The ever chameleon-like Irish guitarist Gary Moore is trying a Celtic approach with this album. He is forever searching for that formula that gives him success and happiness. Of course, he was accused of bandwagon jumping as that whole Celtic sound was big at the time.
This album feels a bit like a bits and pieces record. I’m not sure if that’s due to the different producers on the album or if that’s what Gary was looking for. Over The Hills (which opens up the album) is Gary at his best. A killer melody and hook, and he rips in when appropriate. Wild Frontier has a hint of Thin Lizzy about it and is a very commercial sounding track, plus the solo is short but soooo good.
Take A Little Time is Gary doing power pop and him making sure to get that Celtic influenced line in there to keep the theme going. The Loner is just WOW! The opening reminds me of his Colosseum days and the rest of the song reminds me of what was yet to come. Killer playing! I could have done without the cover of Friday On My Mind as it does nothing for me. Yeah, the solo is cool but… meh!
Strangers In The Darkness reminds of something else but I can’t put my finger on it. It’s an okay ballad that he sings very well and the guitar tone is killer. Thunder Rising again revisits that Lizzy vibe, and is a nice uptempo rocker with a cool melody. The album closes out with Johnny Boy, a traditional Irish arrangement that brings a tear to the eye.
It’s cool to go back and listen to this record after all this time, Gary is missed greatly.
8.5/10 from The Grooveman.
