Mike Walsh & Five to Life – ‘Face The Music’

(Rock Company)

My interest in this album was piqued when I discovered that this Mike Walsh is the same vocalist/guitarist who was part of Message and Departure, both of whom delivered some cracking AOR albums and songs. I’m sure many underground Melodic Rock fans will be just as excited as me to learn of Walsh’s return but I must emphasise this is not a AOR album so, adjust your expectations to avoid any disappoint the style of the album may trigger.

‘Face The Music’ is a very earthy, seventies classic rock inspired album with a lot of Americana in the overall makeup of the songs. Some gritty vocals and hammond organs intensifying that stripped back seventies vibe. It’s great hearing Walsh’s vocals on some new music and he is in fine memorable form again throughout this album. His performance is different as the style and flow of these songs demand a different delivery; he’s going for more of a Bruce Springsteen touch than a Steve Perry approach of his AOR days.

I’d love to say it’s fantastic album because I’m a huge fan of Walsh, but I think exaggerating my opinion of the album would be more damaging for when people try the album for themselves and not appreciating ‘Face The Music’ for what it is. It is a good album and there’s a lot of warmth and love around these songs and that really comes across and draws you in. It’s an album I think music lovers will appreciate as it’s like a love letter to a simpler music era and the album really exudes a warm ambience.

The seventies are definitely a huge influence on the style of these songs, but not just classic rock also singer songwriter songs of that era. You know that one man and his guitar and view of the American countryside stretching out as far as the eye can see vibe. ‘Face The Music’ comes across as a mix of Americana and Classic Rock, Think Springsteen dancing with Foghat.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to hear Walsh doing another Departure album, but that doesn’t diminish my enjoyment of ‘Face The Music’. It’s a nice little album that’s worth anyone’s time listening to, it’s got a great warmth to it and nostalgic feel that I’m sure will be appreciated by anyone not just rock fans.

7/10

Essential Track - 'Right & Wrong'

Review by Woody