Review: Vambo – II

Pride & Joy Music (October 20^th 2023)

Reviewer: Grant Foster

What I knew about this band you could write on the back of the world’s smallest stamp.

They hail from London and are always having to answer that no, they aren’t named after the Sensational Alex Harvey band tune. Vocalist/guitarist Jack Stiles’ father Ray was the bassist in 70’s band Mud and produced this second album. Cunningly titled by the way.

And it’s the 70’s that feature as a theme, but in a positive way.

Firstly, I’ve come to the conclusion you can’t pigeon hole this band, apart from they are a rock band in the truest sense of the word.

I’ve had to really listen to this album, I mean REALLY listen. It’s deep, not in a spiritual, hippy way, but it has layers. Each listen opens another layer.

The words I’m going to list here I hope will give you some idea. Groove, gospel, soulful, crated, moody, song writing, hooks, subtlety, spacious, driving.

And there’s probably a whole lot more that you, dear reader/listener could and will come up with.

Dashes of the Sweet, early Queen, Zeppelin, are evident. This is a band that creates atmospheric sonic quality. Yes, quality. Each song has been crafted to hone its own feel.

Opener ‘Minute of Madness‘ sets the scene. An Arabic feel. ‘Love, Sun and Fire‘ is all groove and spaced.

‘Sweet Christine‘ is a jewel in a very well stocked crown. The vocals almost shimmer as they harmonise and the track moves like velvet over your ears. ‘Hey Willy‘. I should laugh at the title, but it’s full on rock, yet has those subtle Vambo touches that are becoming more and more evident.

‘Take My Hand‘ has textures of India. But not like you hear over a ruby in your local Indian restaurant. ‘Shake It Women‘ is danceable but in a rock way and is very Darkness, but in a Vambo-istic way.

‘Worlds Collide (Struggle for Power)‘ is a big shuffle. ‘This Is Your Life‘ is riff driven, vocal rapped, groovetastic.

‘Oh‘, it’s a ballad, but not. It a film score wrapped up in 4 minutes 45. Serene, gliding like a swan. ‘Love Candy‘ is as about as base they get. Most welcome!

‘Shadows‘ closes the album with a monster mash up of guitar and bass grooving, yet always restrained and intriguing.

And this what Vambo do. They paint pictures on a musical landscape. The question is – Are we brave enough to take it all in?

Believe me, it’s worth the effort.

Track list:

1. Minute Of Madness

2. Love, Sin and Fire

3. Sweet Christine

4. Hey Willy

5. Take My Hand

6. Shake It Woman

7. Worlds Collide (Struggle for Power)

8. Holy Lights

9. This Is Your Life

10. Oh

11. Love Candy

12. Shadows