More info: spitfirewolfmusic@hotmail.com
Verdict: 80's influenced AOR meets hard rock (68%)
Pete has been in few bands - Sanction, Cherokee and Sarajevo. Sarajevo were getting some attention by the likes of the BBC 1's Friday Rock Show when Seattle happened and the band were one of the victims of grunge. Pete resurfaced back in 2000 with his first solo album - "Can't Do Right For Doing Wrong". This was followed up in 2002 with "Eternal Pursuit". "Karma's Gonna Get You" is his third solo album, recorded principally by Pete in his home studio. Yes, he one of the those annoying people, at least to non-musos like myself who just wish they could play one instrument, who can record an album virtually single-handed.
The album starts off with "Leaving Tonight" which is a catchy AOR meets hard rock track that reminds me of "The Cage" era The Tygers Of Pan Tang. "Release My Heart" follows in a similar vein. "This Could Be Love" has it's roots in big Bon Jovi style power ballads, but doesn't quite suit Pete's Axl Rose style vocals, which like Axl's may not be universally popular. For me, it is a track by track thing, some work in the vocal department, other's don't. "Into The Fire" is more 80's AOR with features plenty of big harmonies on the chorus. "If You Can't Find Love" is a lilting track featuring a Spanish guitar influence. "Hard To Let Go" & the title track are mid-tempo AOR/hard rock tunes. "Eternity Begins Tonight" is a slow meandering ballad. "Standing At The Door Of Our Last Chance" improves matters. The vocals on "Nowhere To Run" and a bonus track cover of Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight" are instances which don't work for me, unfortuanately leaving me with a negative take away thought, and not doing the album justice.
So that is the music covered, now onto the most important fact about this album. All proceeds from this album are being donated by Pete to a charity called "On Track", which is part of the Elizabeth Fitzroy Support. "On Track" is a day service (essentially a skills centre) for adults with very severe learning disabilities and physical disabilities. They need funds to facilitate a move to new premises and to buy the equipment vital to developing their members.
The album is available from:
23 Nightingdale Close
Rowlands Castle
Hampshire
PO9 6EU
England
for £10 in the UK and £11.50 outside the UK, cheques made payable to P. Billington.
More information about the On Track & the Elizabeth Fitzroy Support at www.efitzroy.org.uk
Dig deep into those pockets!
A limited run of the disc will be supplied with a free copy of Pete's last CD "Eternal Pursuit".
