Review: Burning Rope – Burning Rope

Self-release (October 10^th, 2025)

Reviewer – Paul Dubbelman

Burning Rope have just released their self-titled debut album. Formed by Paul Long after the passing of son Matt Long last year, and driven by his desire to keep making music, recruiting Catfish bassist Adam Pyke, drummer Mitch Weaver, and Alex Voysey on guitar, Burning Rope have already performed sold-out shows and numerous festivals this year and are currently on tour. 

‘Burning Rope‘ the Album is most definitely a grower, first listen it’s ok, but with repeated spins you start to become familiar with the nuances and depth of each track, no more so than when Chloe Josephine provides additional vocals.

The majority of the songs were written by Paul Long during a time when, it has to be said, life was anything but easy. His own health scares along with the sad far-too-early passing of Matt, his prodigiously talented son, clearly influenced the writing but this is not in any way a sad, maudlin album. Very much upbeat and with a positive turn to many of the songs that give the songs a life-affirming tone.

With musicians of this calibre, you would have every right to expect the music to be of the highest quality and in that respect, ‘Burning Rope‘ does not disappoint. Solid underpinning of the songs by Mitch and Adam, with some beautifully placed and executed bass runs from Adam give room for exquisite riffs and solos courtesy of Alex, and Paul’s keys and Hammond layering emotion under his vocals. Having Chloe Josephine provide backing vocals on five of the tracks adds an extra richness and depth to them.

Overall, a solid debut from time-served musicians which delivers the quality and listening pleasure you would expect. Live takes recorded by Dan Lucas at The Joplin House in Kent, this is an album that any music lover should have in their collection. The band are currently writing new material together so hopefully a new album will appear in 2026.

Track-by-Track

‘Now More Than Ever‘ – A full on rocker to kick things off, underpinned by Paul’s riff and Alex’s dextrous solos, telling a tale of missing someone when you’re on the road. Chloe’s backing vocals adding a richness and colour to an exciting track.

‘Life In Reverse‘ – A reminder that you have to live in the now and not in the past. Some funky keys from Paul, and Adam lays down a fluid and soul-filled bass solo in the bridge.

‘Something’s Got To Change, Part 1‘ a story about a couple in crisis, told from her point of view. More exquisite guitar work from Alex, and Chloe’s backing vocal sends shiver down the spine.

‘Have Mercy On The Criminal‘ – First cover on the album and what better than the Elton John/Bernie Taupin composition, ‘Have Mercy On The Criminal‘, a deep cut  from the album ‘Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only The Piano Player’.  An impassioned vocal from Paul adds punch to the lyrics, overlayed with beautifully evocative guitar work, urgent keys, and ethereal backing vocals brings a new and powerful treatment to this track.

‘Rise Up‘ – Mitch lays down the beat on this before Adam kicks in with a cutting bass line before being joined by Alex’s guitar and Paul’s choppy keys. Again, Chloe’s vocal adds an extra element to this song about the cost-of-living crisis that advocates a positive, upbeat attitude.

‘Anyway‘ – This track, about a couple meeting for marriage counselling, has a slow-burnin’ groove with throbbing bass and drums, overlaid with slow, evocative guitar solo and orchestral keys, almost proggy in its feel. This is a track that digs deeper into the soul with repeated listens.

‘Tainted Love‘ – Second cover on the album, composed by Ed Cobb in 1964 and made famous by Soft Cell in the 1980s. The Burning Rope version features Adam delivering a forceful vocal, the song morphing into ‘Killing in the Name’ before returning to the main theme.

‘Before the Landslide‘ – Dedicated to Matt Long, the instrumentation on this track expresses so fluently the pain of losing loved one too early.

‘After The Landslide‘ – The only Instrumental on the album, reflecting on the time after the landslide, the pain expressed beautifully by Alex’s guitar and Paul’s keys, reflecting in some ways Floyd’s “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” with that sustained opening note, before breaking down into

‘Something’s Got To Change, Part 2‘ – The same story as in part 1, but from the other party’s point of view. A powerful rocker to close out this fine album.

Tracklist:

1. Now More Than Ever (3.55) (Paul Long)
2. Life In Reverse (4.40) (Paul Long)
3. Something’s Got To Change, Part 1(4.54) (Paul Long, Matt Sonnet)
4. Have Mercy On The Criminal (6:53) (Elton John, Bernie Taupin)
5. Rise Up (4:17) (Paul Long)
6. Anyway (5:46) (Paul Long)
7. Tainted Love (5:08) (Eric Cobb, Tim Commerford, Zack de la Rocha, Tom Morello,
8. Brad Wilk)
9. Before The Landslide (4:11) (Paul Long)
10. After The Landslide (3:32) (Paul Long, Alex Voysey)
11. Something’s Got To Change, Part 2 (5:39) (Paul Long, Alex Voysey, Adam Pyke, Mitch Weaving)

Line-up:

Paul Long – Keys and Vocals, Guitar on “Now More Than Ever”

Alex Voysey – Guitar and Vocals

Adam Pyke – Bass and Vocals

Mitch Weaving – Drums

Web Links:

Official Website

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