REVIEW: Let the Good Times Roll – Heartbreak Remedy

Heartbreak Remedy. Luke Blair, Matty Penn and Steve Jackson. Picture: Mark Regan

The most amazing thing about listening to this album is actually remembering that these are local Cumbrian lads and I know them.

This is in no way disrespectful to the band, but this album could easily have been put out by any top 10 rock band.

Stephen Jackson, Matty Penn and Luke Blair have always sounded good together, but this album really lets their talent shine – so much can be gained and lost in the mix and this, to me, sounds just about perfect.

Matty’s gravelly vocals are perfect for this album and the variety of styles on it, but also perfectly suited to the slower tracks, Goodbye and Drowning.

Luke really is hitting new heights here, blazing solos and melody, perfect.

Stephen’s drumming? What is there to say? He’s Chris Holmes’ drummer of choice for a very good reason. The drum sound here is spot on and the playing is as tight as you’d expect.

Heartbreak Remedy are now seasoned experienced musicians and it shows. They’ve played the gigs, travelled the miles and paid their dues to develop into a three-piece to rival almost any other band you’d care to mention.

To my ears, there are parts of this album that sound like The Cult, UFO or even Cinderella. There are blues, hair metal and classic rock themes running through this album – but it’s all Hearbreak Remedy.

While the majority are out-and-out rock and roll numbers, that are genuine foot-tappers and make you want to turn it all up a little bit more.

You also have a couple of emotional numbers on there – Goodbye and Drowning. They change the pace of the album nicely and certainly tugged on my feelings each time I listened.

Matty Penn and Luke Blair. Picture: Mark Regan

An extra bonus here are the guest musicians adding a lovely bit of extra flavour.

Heartbreak Remedy always sound like they have more band members than they have but the additional guitars from JJ Watt, Hoss Thompson, Frank Meyer (and Vox) and Dicky Clark, keyboards from Mark Jones and vocals from Andy Mewse add a lovely extra layer to the album.

It is a perfect pinch of extra seasoning to an already superb menu.

The album was recorded at the Music Farm with Tom Tyson and JJ Watt.

As a fan of rock, blues, metal and just about any guitar-oriented music, this album is a perfect addition to your library, they nestle between Heart and Helix in my library and that seems like perfect company.