If you’re of a certain age here in the UK as I am you’ll have grown up in the 1970s in the midst of what was then “glam rock” era.
And you’ll remember that Sweet, along with the likes of Slade and T. Rex were at the head of it all.
Those countless slightly cheesy hit singles such as Ballroom Blitz, Wig Wam Bam, Block Buster and others. I have fond memories of rushing to the local record shop on a Saturday morning eager to blow that week’s pocket money on the latest one.
Those hits were written by the Mike Chapman/Nicky Chinn machine. However, beneath the glam, Sweet were really a thumping hard rock band.
The glory days came to a halt at the end of the 1970s and at times there were various version of Sweet involving the original members in various forms.
Of the “classic” line up of Brian Connolly, Steve Priest, Mick Tucker and Andy Scott, all have passed bar Scott who has kept Sweet going and remaining a popular live attraction.
Here we are in 2024 with a new album titled Full circle which is said to be the band’s final offering.
The glam rock days may be five decades in the past though there are flashes of it here, though Full Circle is an excellent album of muscular, punchy, melodic and hook-laden rockers all well crafted and memorable.
The opener – Circus – instantly burrows in to your ears and stays there. Chugging guitar, some synths, hooks galore and a big vocal from Paul Manzi. He has a fine set of pipes.
Circus is generally representative of the whole album. All enjoyable with the hooks and melodies merging with Scott’s punchy guitar work, the big back beat and Manzi’s soaring vocal range. Oh – and some tasty synths mixed in which add to the big sound and clear production.
Check out Destination Hanover for example. A big thumping rocker banging along apace like the steam train on the cover art.
If Full Circle is indeed to be Sweet’s final album then they most certainly go out on a high.
>> SWEET FULL CIRCLE ON AMAZON <<
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