Black Country Communion "Afterglow"

 

Well, I can't tell you why (The Eagles) I didn't get this immediately upon release in late October, especially after the brilliant "2" from the summer of '11.  Their "Live Over Europe" set was fantastic, as well.  I had yet to hear the rumors which were swirling about that this would be the supergroup's swan song.  Maybe deep down I was afraid of being disappointed.  As I trolled the first few cuts, those fears were realized. 

Let's get this straight, "Afterglow" is still superior to 95% of the "Rock" music out there.  That said, my ears didn't perk up until midway through the record at the title cut.  BKP picked up on it, too, texting me that it "started weak, almost rushed in studio."  Guess that's how it goes when you bang out twelve tracks in six days.  First, you have Joe Bonamassa, the hardest working man in American music, who barely takes a day off.  Second, Kevin Shirley has to be the most in-demand producer in rock music today (there is a quick video of him summing up the sessions as he's driving away, and I do mean that he is driving!  Somebody get the man a chauffeur!)  Then there is Jason Bonham, who has been promoting with his dad's old pals and doing his own thing in Led Zep Experience, and I believe he was touring with Mick Jones' Foreigner, too.  Simple math puts that at 60% of the unit which functions as BCC is busy as hell!  Looks like Glenn Hughes did more of the writing for this album, so of course he's pissed that there hasn't been time for any promotional support from anyone else but himself.  A YouTube search for anything worthy to link was futile. 

So thank goodness the album was back-heavy with quality tunes.  Here's one that Hughes brought to the table called "The Circle."  For you old-fart rockers like me, this a track you once fired up a fatty for and flicked your Bic at the end.  "Common Man" is vintage mid-70's Deep Purple or Ian Gillan's work shortly thereafter.  Bonamassa said this album went back to the 70's British rock era after "2" strayed into heavy metal territory, and he was right on the money. 

I'll still say that "2" is one of this century's greatest rock albums out there.  Let me cherry-pick a few songs from the debut release and "Afterglow," and I would give you BCC 4 that would rank right up there with it.