Status Quo: In Search of the Fourth Chord
Monday, 17 Sep 2007 10:46
Status Quo bid to satisfy diehard fans and newcomers with In Search of the Fourth Chord
Fourth Chord Records, out September 17th.
In a nutshell…
Instant, powerful, loud and rocking
What's it all about?
In Search of the Fourth Chord is Quo's - count them - 33rd album. After that many records, you'd be forgiven for thinking that their enthusiasm might wane, but this album shows that this is far from being the case.
With their characteristic energy and vitality on display, Quo have delivered what is undoubtedly one of their strongest offerings in years.
The band sound enthused and fresh on every single track, especially on the first song Beginning of the End, which kicks off with a chunky guitar riff that sounds like a statement of intent.
As you'd expect from Quo, the riffs and hooks are so catchy that they stay in your head for days, while the slower numbers also have a lot to offer.
Contrary to popular myth, the band have never been afraid to dabble in different styles. This album is no exception as several ballads and a slow blues sit comfortably alongside a number of formidable rockers.
Who's it by
If you've not heard of Status Quo by now, chances are you've been living in a cave for the past 40-odd years.
Despite clocking up more hit singles than any other band in history, it's become almost fashionable to knock them.
However, Quo have always had the last laugh. While most acts have faded or split up after about ten minutes, Quo have managed to outlive every fad and trend and carry on packing out arenas year after year.
And as the only group to have hit singles across five decades, they've secured their place as both a national institution and a timeless rock band.
As an example…
"I'm on a mission to spread the word of the meaning of the blues" - Bad News
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
Quo have never been the darlings of the critics or the trendies, but they've never seemed to particularly care. They're a band for the masses and they are the only people they need to please.
What the others say
"Their inventiveness with a narrow field, not to mention their survivors instinct, is worthy of salute." - Classic Rock
So is it any good?
Quo are up against it in a way as classics such as Caroline and Whatever You Want all have a special place in the public consciousness, meaning that new material can easily be overlooked.
They're also up against the tired (and untrue) assertion that all their songs sound the same and that they only know three chords. Of course, that's a myth - how can anyone say that Pictures of Matchstick Men sounds identical to In the Army Now or Rockin' All Over the World?
But at the same time, a large proportion of their fanbase are rock fans who don't necessarily like Quo's attempts to break away from their established style.
That makes the ironically-titled In Search of the Fourth Chord an interesting listen for fans, as Quo try to straddle the line between satisfying the rock crowd and showcasing their diversity.
Francis Rossi's Electric Arena is a slow Gary Moore-esque blues, while Rick Parfitt's Alright is typically anthemic heads-down boogie.
But the big surprise of the album comes in the form of Bad News, which sees bassist John "Rhino" Edwards handle the vocal duties on an original Quo song for the first time.
He might have been in the band for 21 years, but he's still regarded as the "new boy" by some fans, making this song a total revelation - it's got the heaviness, the swagger and the vibe of a classic 70s Quo track.
In Search of the Fourth Chord could be their best album since the 70s and 80s in fact - it sounds like the best of classic Quo brought bang up to date.
8/10
James Glynn
Your comments
"Admittedly, I am one of the many 'casual' fans who thought Quo were resting on their 70s material but their past few releases and this new album makes it ring clear that they have enough going for them today to put any new band to shame with the power and sheer quality of their material.
"I think this album will please the fans of old but will also wake up anyone who is willing to detract them based on their public image alone. It's a cool album with some really cracking good songs. Fabulous production too. What other bands can do this??" – Paul Slowey
"What a fantastic album! This brings Quo into the 21st century with a bang!" - Howlin' Wolf Estrados
"An hour's mindnumbing commute was transformed into an in-car rock and roll feast thanks to the Quo's new offering. Aged only 22 there may be a vast bulk of songs I have yet to hear, despite owning a wealth of albums, but the latest is a diverse and intriguing collection of tunes. From the moment Beginning of the End kicks in I'm thinking ahead to the front of the NEC, head down and rocking out in December! Track nine - My Little Heartbreaker - is an absolute gem and has the rhythm and beat which bands of the modern era just cannot create, slow, deliberate, clear sounds which envoke happy thoughts and emotions. I love it." - Bobby Bridge
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