Atomic Boogie Hour - Lee Rocker & Big Blue

Advantages: Some new and different sounds from the band
Disadvantages: Disappointing opening and closing tracks

...The morning of Saturday 8th November was an exciting one. One week after being informed by CDWOW that the new Blue CD, Guilty, was winging its way to me, the thud through the letterbox told me it was here. I immediately got Paul to work, taping it for my car as I was travelling to and from Manchester and I have no CD player in my car. I was hoping that the trip would give me ample opportunity to listen to the album a few times – what I wasn’t banking on was Jacob chattering on for 2 hours solid and expecting replies to his every question and statement. Unfortunately, not much listening took place. But now it is all quiet so I’ve grabbed my CD player and I’m going to have a proper listen to the album, with hopefully no interruptions. Of course, it’s all in the name of Ciao research – oh yes, and the fact that I’m going to see them live... Read review

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Advantages: Sees Lee Ryan in a whole new light...
Disadvantages: There really isn't any...

...Track listing: 1. Army Of Lovers 2. Turn Your Car Around 3. When I Think of You 4. Real Love 5. Parking 6. Kissing You 7. Close to You 8. Miss My Everything 9. Daydreamer 10. Jump 11. How Do I? 12. In The Morning I have always been a big fan of Blue and Lee has always been my fave. He is just so extremely talented with a voice of an angel. This album sees him change from boyband member to solo star and i would have to say that it was definately a good decision to try his hand at his own work. This album, in my opinion, hears musical influences from such artists as Marvin Gaye and Luther Vandross among others. Debut single, Army of Lovers, starts the album off and as the album plays on, it just gets better and better. Second Single, Turn Your Car Around, is an acoustic style track which i love to listen... Read review

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Advantages: See text
Disadvantages: See text

...three-chord rock’n’roll box of tricks to make it memorable. ‘O Baby’ follows, based on the simplest of guitar riffs imaginable, and a good vehicle for the twin lead guitars of Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt. After these two fast rockers, a couple of comparatively restrained tracks follow, both clocking in at nearly six minutes each. ‘A Year’, one of two co-written by bassist Alan Lancaster, has a nice sense of light and shade, and sad lyrics about it being a whole year since the loss of a loved one, although it tends to drag on. No such complaints about the subtle ‘Unspoken Words’, which shows that like the early (Peter Green-led) Fleetwood Mac, they could play a good slow melodic blues tune as well as rock. Next up is probably the heaviest track of the lot, ‘Big Fat Mama... Read review

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