Forever synonymous with the legendary Phil Lynott, Grand Slam didn’t release an album until 2019’s Hit the Ground, which incidentally, will get a reissue later this year. With founder member Laurence Archer reforming the band in 2016 alongside keyboardist Mark Stanway, there is certainly a market for the rich, layered songs that Archer can weave.
The current line up features Archer, singer Mike Dyer, drummer Benjy Reid and bassist Rocky Newton. Archer is clear about his writing style “The way I look at it is that from writing those songs with Phil in 1984 to now, my writing style and the way I write, haven’t really changed that much. I’m not a shredder, I prefer to write songs and build that way. So, there’s that timeless continuity in how I write, fusing with all the experiences we’ve had as people over the years. I put the basis of the song together, I have a rough melody line, I might write the chorus line, and I give that to Mike who goes away and comes back with his thing: it’s not my thing, it’s his thing and it just works! His vocal tone – his ability – fits everything that I write.”
Before anymore references to 1984, Archer is keen to make sure that we accept Grand Slam 2024 as very much a new band. “I want everybody to see this as a new band… and anybody that hasn’t heard Grand Slam since 1984, I want them to see this as a fresh invigoration of the project moving into the modern times”.
Grand Slam Photo Credit: Frank Noon
So, having got all of that out of the way, what does Wheel of Fortune bring to the table? Ten songs, delivered with a high level of craft and polish, perhaps unsurprisingly with those echoes of Lynott’s writing intertwined in it. But it’s testament to Archer’s song writing prowess and Dyer’s lyrical weaving that makes Wheel of Fortune such an enjoyable release.
You can’t help but singalong to There Goes My Heart, the first single and opening track on the album. It’s a delightfully composed song, nothing new in terms of style, but excellent in performance and hook that you’ll be singing for days. Archer’s guitar work throughout is relaxed, fluid, and very much his own laidback style. On Come Together (In Harlem) he’s able to add some sharp solo flourishes, whilst on Trail of Tears his contribution is subtle, allowing Dyer’s powerful vocals to take centre stage.
Whilst there is a hard rock edge to all the songs, it’s inevitable that there will be a ballad, and Feeling is Strong (Jo’s Song) duly appears mid-album. Probably one I could skip, it’s a typically sentimental track, with some emotional lyrics that are poignant (if you know who Jo is!).
For me, it’s when the band let loose that they are at their best. Spitfire is possibly the best example of this, with everyone in harmony whilst the penultimate song Afterlife also brings the band’s best to the fore. There’s a change in style with Pirate Song, which sees the band expand their repertoire to incorporate an Americana feel before they conclude with the stripped back title track which is perfectly placed to conclude an album that oozes quality.
Wheel of Fortune is released on 7th June via Silver Lining Music
Review by Hutch
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