Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders: Red Light Fever
Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders: Red Light Fever
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By James Christie. |  |
Sunday, 16, May 2010 10:43
Shanabell/Columbia Records, out now.
What's it all about?
70s throwback hard rock stylings mark this album out as thoroughly retro. Red Light Fever is driven by John Bonham-esque drumming, with lashings of Queen and Thin Lizzy guitar licks.
Who's it by?
Taylor Hawkins is the floppy-haired, gangly-limbed drummer who has been a core part of the Foo Fighters' sound for the past decade. The self-mockingly titled Coattail Riders are joined on this sophomore effort by such luminaries as Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen, and, of course, Mr David Grohl himself.
As an example...
"With your heart right on your sleeve/Found the truth won't set you free/Maybe you'll always be the one/ On the wrong side of the gun." - James Gang
What the others say
"Comprised of chunky, solid classic rock riffs that will probably appeal to viewers of Top Gear; the record is a glam rock-tinged effort that, despite its best efforts, comes off half-cocked." - NME
"This is a love letter to Hawkins' musical upbringing and an unabashedly shiny rock 'n' roll album that wears its intentions and raspy heart on its sleeve." - Sentimentalist
So is it any good?
To quote Mr Hawkins and his delicate turn of phrase: "The record [sounds] like me having sex with my record collection." Given that the record collection in question consists of Cheap Trick, Led Zeppelin and the Police, this is not necessarily a bad thing; just don't expect genre-defying innovation. Red Light Fever is characterised by a glut of decent riffs and a panoply of impressive drumming, with the odd stand-out moment, such as the searing stratospheric guitars of It's Over and the Queen-esque eccentricity of Not Bad Luck.
There's no doubting that Taylor can sing either - you may have heard him on the Foo Fighters' 2007's double album In Your Honour, where he provided lead vocals for Cold Day in the Sun. However, it is when it comes to providing lead vocals for an entire album that his pipes let him down. Whilst Hawkins has a distinctive, raspy tone, there isn't enough variety to sustain a career as a front man. Don't worry about this project eclipsing his day job because it's not gonna happen. He's just living out every drummer's fantasy and normal service should be resumed shortly.
6/10
Chris Jefferies