The sequel to
'2 'is already here and the super group Black
Country Communion does not waste their time, they
release another album 'Afterglow', which is a fuming
disc with very bluesy melodies. It is of course
Glenn Hughes, who is the brain behind this project
and Derek Sherenian, Joe Bonamassa and Jason Bonham
are still in the band. Super groups like this aren't
usually as productive as Black Country Communion has
been, one or two albums before their big egos take
over is the standard.
Black Country Communion has created something
special, something that attracts the mature
listeners, who wants to have both catchy bluesy
melodies and heavy guitar riffs as a seasoning in
the musical rock buffet, which we are served on
'Afterglow'.. The mixture between the slow, heavy
blues sound and melodic rock style is at the same
time a bit weird to me. Black Country Communion has
whip together something entertaining, playful &
groovy and at the same time they give us an
unrivalled musical spectacle from the instrumental
geniuses that Glenn has surrounded himself with. It
becomes a peculiar rock/blues smorgasbord of musical
delicacies that you can pick and choose between.
If I compare '2' and this disc, there's nothing new
under the sky really, but every small part feels
little better and cleaner. Two differences are that
Derek's excellent keyboards have more space and
Jason's drums have a heavier sound and are in the
front this time.
But to me Mr. Bonamassa's guitar licks are the
biggest reason why I listen to the album so many
times. I believe that he don't need Black Country
Communion as much as Black Country Communion needs
him. Glenn's big vocals on 'Afterglow' might be the
best I've heard him in years. These four musical
giants trigger each other into a very high level and
the sound is fat as thick fog. Black Country
Communion has contributed so much ear candy on this
disc that I find it hard to pick my own personal
gems. This disc took me many listenings before I
have sorted out all the small and big and golden
twists, which are interwoven in this tasteful
production that super producer Kevin Shirley has
created.
Is this the best album from Black Country Communion
so far? In my opinion: Yes! It's heavier and more
complete somehow. I liked '2' also, but my overall
feeling is that if my fears comes true and this is
their last album as a band, this is a dazzling
concluding album from Black Country Communion. I
hope this is not the last album anyway, but if it is
then it's a strong ending. Strongly recommended.
My favourite
songs on "Afterglow": "Big Train", "Afterglow",
"Dandelion", "Common Man", "This is Your Time",
"Crawl" and "Confessor".
