Newz, The - Nazareth

I almost fell off my chair when I heard that my fellow Scottish rock veterans Nazareth had a new album out. I knew they had been touring hard for the last few years but this is the first new album in nearly 10 years, and it's release celebrates the bands 40th, yes 40th anniversary, and I can honestly say I've been there with them for 35 of those 40, since I was a wee 11 year old and first heard them on my portable radio.... ah the memories!
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...band sound like? The most important part of the band was Dan McCafferty's very gravelly and whisky soaked voice. Suffice to say that proud instrument is still in fine fettle, and he can belt them out like he did at half his current age (he's well past 60 now!). The current band is a return to a basic 4 piece, McCafferty, fellow founder member Pete Agnew on bass, his son Lee on drums (replacing the sadly departed Darrell Sweet), and guitarist Jimmy ... more

I almost fell off my chair when I heard that my fellow Scottish rock veterans Nazareth had a new album out. I knew they had been touring hard for the last few years but this is the first new album in nearly 10 years, and it's release celebrates the bands 40th, yes 40th anniversary, and I can honestly say I've been there with them for 35 of those 40, since I was a wee 11 year old and first heard them on my portable radio.... ah the memories!

So, after all those years what do the band sound like? The most important part of the band was Dan McCafferty's very gravelly and whisky soaked voice. Suffice to say that proud instrument is still in fine fettle, and he can belt them out like he did at half his current age (he's well past 60 now!). The current band is a return to a basic 4 piece, McCafferty, fellow founder member Pete Agnew on bass, his son Lee on drums (replacing the sadly departed Darrell Sweet), and guitarist Jimmy Murrison.

The overall sound is classic Nazareth on steroids with a modern twist! As always there are changes in pace and shade throughout the album. The rockers are harder and heavier than ever before, the ballads are powerful and full of gut wrenching emotion thanks to Dan's superb tonsils (If you remember their version of Love Hurts, you'll know exactly what I mean!). Lyrically this isn't a band who go in for the Whitesnake or AC/DC type double entendre stuff. Here the words can be bitingly cynical (Liar - about George Dubya), and have a bit of a message. There are also a few clues to who the band have been listening to in the years since last album Boogaloo - hints of crossover funk/thrash creep in with perhaps a nod to the likes of the Red Hot Chili Peppers on one or 2 tracks.

This is a band I grew up with, and stuck with through many lean years. I've heavily criticised some of their output, especially during the 80's when they were trying to crack the States, and the sound went a bit mellow and too keyboard-heavy for my liking (although live they still raised the roof). Take my word for it, there is nothing to criticise on this album. This is a band with a vibrant new take on their classic sound, and a whole new lease of life. Let's hope it gets them the kudos they so richly deserve for plugging away in the face of the last 25 years of indifference the UK has offered them (apart from those of us who knew better).

The track listing -

1. Goin' Loco
2. Day At The Beach
3. Liar
4. See Me
5. Enough Love
6. Warning
7. Mean Streets
8. Road Trip
9. Gloria
10. Keep On Travellin'
11. Loggin' On
12. Gathering
13. Dying Breed

Oh yeah, as a PS to this... for some mad reason Ciao have this filed as an R'n'B / Dance album... yes quite 

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