ALBUM REVIEW: Sundowners – The Answer

Returning to the music world after a hiatus comes with many questions, the most important being whether fans or casual listeners will still care about the band’s output. This is what Northern Irish rockers THE ANSWER faced when they recently released their seventh album Sundowners.

Solas’ (2016) successor opens with a title track which weighs in at a hefty six and a half minutes long. It’s a ballsy move by any stretch. With anything of that stature, it has to be worth the test of endurance. With an atmospheric intro worthy of a spacescape, the title track comes with a universe of possibilities. Feedback on Paul Mahon’s guitar reverberates in and out with the subtle swell of a harmonica. It certainly starts off interesting. Though when James Heatley’s slower and restrained beat comes in, we can’t help but feel deflated. While Mahon’s riffs are rooted in bluesy tones, this track doesn’t pack the punch it needs to. Cormac Neeeson’s ethereal vocals come with a tinge of LENNY KRAVTIZ in terms of tone and gravel but there isn’t much which can justify this choice in opening track. When “dancing with the real sundowners”, we weren’t expecting to be doing the waltz instead of a passionate tango.

With the 43-minute runtime starting off in limp mode, Blood Brother’s bouncy riff attempts to pick the energy of the room up. “My time is fading fast and I’ve got nothing to show” speaks to the existential crises we all face at one time or another. Calling out to the blood brothers and blood sisters, Neeson’s verses come with a catchy cadence, yet the wheels fall off when it comes to the style over substance chorus. It’s a sentiment which carries into the groove-filled California Rust too. Micky Waters’ bassline is a welcome sound against the backdrop of an organ and choral section. It’s a bass solo towards the latter half of the song that is the defining moment but there is very little else to comment on. Want You To Love Me certainly does more to grab the attention with a sexy attitude in the guitar work yet it’s let down by Neeson’s flat higher vocals in the chorus. Neeson has a wonderful tone to his voice and that is evident across the board but there are some tracks on this album which don’t suit it, Want You To Love Me being one of them.

“All the money in the land can’t buy time” states Oh Cherry. We’re left wondering what the overall message of the song is. Is it to embrace Cherry who is sweeter than something that hasn’t been alluded to? Is it to live life to the fullest because we’re not here long? It is this confusion and the similarities in sound to the previous tracks which makes the recent single more of a fizzle than a pop. Leading into No Salvation, we catch ourselves looking at the track listing. Counting into the ballad of the album, it’s clear this is the singalong. The drums are a touch harsh until the fuller instrumental comes together but it’s overall a pleasant song. Cold Heart is another catchy number but again passes by with little consequence. “Throw my cold heart away” speaks to the notion of being in a relationship which wants more of us than we are emotionally able to give. The verses have minimalist instrumental but very little driving force. Perhaps it’s us who want more than THE ANSWER are able to give.

What is a rock album if there isn’t talk of bringing people together to unite against the powers that be? All Together carries that very sentiment. Neeson’s vocals sit in his lower register but the lyrics let this song down once more. The repetition of wanting people to come together grates after a couple of iterations. Then something catches our attention. Yes, bring people together for a sing song, but then to talk about kissing and hugging? Are we coming together to hang out or have some form of orgy? Answers on the invitation please.

The final trio admittedly add very little to the 11-track catalogue. Livin’ On The Line’s beat is much faster than previous songs and it’s clear this is the call and response song which would do very well within the live arena. The slower organ and choral section in the latter half of the song is pleasant to listen to but again passes us by. Get Back On It again has the sexy vibe about it but there isn’t much about this totty that makes us want to approach for a dance, while closer Always Alright slows the momentum completely with an acoustic number. Closing the album with the same mood it’s opened with can make the catalogue a nice package. However in this regard, it becomes a flat ending for an album which never really takes off.

Sundowners is a disappointing listen from a returning band. There are no stand out moments in this blues-filled album. No, not all rock music is aggressive and in your face but there needs to be at least something which hooks someone’s attention. While Sundowners tries to do this, it ultimately fails and becomes something to put on in the background as a secondary activity. In a scene which is saturated with hard rock heavy hitters, THE ANSWER slip under the radar unnoticed.

Rating: 4/10

Sundowners is out now via Golden Robot Records.

Like THE ANSWER on Facebook.