I am, and I admit this in shame, a relatively recent convert to the hard rocking force that is The Almighty. That I could be unaware for so long of the band that rose from my native Glasgow led by front man Ricky Warwick is enough to have my wrists slapped. Matters worsen as I subsequently found out that they enjoyed a career that began in 1989 and saw seven studio albums released before the band in their own words “imploded” in 2001. My introduction to the band came when I was gifted a copy of the 2001 compilation
Wild And Wonderful which instantly impressed me with the powerful and gruff delivery of some very catchy rock songs. Fast forwarding to 2007 I find myself holding the “ANTH’F***’ING’OLOGY” which purports to be yet another definitive collection. The cynical rock journo inside of me shuffles uneasily at what appears to be a cheeky repacking for a quick buck, so I lock myself in a darkened room to investigate the matter further …
When the lights come up and I switch the CD player off such thoughts are banished from my mind and I am pleased to report that my suspicion was entirely without foundation. The two releases share a number of the more immediate and obvious tracks. Both have the instant power rockers of
Destroyed,
Power and
Wild and Wonderful. The classic
Free’n’Easy is also included on both, much to the delight of anyone who’s ever attended a motorcycle club rally and danced drunkenly round a muddy marquee along to a cover band belting it out. Whereas
Wild and Wonderful contains the big hits plus some interesting covers and live tracks, the anthology lists all 13 singles, some extra tracks plus a DVD containing the complete set of promo videos. If you buy one of these records and like it, then you may very well find it difficult to live without the other in your quest for Almighty completeness.
So why am I convinced by this band? Why should you go and buy the anthology? There’s no rocket science involved: if you enjoy rock and roll that sounds best turned up loud then you’ll love this record. The Almighty specialise in good guitar riffs and big shouty power choruses. Even songs that are milder by comparison such as
Little Lost Sometimes are still dragged along by Warwick’s snarling vocal that takes into territory reminiscent of Guns’n’Roses balladry. There are no feisty little redheaded upstarts here though; the powerful delivery correctly indicates the commanding presence Warwick brings to the band. There’s a delightfully dirty mean streak running through everything that tends to mean the band take what they do very seriously. Above all the tunes are of a quality that while they may not be the most outright anthemic rock band ever to grace a stage, they have a solid catalogue of material that is immensely enjoyable. While some of the material is easy dated by it’s production, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Get hold of this album and you’ll hopefully appreciate a fine Scottish rock act at work. 2006 saw a brace of charity shows by the reformed members and they’re not ruling out the possibility of some new material and some further touring. From listening to this band you get the distinct impression that they’ll come through your speakers and beat you if you don’t. If early ’90s rock has ever held an appeal to you, check out what was brewing on your doorstep.
ANTH’F***ING’OLOGY: The Gospel According To … is released 5/2/07 on Sanctuary
www.thealmighty.co.uk
