GLENN HUGHES
Soul Mover
Frontiers Records 2005
www.glennhughes.com

What’s the 4-1-1?
Wasting no time, Glenn follows-up 2003’s Songs in the Key of Rock.

Genre
Rock / blues rock / hard rock

The Good
Everything about the opening track “Soul Mover” emits soul. Right down to the smooth vocals, twangy guitar riffs, and driving bass lines. Tribal drum beats dominate “She Moves Ghostly”. The song is sure to get your foot tapping and body moving. Glenn’s vocals are quite empowering during that catchy chorus section. The guitars are quite subtle during most of the track, but then guest guitarist Dave Navarro cuts loose during the solo. Fuzzy, electronica style rhythms can be heard on “High Road”.

Glenn is both seductive and funky with his delivery. Dual guitar licks and cosmic keyboard effects command the bluesy track “Orion”. “Let It Go” is serine and passionate during the verse sections and intense and supercharged during the choruses. The fiery solo takes the track to a whole new level. “Dark Star” displays pure seventies wakka-wakka funk guitar. “Isolation” is full of so much emotion and feeling that it could bring a tear to your eye. This serenade builds to an eighties-style power ballad conclusion.

The Bad
Nothing

The Verdict
I heard so much about Glenn Hughes making a comeback in the last few years, so I decided to check out Songs in the Key of Rock. I was quite disappointed. To me he was still stuck in the 60s-70s rock time warp. On Soul Mover, Glenn has completely blown me away. He manages to draw from his admiration of 60s-70s blues rock, but gives it a modern rock touch, making it appealing to wider range of music fans. Glenn also seems to have put more time into his songwriting.

Did You Know?
One of Glenn’s earliest bands was Trapeze, which featured guitarist Mel galley who went on to play in Whitesnake and drummer Dave Holland who went on to play for Judas Priest.

Rating: out of 5

Related Reviews:
Glenn Hughes - Soulfully Live in the City of Angels

--George Dionne