Remember Hurricane # 1? Maybe you recall ‘Only The Strongest Will Survive’, which controversially soundtracked a TV ad for The Sun and instantly lost them credibility? Singer Alex Lowe resurfaces with an album of scuzzy guitars and tender ballads, on Alan McGee’s new label (his old ex-Ride band mate Andy Bell tips away with Beady Eye). As motormouth McGee comments: “For an ex-boxer, he writes great ballads.” UK cyclist Bradley Wiggins is a fan.
Well, they’re not all great, Mr. McGee. ‘We Can’t Always Be The Ones’ is a touch maudlin. ‘All I Want For You’ is a much better weepy in a similiar but far more effective vein.
Thankfully, there’s real diversity here. Gun Club Cemetery are far better when they splinter off into different directions and let it all hang out. ‘Need A Helping Hand’ is a soothing slice of everything will- be-alright rock. ‘Sunset Shadows’ dabbles in psychedelia, while ‘Get It Down’ turns the guitars up to eleven in an in-yer-face, balls to-the-floor Oasis kind of way.
Indeed, Mr. McGee comments in his new book, “They (Hurricane # 1) probably arrived about nine months too late to really capitalise on the Britpop fad.” It’s nice to see Lowe’s new band have made a much greater effort to be themselves.

Key Track: 'Get It Down'