Hurricane town --- Stampede --- 1983 (Polydor)
Trollheart leans back in his rocking chair (which really rocks!) and remembers a time before t'internet and itunes, when you bought albums based on radio airplay, recommendations from friends, or a review in
Kerrang! That magazine was the touchstone for us metallers back then: if you wanted to know if such-and-such an album was any good, you looked for it to be covered in the pages of the fabled tome and read the opinion of Mick Wall, Malcolm Dome or any of the other writers. Their reviews were usually spot-on, and based on their assessment, you either sought out that album at your local record shop, or you passed on it.
“Hurricane town” was one of those
Kerrang! recommended to me. I had no idea who Stampede were, but I liked the things the reviewer was saying about them, so off I went into town, clutching my hard-earned five pounds ninety-nine pence and brought the album home with me. I was delighted to find that, after just one spin, I heartily agreed with Mr. Dome, or whoever had reviewed it.
From the opening guitar chords of “I've been told”, I knew this was going to be a good album. The song was catchy, punchy and had all the right elements. Vocalist Rueben Archer was something of a find, and perfectly complemented by guitarist Lawrence Archer (yes, they
are related: Lawrence is Rueben's stepson). It's a gutsy, bouncy rocker and it sets the tone for the rest of the album. No shredding here, but then none is needed. It's not that sort of album.
A great guitar solo nonetheless fades out the track, bringing in “Love letters”, and the quality is maintained. Even though the opener is a stronger song in my opinion, this is a good slice of AOR hard rock, chugging guitar and solid drums. The vocals are clear and pure, never subsumed in the mix, and the backing vocals just as good. There's no keyboard player credited, but I'm sure I can clearly hear keys on this track at least, unless someone is using a synth guitar...
“Casino junkie” is the first point where I feel the quality drops slightly. It's deep, growly and pondering, with a sort of feedback guitar intro, then a Thin Lizzy-ish melody that promptly breaks down into a sort of blues break, then back to the Lizzyesque sound, and again back to blues. It kind of feels like it doesn't know what it wants to be, straddling the two styles. It's not as immediately accessible as the prior two tracks, I feel, but it's a temporary aberration, as “The other side” re-establishes the equilibrium and we're back on track with another great singalong melody and a powerful performance from all concerned.
To be honest, that's about it as far as bad tracks go. “Casino junkie” is the only bump in a road that otherwise leads to a great album and a pretty flawless execution. You would think these guys had been at this for years, instead of it being their debut album. Well, they had an EP released the previous year, but this is their first full release.
The next track would be the standout, if it wasn't for one other. “Turning in circles” has a great hook, great guitar work and the sort of melody bands who have been going for much longer than Stampede would probably kill for. This is an album of great songs generally, and they just keep coming. A real achievement, considering their youth and inexperience.The title track is also the longest on the album, almost seven minutes, showing that Stampede can also write epics.
Oh, there are
definitely keyboards of some sort in there! If I had the time, I'd take the boat across the river to my vinyl vault and look for the actual record, but I think Cerberus has to be walked, so he'd be a bit snappy! Anyway, “Hurricane town” comes in on a spacy, atmospheric intro with sounds of wind and classy guitar, then develops into a great rocker telling the story of people who have to abandon their homes when a hurricane hits. Some of Lawrence Archer's best guitar work is evident here; halfway through the song slows down and against that wind sound he pulls off a fantastic solo, reminiscent of the great Gary Moore in his heyday. There's a note of hope at the end, as Rueben sings
”Maybe one day survivors would return/ Rebuild this town called Hurricane/ Now the lesson's learned.”
The last two tracks are
both contenders for best track! “The runner” is perhaps the fastest, rockiest of the tracks on this album, with yet another great melody, spellbinding drumming and finger-burning fretboard work, but I honestly think the closer edges it. “Mexico” is a power-rocker to take us to the end of what has been a blindingly brilliant album. Taking as its theme the fight for Mexican independence, it's carried on a driving beat that puts you in mind of horses galloping into battle, its only low point being that the production seems to fall down here, especially on the chorus, where the vocals come right up and then fall away, as if the singer is moving away from the mike. Pity. But it's a very powerful closer, and definitely gets my vote as standout track on the album.
Although they had had previous experience in other bands, like Lautrec, Lionheart and Wild Horses, this was Stampede's first effort as a band, and I think it's an amazing effort. Unfortunately it was not any sort of commercial success, and as a result Stampede broke up shortly afterwards due to medical problems suffered by Rueben. They recently reformed though and have a new album out, which I have yet to hear. I've been waiting a long time to hear more Stampede, so expect a review of it at some point.
For now, I would strongly urge you to familiarise yourself with “Hurricane town”, as I have this sneaking feeling that we have not in any way heard the last of Stampede!
TRACKLISTING
1. I've been told
2. Love letters
3. Casino junkie
4. The other side
5. Turning in circles
6. Hurricane town
7. Girl
8. The runner
9. Mexico