I don't understand the hype and popularity surrounding this debut release from Northern Ireland blues-rock throwbacks the Answer, acclaimed by Classic Rock as the best new band of 2005 and praised by the old-skool bands they were sent to tour with. It's a decent enough album of hard rock with a significant blues influence, in some songs more than others, but really offers nothing that can't be found from a brief overview of seventies rock. Paul Mahon's laid-back blues riffs and solos are there, vocalist Cormac Neeson is powerful and capable of a fair wail but doesn't have any distinctive character of his own, and the only real sign that this was made after 1978 is the ...  Read the complete review

My Oh My My My. Have Mercy On This Poor Mortals’ Soul, Lord. I’ve Gone And Got Me A New Religion. Praise Be Indeed The Answer - Rise Released on the Albert Productions label 2006 JASCDUK035 £9.99 from Virgin My oh my my my. Now here’s a fine thing. They are a funny lot, the Irish. For centuries, Ireland was the cradle of education in Europe, and then they allowed their society to be ridden apart with political and religious division. The English? The Irish hate ‘em. Their politicians are incapable of giving a straight answer. Heard of the Glasgow Kiss? Try a Belfast Knee-capping. Moreover, on top of all ...  Read the complete review