I suppose that you could call San Francisco's The Society Of Rock veterans now, but they show no sign of reducing the quality of their output. We love 'em here. Their albums have great variety. Just as you think they are one thing, they become something else song to song.
Picking two songs next to each other sort of shows what I mean. The Other Side is all Psych Pop and the UK Beat of the late 60s that was partially revived during UK New Wave. Smoke And Mirrors is a cross between American West Coast Rock and UK 70s Pop Rock with some incredible Organ runs.
This continues throughout. For a band who can be so Guitar heavy, it is brave to open the album with the mellow, gentleness of Amen, but it works. Lo and Behold that is followed by the magnificent Doors Are Open with its Jangle and killer vocal and chorus.
Make It Right is moody weeping Classic Rock, part The Eagles, part Dropkick. Yet Getting Along is Gospel like whilst getting more than a little George Harrison. Golden State has a splendid jaunty instrumental that matches biting lyrics and has a corking lazy vocal. It also adds some killer Tijuana Brass.
After the pacer listen that was Unearthed, Tough Trip On Paradise reveals the band's mellower side a bit more. The arrangements are superb and reveal them to be at ease with any direction. They master all that they do easily.
When the pace picks up, it is a reminder of how adaptable The Society Of Rockets are, With such variety, it can be hard to hold listener's attention. There's not a bit of that here, you excitedly wait for what's next which is all that any album can do and Tough Trip Through Paradise underlines the benefit of albums. Save those playlists for mix tapes and lose yourself in quality.
You can listen to and buy the album here. It is also available on Vinyl and CD.
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