Tuesday 20 October 2015

Gentlemans Pistols - Hustler's Row (Album Review)


Release date: October 16h 2015. Label: Nuclear Blast Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Hustler's Row – Tracklisting

1. The Searcher
2. Devil’s Advocate On Call
3. Time Wasters
4. Private Rendezvous
5. Stress & Confusion
6. Personal Fantasy Wonderland
7. Lady Teaser
8. Dazzle Drizzler
9. Coz Of You
10. Hustler’s Row

Band Members:

James Atkinson
Bill Steer
Stuart Dobbins
Robert Threapleton

Review:

Since forming over a decade ago, Gentlemans Pistols have been cranking out their songs of debauchery and hard living with a confident swagger and with third album Hustlers Row have come up with their best work yet.

Following 2011s At Her Majesty's Pleasure, Hustlers Row sees the band doing what they do best but definitely doing it bigger with a fantastic set of songs. The likes of Humble Pie and a Wishbone Ash are still a big influence on the band but there is more of an added catchy influence from the The Sweet this time around especially on tracks like Dazzle Drizzler.

The classic rock n roll of Coz Of You, the rollicking groove of Devils Advocate On Call and blazing opening track The Searcher keep the energy levels high while the more introspective likes of Stress & Confusion and the wonderfully mournful title track give the album a good balance of up and down temp classic rock songs.

Hustlers Rows standout moment has to be Private Rendezvous, a high energy romp that is reminiscent of Free at their peak with a storming vocal performance from front-man James Atkinson and a classic Bill Steer guitar solo. The catchy riffs here really drive the track forward in the best way possible and there is a real feel-good factor that will put a massive smile on the face of the listener.

The band themselves play a blinder with the passionate vocals of James Atkinson soaring on every track. Bill Steers guitar playing is as sublime as ever on the album (check out his solo on Lady Teaser and the aforementioned Private Rendezvous for proof!) and is reminiscent of his work with the brilliant Firebird and it's good to hear him playing his heart out and the dual guitars from Steer and Atkinson work perfectly. Add in a solid backbone by the rhythm section of Robert Threapleton and Stuart Dobbins and you have a vintage performance by the band

With Hustlers Row, Gentlemans Pistols have made a big album with even bigger songs and with the likes of Rival Sons, Blackberry Smoke and The Temperance Movement gaining critical kudos, selling more records and playing bigger and bigger venues, there is no reason why Gentlemans Pistols won't be joining them and Hustlers Row is the album that will do this for them. This is a great album full of anthemic songs executed in the most life affirming way possible.

Words by Gavin Brown

Order the album here from Nuclear Blast Records.

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