” with us.
One of the records of the year.
Rating: 9.5/10
