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Love to Hate to Love lp
No Connection |
 E-TYPE Jaguars, lava lamps, Only Fools and Horses: some things never go out of style. And in the hands of Reading's No Connection, some classic rock stylings sound as fresh as a baby lamb that has swallowed an entire box of Smints.
'Love to Hate to Love' is the trio's third album and their tight, ferocious sound is a testament to over seven years of gigging and recording. In fact, No Connection have not long enjoyed a 20-date US tour and it's easy to see why they're going down so well stateside. Tracks like "Deal with It", "Sweet Sugar OD", "Cheap Talkin'" and the anthemic "Strive" distil all the best bits of Van Halen, Led Zep and RATM into taut, incendiary pop bombs for the 21st century. The prowling "Going Down" sounds like a funked up take on U2's "I Will Follow", while the frazzled punk of "Living American" conjures up Iggy Pop on too much Lucozade.
But there are quieter moments too. The jazz guitar and blues vocal of "Too Good" is instantly addictive. Meanwhile, the swooning summery groove of "I Don't Listen" lies somewhere between the Doobie Brothers' "Long Train Running" and the Isley Brothers' "Summer Breeze." There's even something of an indie moment with the sweet mid-tempo delicacy of "Fading Away". A song that's obviously been designed by a NASA supercomputer to categorically define the term "radio friendly".
Killer riffs, flawless songwriting, consummate musicianship and sandblast vocals from guitarist Graham Young: what more could you ask for? Well, a lot more recognition, for starters. Thankfully, the closing "Nothing to Lose" points the way towards the kind of music that could have a much wider appeal on this side of the Atlantic. It's a looser, more organic sound that suggests a formidable, adrenalised live experience. A few more like this and No Connection could be making some very strong links with the wider world.
by overplay |
 Visit No Connection page |
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