I’m utterly convinced about many things. One of them is that real life isn’t reflected in the news.
Most people are decent, it seems to me, and you’d never know it from what’s beamed into our homes.
Luke Morley might agree too, judging by the downright cheeriness of the opener to Walks On Water.
Essentially, “Natural High” has a smile on its face—and so does everyone it encounters.
Which brings me to another core belief. If I’m never quite sure what the word “underrated” really means, then I will say this: I’m not sure Luke Morley gets the credit he deserves.
Thunder are one of the finest bands these shores have ever produced, and Morley was their creative force.
Now, with the band on hiatus, Morley—these days a sometime Quireboy too—is back with a second solo record in under two years. Those creative juices have to flow somewhere, right?
This time, they’ve moved across the Atlantic, it seems, because that’s very much the vibe here.
Whether it’s the CCR-flavoured title track or the mid-paced “Breathe” that follows, everything is soaked in that warm Americana magic.
Of course, he can play magnificently—and the solos are top class—but it’s the range and nuance of his songwriting that still surprises.
The wide-eyed wonder of “Texas” takes him a long way from home, and it’s brimming with enthusiasm.
In fact, that’s the common thread throughout. Even when he doubts himself, as on “Always A Saturday Night,” there’s a silver lining—here, personified by the uplifting soul backing vocals.
He wields an acoustic brilliantly too, particularly on “Gun To Your Head,” which deals with negativity and might just hold the album’s most personal line: “If you let your history define you, then you’ll be a slave to your past.”
“Snakeskin Parachute” cranks up the energy—a bluesy, hard rocker full of self-deprecation and a mighty chorus. But by and large, these tracks feel—creditably—like ones Thunder couldn’t have done. You can imagine Danny Bowes singing “Forever And Again,” but it would have sounded different. Morley’s voice, always a bit underappreciated, is outstanding here.
The Kinks might have enjoyed “Bullets,” but lyrically it’s a sharply sardonic takedown of the 21st century. Meanwhile, “Don’t You Cry Now” has guitar work that nods toward Gary Moore.
An album that largely feels relaxed and contented finishes with “In Your Light.” Warm as a summer breeze, it looks back on life and concludes: “no use in worrying, que sera sera.”
Maybe the last few years have taught him to live by that mantra. If so, it’s a pretty good one to follow.
It might be a bit on the nose to say he walks on water—but Walks On Water is yet another example of why Luke Morley is simply one of the best we’ve ever had.
Rating: 8.5/10
