“Back From Behind The Sun” seems to be aptly named, or actually, maybe “back from the back of beyond” might be better.
In 2016, one of the guys that used to write some bits and pieces for the site back then, wrote a piece called “Iconic Eye: A Year In Review”. I had a quick glance at it when I wrote this, and as if to prove that four years is a long time in rock n roll, then only one of the band remains.
That is main man Greg Dean, and what he’s done for this five tracker – a kind of welcome back if you will – has seen him continue the new direction that was taken in 2017 with the addition of a female singer.
For this one, there’s another new lady at the helm, and Janey Smith does a mighty job, singing incredibly and co-writing three of the tunes.
It starts with one that she doesn’t write, but no matter, she owns the title track, thumping driving energy, and I’d written “Magnum and Vega” on my notes even before I’d bothered to read the fact that one of the new boys Mike Dagnall was in the former and another Jon Cooksey drummed for Bob Catley on his solo records. Both of them were in the underrated Brummie band Dante Fox too, which is worth noting because this is not a band that is finding it’s feet again. This is a band – probably because of the experience – that sounds fully formed.
The cover of Jefferson Starship’s “Jane” is perfect for them too. Not just because of the obvious name thing, but it gives them a chance to show their skills. In truth, all these are superb and classy though.
“Ghost Town” written by Smith at the start of the pandemic after a trip to her village shop, rockets along like prime FM with added 70s stack harmonies, and “Have My Day” – which rather sounds like a promise wrapped up in a threat, adds more groove, perhaps and a bit of a harder edge, but still lives and dies on its melody.
The last one is a dose of proper 80s rock, the way it used to be. Think Bon Jovi about the second record, and you just know that everyone here enjoyed “Femme Fatale”, lets be honest, you can hear it throughout.
“Back Around The Sun” shines bright, it’s a hot release, and ok, even without the dreadful puns, its utterly clear that Iconic Eye intend to make a statement in 2021.
Rating 8.5/10
