Heavy Traffic - Status Quo

...that driving beat, maybe not heavy rock (whatever that hackneyed phrase means in the 21st century), but it's powerful stuff, that instantly recognisable mix of bar chords on guitar, organ and harmonica sneaking in and out of Francis Rossi’s vocals, that indefinable drive. And they still pepper everything with those infectious pop hooks and harmonies that'll have you singing along (or quietly wielding an air guitar) with a grin on your face.
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...I can't get nowhere - Heavy traffic is bringin' me down". Especially if you're competing with everyone else on the roads during rush hour at the same time. 'Jam Side Down' was a Top 20 single in August 2002 (which makes 34 years of hits - staying power or what?), and it may be closer to lightweight pop than rock, but if you saw the tongue-in-cheek video shot on board HMS Ark Royal, screened on 'TOTP2' at the time, you can't hear this without ... more

Certain unashamed cloth-eared critics have been heard to suggest that all Status Quo records (apart from 'Rock'n'Roll', 'In The Army Now', 'Who Gets The Love' and one or two others) sound exactly the same.

I've never subscribed to the above theory myself. There's no denying that Quo have a pretty identifiable sound, but they've been ploughing that particular furrow for over three decades and despite the odd lacklustre album or two (not least some contract-filling live sets and cover version packages), they've done it pretty well.

Why don't they try something completely different for a change, you may ask. Well, as a longtime fan, if I'd purchased a new Quo album without hearing it and found it consisted mainly of 20-minute ambient chill out epics [sic] or Oedipal-cum-mysogynistic gangsta rappin', I'd have been mighty hacked off. Hands up any UB40 fans who would be similarly disappointed to receive a new album by their heroes that didn't sound 99% exactly like the last 15 UB40 albums or so.

I rest my case. Now cut to the chase (or the music).

From the opening chords of 'Blues & Rhythm', you know it's going to be vintage Quo. There's that driving beat, maybe not heavy rock (whatever that hackneyed phrase means in the 21st century), but it's powerful stuff, that instantly recognisable mix of bar chords on guitar, organ and harmonica sneaking in and out of Francis Rossi’s vocals, that indefinable drive. And they still pepper everything with those infectious pop hooks and harmonies that'll have you singing along (or quietly wielding an air guitar) with a grin on your face.

While we're about it, a few observations which apply not only to this track but to several others. For the first time in quite a while, the band really sound like their hearts are in it. Francis takes lead vocals on most tracks as usual, but when Rick Parfitt grabs the mic for some of the more rousing stuff, you can tell the difference straightaway. Those guitar solos really rock and soar at the same time, Andy Bown's chords, hammering of the ivories à la Little Richard, and gliss andi on the piano and organ give the sound that added depth, and his bluesy harmonica makes a tremendous difference. John Edwards' bass drives the whole thing on well without sounding obtrusive, while as for new drummer Matthew Letley - well, he punishes his kit the way all sticksmen should do. I always felt his predecessor Jeff Rich was content to keep steady time without putting everything he had into it. In which case, on his first album with the band, Matt has helped give them a new lease of life.

There are only so many things that can be said about Quo's music in general, but overall I think it's probably the most consistent set they've delivered since 'Never Too Late' in 1981. 'All Stand Up (Never Say Never)' is a mighty, air-punching anthem with overtones of 'Down Down', that I can see going down a storm onstage - in fact, having seen them live three times before, that goes for several of these tracks. 'The Oriental' is one of those quirky little pop numbers they come up with every now and again. Daft rhymes in the lyrics ("Her name was Mia, from North Korea, I said come over, Bring your Land Rover" - haaaa!), chirpy tune, and like 'Marguerita Time' it's well done even if ultimately the kind of song you might not want to hear too often.

Timed nicely to follow is 'Creepin' Up On You'. More big fat guitar chords and riffs, more nifty harmonica, more tried and trusted blues'n'boogie, and who cares if this is more than a tad reminiscent of 'Roll Over Lay Down', or 'Break The Rules', or 'Rain'? Much the same can be said about track 6, 'Solid Gold', but that's one of the clever things about Quo. You can nearly always point to something earlier in their lengthy back catalogue and say, 'Ah, but it sounds just like Such'n'such Revisited.’ Maybe it does, but there's always that little new twist in the next song that makes it sound instantly different.

The most immediate, commercial cuts have to be the title track, and 'Jam Side Down', the only non-Quo composition on the album. 'Heavy Traffic' itself has such a corker of a chorus, that you'll find yourself singing along in no time - "I wanna drive, I wanna drive, but I can't get nowhere - Heavy traffic is bringin' me down". Especially if you're competing with everyone else on the roads during rush hour at the same time. 'Jam Side Down' was a Top 20 single in August 2002 (which makes 34 years of hits - staying power or what?), and it may be closer to lightweight pop than rock, but if you saw the tongue-in-cheek video shot on board HMS Ark Royal, screened on 'TOTP2' at the time, you can't hear this without a broad smile.

'Green' is something different yet again. Trading in the electric guitars for acoustics, supplemented by restrained organ fills and drums, this is a little more easy on the ear. To the casual listener, it's probably the most out-of-character track here, though if pressed I could name several other songs of theirs from the early 70s that are similar in mood. Much the same goes for 'Diggin' Burt Bacharach' with its whimsical tongue-twisting lyrics and a jaunty guitar lick straight out of their long-time stage favourite 'Gerdundula'. Oh, and will Mr Bacharach be returning the compliment?

That leaves five more tracks to go. No complaints either about 'Do It Again', 'Another Day' (no relation to songs of the same title, these) or 'Money Don't Matter', and if they don't sparkle as brightly as the others, it's certainly intended as no criticism. But 'I Don't Remember Anymore' is a real rock'n'roll stormer, Rick handling lead vocals on a 100 mph paean to hangovers and a devil-may-care intention to party - "I wanna sail the TV round the swimming pool, I want my name in lights a la Johnny B. Goode, be an all-night loon like Ronnie Wood."

The closing number, 'Rhythm Of Life', isn't quite a ballad, more of a subtle, mid tempo-to-slow rolling blues that brings an hour or so of listening to a neat finish.

If you loved Quo years ago but thought they were going off the boil, maybe 'Heavy Traffic' will restore your faith in them. If you only know them from the odd single and wonder why your Dad swears by 'em, grab a listen to this and rest assured that sometimes father does know best. Five stars and an unequivocal thumbs up from me. Now where's that air guitar?

"But man, Status Quo are uncool and should have been forcibly retired long ago. They're, er, old."

Look, who really cares if Francis, Rick and Andy are all on the wrong side of 50? Stop being ageist, and go back to your Pop Idol or Limp Bizkit albums, OK?
 

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