Predictability can be a double-edged sword; both something to aspire to and rebel against depending on the context. Take British veterans Thunder. For nearly 30 years, their output has followed an established bluesy rock ‘n’ roll template with fairly consistent results. As such, it’s been easy to take them for granted. But on ‘Rip It Up’, the 11th record of their career, they’ve effectively painted a target on the back of our expectations and set about blowing them away.
Although closer to a traditional Thunder effort, 2015’s ‘Wonder Days’ – the group’s stellar comeback after separating for a second time in 2009 – began laying the foundations for this follow up on tracks like Black Water and The Rain, both of which waded into broader stylistic waters without losing sight of land. A storm was brewing then, but on ‘Rip It Up’ they’re clearly not in Kansas anymore.
Opener No One Gets Out Alive makes that crystal clear. The song’s life-affirming groove apes Led Zeppelin’s Custard Pie and initially seems like standard fare.
But it progresses in unexpected ways, with a pumped-up intro that builds for a minute before Danny Bowes’ vocals begin - almost unheard of for Thunder - and a solo section that detours into lysergic ‘70s jazz.
‘Rip It Up’ doesn’t so much rewrite the band’s DNA as exhibit delightful mutations in their genetic makeup. The title track’s infectious stomp is Bad Company meets The Jean Genie, but an eerie slide solo and swirling Beatles-esque harmonies add unexpected flourishes.
She Likes The Cocaine’s muted guitar swagger recalls the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Weezer before swelling into Rolling Stones territory replete with banshee backing vocals from Lynne Jackaman. Only Tumbling Down begins like U2, until some thudding blue-rock riffage barges The Edge off stage.
For all the evolution this is still unmistakably Thunder, but an added depth of sonic detail makes everything feel fresh and exciting. In Another Life references Alannah Myles’ Black Velvet courtesy of Chris Childs’ moody bass prowl, while Ben Matthews’ atmospheric organ passages meld exquisitely with some tasty six-string phrases. The cinematic spaghetti western dynamic of Heartbreak Hurricane, meanwhile, reveals tantalising new instrumental flavours with every spin.
Then there’s the imperious ballad Right From The Start. Sounding like a James Bond theme with unusual chord voicings and a slightly off-kilter melody, Bowes’ soulful delivery is as spine-tingling as ever and Luke Morley cuts loose with a career best two minute guitar break. It’s a contrast to many of his textured leads on this record and all the more powerful as a result.
‘Rip It Up’ is also thematically cohesive and further proof of what an underrated songwriter Morley is. Seemingly informed by many of his musical heroes having recently passed away, the album’s focus is on how we negotiate, find meaning and thrive in this fleeting human experience, while conversely attacking those who abuse it. Shakedown and The Chosen One are superb attitude-drenched rockers, but won’t be easy listening for anyone called Tony Blair or Rebekah Brooks, for example.
Although it would have been nice to hear more of the big backing vocals that featured on earlier records, this is a new day and the band has rightly moved on. ‘Rip It Up’ is to ‘Backstreet Symphony’ and ‘Laughing On Judgement Day’ what Bon Jovi’s ‘These Days’ was to ‘Slippery When Wet’ and ‘New Jersey’. Not the powerhouse rock ‘n’ roll of yore, but the most artistically expressive and expansive record of Thunder’s career and their finest effort for two decades. Is anyone else thinking national treasures?
Thunder Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Fri March 17 2017 - MANCHESTER O2 Apollo
Sat March 18 2017 - SHEFFIELD Sheffield City Hall
Sun March 19 2017 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Newcastle City Hall
Tue March 21 2017 - LEICESTER De Montfort Hall
Wed March 22 2017 - GLASGOW SEC Armadillo
Fri March 24 2017 - CARDIFF Motorpoint Arena Cardiff
Sat March 25 2017 - SOUTHAMPTON O2 Guildhall Southampton
Sun March 26 2017 - IPSWICH Ipswich Regent Theatre
Tue March 28 2017 - LONDON Eventim Apollo
Thu March 30 2017 - DUBLIN Vicar Street
Fri March 31 2017 - BELFAST Mandela Hall
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