Alibi is the latest in a long line of bands to feature a certain Mr. Vince O'Regan on guitar It doesn't seem that long ago that we were reviewing the debut album from his other 'current' band Eden, or for that matter the last Bob Catley solo album. For Alibi's debut, Misdemeanours,  O'Regan has teamed up with his former Pulse partner, bassist Andy Mills and has also been joined by former Double Cross vocalist Rick Chase who's voice is extremely well suited to the material O'Regan has put together for this album.. 

What about said material then? Classy British Melodic hard rock just about sums it up, with a twin guitar attack and keyboards only used in support of the overall sound. There are a myriad of bands that Alibi can be compared too. Think Shy, Ten, Tobruk or even Mr. Catley's recent solo work and you won't be far wrong. 

The album opens with the up-tempo 'Get Ready' and from there continues in much the same vein throughout. Highlights include 'By Your Side', a cracking song with excellent changes in tempo,  'Out Of Love' another good up-tempo number that reminds one of early Def Leppard,  'Why', an acoustically driven number and a rockin' version  of  Neil Young’  Rockin' In The Free World. There isn't really a duff track on the CD and that makes for well rounded melodic crock album with Chase’s vocals carrying the songs along nicely. 

On the downside however is the sonic qualities of the record. The production at times does seem a bit on the thin side and doesn't fully utilise the spectrum of sounds that could have been captured. Perhaps next time round the band should work with an outside producer to bring a bit of balance into proceedings as with O'Regan taking on the production job as well as song writing and guitar duties he may be just too close to the tracks to see things objectively. That quibble aside Misdemeanours is a good solid debut from ALibi...

Let us know your views on 'Misdemeanours'

Track List

 Get Ready
 Masquerade
 No Reason
 Gabrielle
 By Your Side
 Out Of Love
 Who's Foolin' Who
 Yesterday's News
 Nothing Changes
 Lost On The Inside
 Why
 Rockin' In The Free World

Line Up

Rick Chase - Vocals
Vince O' Regan - Guitars
 James Wright - Drums
 Andy Mills - Bass
 A J Mills - Guitars