When “All Fired Up” emerged late last year, you took one listen to it and – if you were a fan back in the day – you went: “Christ, man, Gun are back” (when I say “you” I mean “me”….)
What I mean is Gun are superb. But in honesty, Gun are superb because of their first three albums. Those records are as good as any that came out between 89-94. One of the songs they released back then, “Don’t Say It’s Over” remains a top ten of all time for me.
And to start this – their first album of all new material since 2017 – with a song like that is a statement. Indeed, by the solo that Joolz Gizzi plays here, I’ve forgiven for the fact that I was twice supposed to interview his brother, singer Dante but on both occasions, his phone was off (just to be clear I haven’t forgiven them for how bad the “Frantic” album was).
Gun 2024, are basically like Gun 1992 (that’s the year that “Gallus” came out) as there’s a real feel of it on the harmonies of “Boys Don’t Cry”, and while “Take Me Back Home” might have a slightly more modern rock, its got that retro roll.
There are choruses here, hooks a go-go, and the guitar work of Gizzi and Ruaraidh “Roo” Macfarlane is as good as it gets – he is now a “full member” after Tommy Gentry did one just before their acoustic tour last spring (as an aside I saw one of the shows and they were visibly furious).
“Fake Life” gets glam rock bonus points, even before the twin solo has shades of Lizzy, and even when the pace slows, like it does on “Falling” it does with real skill. A pop sensibility (being an out-and-out rock band never seemed to sit quite right with Gun. So they have a dabble with a bit of bluesy stuff on “You Are What I Need”. It’s the first song of this type Gun have done for ages and more please.
This type of thing gets said so often it might seem cliché, but honestly, Gun sound reinvigorated here. “Never Enough” does that for you, “Don’t Hide Your Fears Tonight” has just a touch of Simple Minds ambition. A little bit of….swagger, if you like (pun intended).
The bass groove of “Lucky Guy” anchors that one down, and if they are happy with their lot, then well they might be. For damn sure, fists are raised in its chorus, and the last one on the album proper. “A Shift In Time” is a simple plea for unity and togetherness. Initially acoustic, it soon explodes.
There’s three bonus tracks too: “Coming Back To You” explores the type of areas Bon Jovi should, “Wrong To Be Right” is a glorious boogie, and “Pride” has the same energy and rock n roll vibe that all of “Hombres” does. All three could have graced the record.
No less a luminary than Steve Harris (a man who loves Gun even more than I do) has pronounced that this has some of their best songs on since Gallus. He’s not wrong.
It’s a brilliant record. Comfortably their best for three decades. Good to have you back, my friends.
Rating 9/10
