Firebird’s last album Grand Union was one of my favorites of 2009 and I knew they would have a hard time topping it. Their new album Double Diamond is a very solid rock album but doesn’t quite match the intensity of the last one. Still, Firebird is one of the better rock bands out there and new material is always welcome and worthy of support.
Double Diamond starts off with “Soul Saviour,” one of the stronger songs on the album. Guitarist Bill Steer fires up a classic riff and the band comes in with a great cowbell driven groove. The first thing I noticed is that the production seems to be a bit more “modern” than in the past. Of course, in Firebird’s world “modern” means Paul Chapman era UFO and Chinatown by Thin Lizzy. As always the band is very tight and Bill’s guitar playing is outstanding.
Mid-tempo songs like “Ruined” and “Bright Lights” are pretty commercial sounding. Too bad these won’t get any airplay because they could definitely appeal to a mainstream classic rock audience. Faster ones like “”For Crying Out Loud” and “A Wing & A Prayer” will sound great in your car as you’re rocking down the highway. Overall, I think this album will sound better in a car than on a home stereo. The production is top notch and there’s plenty of variety so you won’t get bored on the road. It is, however, lacking barnburners like Grand Union’s “Blue Flame” or their storming version of Humble Pie’s “Four Day Creep.”
--Woody
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