It’s not very often I find time to sit down and put together a written album review these days, especially with the vast amount of releases I plough my way through for the radio show on a weekly basis. However, sometimes you just feel the need to express in words admiration for music, especially if that music is the latest release from one of your favourite bands of all time. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m no wordsmith when it comes to the postmortem of an album, so if it’s in-depth critic of the individual musical elements you’re after then unfortunately it won’t be found here. This unashamedly is a review from a fan’s perspective.
For those of you that know me, (and possibly those of you that don’t), it’s no great secret that British AOR rock legends ‘the mighty’ FM are a band I hold in the highest regard. Now on studio album number ‘Thirteen’, just as the album title suggests, the veterans once again unleash a masterclass of melodic rock. Released via Frontiers Records on the 18th March, the album is the follow up to 2020’s highly regarded release ‘Synchronized’. With only their own high standards to match, like a finely tuned machine they never fail to deliver.
What’s interesting is that the current incarnation of the band’s line-up is now their longest serving, having come a long way since the decision to reform in 2007, after a 15 year hiatus. Founding members vocalist Steve Overland, drummer Pete Jupp and bassist Merv Goldsworthy are completed by super talented guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick and keyboard maestro Jem Davis. Where it was once thought Steve’s brother and former guitarist Chris Overland, and original keys man Didge Digital, would be hard acts to follow, its now harder to imagine the line-up in any other way than how it is now. Credit where credit is due though, the band’s blueprint may have been born out of the original 80s line-up, but their sound has rarely deviated from the gold standard melodic rock that fans of the band have come to expect over almost four decades.
In 2020 music became my source of comfort in unprecedented and uncertain times, with FM’s previous release ‘Synchronized’ being the years go to escapism. A feel good album with many comparisons to their 1986 debut ‘Indiscreet’, returning to their roots and executed with typical FM panache. I for one couldn’t wait to see tracks from it included in the band’s live set, as they had become instant favourites. This album however, was released in a year that would see the world shut down, bringing the live music industry to the brink of collapse. Fears within the entertainment sector suddenly became very real. Would we ever get to enjoy the music in the same way? What about tours? Would the venues still be there? Would people still want to go? Despite all this, the storm for many was weathered, and by 2021 when tours began to pick up again, there was a greater sense of connection to the music than before, a need for normality and appreciation for what was taken for granted prior to the lockdowns.
Fast forward to 2022 and even though the world has taken a somewhat dramatic turn for the worse, with the ongoing impact of the global pandemic, political unrest, and the brink of world war, many musicians have expressed their thoughts and feelings through songwriting. Taking listeners on an emotional rollercoaster, as times have been tough for everyone. When rumours began to circulate of a new FM album in the pipeline, the question remained, would album ‘Thirteen’ be a reflection of the times, like so many artists had already drawn inspiration from? Or would it be a nostalgic journey to melodic rock’s favoured subject matter of love?! As a fan, (and a big softy at heart) I was hoping for the latter.
The first single did not disappoint, ‘Waiting On Love’ by title alone tells you all you need to know about its lyrical content. If there’s one thing this band excel in, it's writing a good old melodic ballad, Steve’s voice is made for these kind of songs, and whilst I stand by the fact the man could sing the phone book and I’d still listen, thankfully they know how to write a super catchy love song. This track in particular is one of the most typically FM sounding tracks on the album. Echo’s of that much loved 80s blueprint.
By the release of the second single ‘Turn This Car Around’, it was becoming evident that the feel good factor was once again the vibe for this FM album. Summer’s just around the corner and this song will put you in the mood. One listen and it will be stuck in your head, a keyboard intro into a ‘Yeeeeahhhh yeeeahhhh’ from Mr Overland is all it takes for the beaming smile to appear on my face. A brilliantly composed track with the heartfelt lyrics of winning back lost love. Sure it’s the stuff of fantasy, but we can all dream about the one that got away.
One of the perks of being a DJ is that we very often get opportunity to listen to albums prior to the release, vet them for review or airplay, but if you pre-ordered the signed copy of the album exclusively from the band, you also would have been given the chance to listen before general release. Mine arrived whilst I was at work, and I had to endure at least two days before I could give the album a proper blasting on the speakers, avoiding any spoilers on the internet like it was the plot of a Netflix series. FM aren’t a band who I will skip through tracks on just to get a taster, listening through from start to finish is a must. Having set the bar so high with their previous release ‘Synchronized’, the expectation was so high, and from the very first listen through it certainly wasn’t a let down.
The opening track ‘Shaking The Tree’ brings that rock swagger to the very topical themes of governmental corruption and brainwashing by the media, its a plea to “stand your ground” and “make your voices heard”, a revolution against the powers that be. A strong message by so many bands of late, after the events of the past two years or more there’s no way it would have gone unmentioned. Even though it’s a jolt of reality and step away from the theme of love and heartbreak, this isn’t a downbeat track, it is empowering, expressive, and a damn good sing along. Pair that with the final track on the album, ‘Be True To Yourself’ which contains a message of personal belief, fighting for yourself and having a little faith. A positive message many of us could do with hearing, I don’t know about you but FM can be my motivational speakers any day. Like all well written stories though, a beginning, middle and an end are important, this track provides a fitting conclusion.
So what about the rest? It most certainly isn’t just filler, in fact track for track this has to be one of their best albums in recent years, on par with ‘Synchronized’ and dare I say it, even close to that top tier of FM’s greatest, ‘indiscreet’ and ‘Tough It Out’. The album’s third single ‘Long Road Home’ sees a more mellow approach to the first two singles, a proper ballad, slower paced with a guitar solo worthy of any of the greats, think Slash’s importance to ‘November Rain’, every rock band worth their salt has a guitarist who can pull off the ballad solo. FM have the extremely talented Jim Kirkpatrick, one of the finest guitarists around. He is the rock to FM’s roll, and throughout this album provides that complementary guitar wizardry, ‘Every Man Needs A Woman’ is another fine example, but from a rockier sound.
This album is awash with with great tracks, easy listening, and not one skippable. The current favourite track is the feel good 80s infused ‘Be Lucky’, I was feeling the summer vibes walking the dog listening to the album the other day, and that track was the one that stood out. Merv’s bass is the key to the tempo, and it wouldn’t be out of place on a driving anthems playlist.
There isn’t a weak track on this album, its a perfect blend of ballads, rock classics and instant catchy crowd pleasers. Sure FM have not reinvented the wheel here, they have released an album to the highest standards of melodic rock that they are the best at. What makes FM stand out above the rest in their genre? Well aside from being five very talented musicians in their own right, Steve Overland is FM’s vocal trademark, with his unmatched ability and ageless harmonic tones, many wonder how it is even possible for a singer’s voice to be still as pitch perfect today as it was in the 1980s. I’m sure Steve would modestly brush aside the suggestion that he is the greatest in his trade, but that’s certainly where I would place him. Could Steve front any other band and sound as great? Absolutely he could. Would it be the ‘mighty’ FM though? No it wouldn’t. It’s fair to say FM are the sum of their parts, each member bringing their own elements to what makes the band’s sound so instantly recognisable and much admired. The chemistry has been perfected over many years, as the current line-up release their eighth album together, Pete and Merv still provide the backbone and baseline, Jem the all important 80s styled synth, Jim the rhythm, and Steve, well he’s not called ‘The Voice’ for nothing.
In summary, ‘Thirteen’ is a brilliant album. FM are once again on top form, if you love melodic rock, then this is sure to be a favourite. Just in time for summer with the feel good vibes, and much needed in the current times we live in. This album would make a great introduction to any new fans, it has all the elements of what make up a classic FM album, and I’m sure tracks from it will become mainstays of the FM live set too.
On one final note I would just like to express my gratitude to the band for the mention in the album’s thank yous. As a little radio show plugger its not very often I get acknowledged, but it absolutely means the world to be listed amongst some of the big names, especially on such a fabulous album. As a mega fan, it made my day, week, month, year! There is one person I feel I should mention as being indirectly to ‘blame’ for my love of FM over the years. It’s a long story from the days of presenting on local radio, and was by pure accident that I came across FM’s music. It involves a request by a confused driving instructor, a dodgy email service and music from my former radio colleagues 80s show playlist…. If you’ve got some spare time I’ll explain one day, but to my former colleague, good friend, and musical kindred spirit, Mike … its all your fault I love the MIGHTY FM! ;-)
Here’s to the 14th album and many beyond!
10/10 of course!
Gemma :-)
FM:
Steve Overland - Vocals, Guitars
Merv Goldsworthy - Bass
Pete Jupp - Drums
Jem Davis - Keyboards
Jim Kirkpatrick - Guitars
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