Tom Meighan`s personal troubles and difficulties have been well documented, acknowledged, addressed, and forgiven more importantly and significantly by the person who was most affected by them. The former Kasabian frontman releases his latest solo album `Roadrunner` this month with themes of love, passion, and madness. The album follows his top twenty debut album `The Reckoning`.
We are introduced to this release with `Use It Or Lose It` which races along as if there`s a time limit to get all that needs to be said over and done before it`s too late, a blistering marker to lay down as an introduction. There`s no let up as `White Lies` has what I’d refer to as a Kasabian vibe, a pulsating track that dives into the complexities of truth.
`Silver Lining` is a contemplative rhythmic slow burn that rolls along and really draws you in. At times it felt as if it was orchestrated with what sounded like some occasional strings. There was a fairly anthemic feel to `We Can Do It` which is maybe related to the changes in the singer`s approach to life. A number that will become a fist pumper live.
`Better Life` is a reflective meditative ballad which the singer shared that he`d written for his wife Vikki when he played in my hometown before Christmas. We enjoy a delightfully hypnotic and fairly psychedelic composition with `High On You` a number that`s really mesmerising.
`Headcase` is another scorching offering and at times sounds as if it`s rapped. It has some “oohh oohh” harmonies that you`ll find hard not to join in on. There was a vast quite expansive almost cinematic feel to `Exorcist`.
`Sneaky One` had a fairly jagged edge to it, a track that has a fairly alluring, captivating charm about it. For me `Do Your Thing` was much more soulful and pensive. The album ends with a hugely reflective final submission in `Would You Mind` which is delightfully orchestrated, a really powerful number to lead us out of this release. `Roadrunner` I’m sure could have been that difficult second album but to me it felt as if the singer has kind of found his own way and is making music that he really wants to. There`s a delightful balance on this album with anthemic stadium fillers, blistering rock outs and some deeply thought-provoking ballads and slow burns.
If it`s redemption or absolution that was being sought here, for me it was acquired.
Tom Meighan has always oozed with charisma, passion and stage presence and I felt `Roadrunner` went a long way to finally capturing that on record.
Rating 9/10
