Grand Slam is the band formed by Phil Lynott back around 1984 after Thin Lizzy split. They didn’t last too long and were unable to land a record deal.
Various old studio recordings and live stuff has appeared at times in various guises then a few years ago original guitarist Laurence Archer reformed Grand Slam with a new line-up and released an album titled Hit the Ground Running comprising of some old Grand Slam songs and some new stuff.
They’ve now followed up Hit the Ground Running with a new album called Wheel of Fortune. The line-up being Archer joined by Rocky Newton (bass), Benjy Reid (drums) and Mike Dyer (vocals).
What we have with Wheel of Fortune is generally an album of muscular rockers with a couple of exceptions. Archer is a fine guitarist indeed as always – you have to be rather good to land a spot in UFO and he certainly hit the spot on High Stakes and Dangerous Men which in my view is a much underrated UFO album.
As indeed he does now here on Wheel of Fortune with the punchy riffs and blazing lead breaks. The Thin Lizzy influences are something of a running and at times Dyer’s vocal delivery has more than a touch of Phil Lynott about it.
There Goes My Heart screams Thin Lizzy. Listen to the opening riff and you#d swear it’s something from back in the day which would have sit nicely on Bad Reputation. An enjoyable song all the same with an up tempo feel-good pace and a big chorus.
Starcrossed Lovers also Lizzy-esque as is the catchy Come Together in Harlem. Not surprising as the booklet shows original lyrics by Phil Lynott and additionals by Dyer.
Trail of Tears moves away from the Lizzy influenced stuff and shows this version of Grand Slam can stand up for themselves. A fine brooding number pulsing along yet slightly melancholy given the subject matter. You can guess what that is from the title.
Next up is Feeling is Strong. This being one of the couple of exceptions referred to above. An all too sugary, limp and by the numbers ballad so bad it’s almost unlistenable bar Archers nifty solo. The type of sone the skip button was invented for. Sorry chaps.
Then they come in and hat hard with the huge Spitfire. Bristling with power and speed like the plane itself. Crunching riff, Archer all over it particularly the solo at the business end. Dyer firing out a big vocal and Newton and Reid locking in tight. A proper standout of a song. Check it out:
I Wanna Know is OK though slightly pedestrian. Pirate Song something of a grower. Takes a bit of getting used to and covering various style changes not least the latter section. Afterlife an enjoyable melodic hardish rocker with a big hook.
Then the second exception – the title track. This one’s a miss. A generic half acoustic, half (barely) electric limp along with lyrics shoehorning in as many cheesy game show references as time allows. Nowhere near as clever as it thinks it is. Not a song for repeat listening other than perhaps to play a game with yourself to see how many game shows you can identify.
The retro Thin Lizzy influences are well worked, songs such as Trail of Tears and Spitfire are winners and all over it we have the always excellent Laurence Archer tearing up and down the fretboard.
The two exceptions apart, the rest of the album is solid and enjoyable. A three and a half out of five for me.
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