Alter Bridge - Blackbird

I have looked forward to Alter Bridge’s second release ‘Blackbird’ with some relish and on first listen I was not disappointed. Whether the content was actually any good or not didn’t really matter on first listen, all that mattered was that I got to hear a first class four piece Rock band – such a rare commodity these days. Off the top of your head, think of ten such bands that are present and fresh… so you’re stuck on three then!

Anyway, what was once the norm in Rock music is now a luxury and this is why Alter Bridge sound so fantastic and are warmly cherished by their ever-expanding following.

I am now familiar with ‘Blackbird’ and very pleased with it, even though I don’t think it is quite as strong as ‘One Day Remains’. However, that is not the end of the world, as the latter is a modern Rock classic. The couple of weaker tracks to my ears, might be someone else’s paradise, so I won’t judge.

Michael Baskette’s production is solid and crisp and perfectly captures where Alter Bridge should be sonically. Myles Kennedy is a major player in the Rock Star stakes these days. His powerful voice, good looks and style are in the same mould as Chris Cornell. Mark Tremonti is a fantastic all-round Rock guitarist, with proven pedigree and a huge sound. Marshall and Phillips come with the same pedigree and fit hand-in-glove with Tremonti, as well as Kennedy – all the makings of a Classic Rock group then!

I have seen them perform live about 5 times, from clubs to the festival stage and they definitely deserve the credit they receive and more success will follow I hope.

The standout tracks on Blackbird are the opening ‘Ties That Bind’ with it’s ‘here comes the riff’ intro and then wallop and the Alter Bridge V8 fires on all cylinders. ‘Come To Life’ is a very complete Rock song. ‘Buried Alive’ is the standout track on the album – the opening is powerful and immediate and leads us to the main riff, which is as good as a riff will ever get - I put my house on it!
‘Before Tomorrow Comes’ successfully sticks to the ‘big chorus’ Creed formula, as does ‘Rise Today’, a great song and potential big hit. Although not as potentially big as the beautiful ‘power’ ballad ‘Watch Over You’ should be. ‘White Knuckles’ is furious and ‘Wayward One’ has that ‘big ending’ feel, but not quite on the same epically triumphant scale as the ‘One Day Remains’ closer, ‘The End’.

I conclude that Blackbird is essential listening for any Rock or even Metal fan. In fact anyone that likes excellent music and performance, should like this band, but Alter Bridge will undoubtedly be too heavy for some. At times they sound so polished and accomplished, that there are slight hints of Nickleback, but please don’t let this put you off, as Nickleback surely took their domineering inspiration from Creed – and let’s face it, this is all very successful Rock music that people want to hear. Anyway, Alter Bridge are way better and are easily one of the greatest Rock bands on the planet!

Like This? Try…

Creed
Audioslave (well, ‘Show Me How To Live’)
Sevendust (the recent stuff, vocals may differ)