One the Juggler shone brightly for a couple of years in the early eighties before a contractual dispute laid then asunder. The band, featuring original members, Sham Morris, Jerry T Jones and Colin Minchin return with new album ‘Imperial Way’. The majority of the songs on the album reflect on the trials and tribulations of growing up in the suburban mundania of South London in the mid 60’s and 70’s (Sham Morris was born and raised in a council estate in Imperial Way in Chislehurst., though now lives in Woodstock, upstate New York}.
We are led into the album with `Imperial Way Intro` a brief dreamy reflective instrumental which runs for seventy two seconds. A number which eludes to ambitions to be entertained, the fellas share the quite rocky `Fantastic Fun` which had a bit of an early Mott The Hoople vibe.
`Jennifer Glows` has more of a reflective retro slightly psychedelic sixties feel think Edison Lighthouse. A number in praise of a certain somebody who has an overwhelming and addictive aura. There`s a rolling rhythmic beat to `I`m Only A Man` a tale of not quite meeting somebody`s romantic expectations.
`Wait For You to Come` is piano led and a slower ballad like offering with some heavy guitar riffs on route. Tinkling keys lead us into `Calico` an introspective number about a mysterious woman. The song veers from acoustic passages to more slightly orchestrated segments with a kind of aching perplexed longing in the vocal delivery.
`Twist City` opens with the sound of a suburban main road and has a pulsing beat. A number that may be about the place where the narrator lives. There`s further reflection on `Libertine` whose meaning usually refers to an individual leading an extremely hedonistic or dissolute lifestyle and it seems to touch on somebody who the narrator longs for who has or is the catalyst that brings out these behavioural issues in the relator.
The melodic dreamy `Hypnotised (Again)` tips it`s hat to Bowie`s early reflective musings whereas `Madam Callenza` evokes the melancholy of somebody who recollects better days in the past, a sentimental yearning for the salad days of youthful times.
`Stoned On Love` is a powerful anthem and an ode to love and devotion, a real seventies tinged foot stomper of a number. The Final cut is the title track `Imperial Way` an extended version of the dreamy reflective opener with lyrics, a kind of homage for where you grew up that will always be part of your DNA.
`Imperial Way` was an appealing listen with vocals that had a slight inflection and a sound that at times seemed to be more retro and nostalgic. It takes a few listens to open up and i`m sure it`ll offer much more when I return to it once again.
Rating 8/10
