Just by a freaky coincidence Gary Barden’s best known work (MSG’s Live at Budokan) happens to be resting on my turntable right now. To be fair it has been there for a long time as I haven’t been arsed to climb into the loft to get another piece of vinyl to replace it. Ergo, I am interested to find out what Mr Barden is up to these days as he’s never exactly been overly prolific. One thing I can tell you is that when you get a classy vocalist and pair him with a classy record label like Escape the chances of disappointment are fairly slim and this doesn’t disappoint in any way. It also doesn’t change the world in any way but in reality that isn’t what we are looking for with this type of release. 

Creatures of the Night is the first track and possibly the best – it’s a real grower and worms inside the old brain so that you find yourself humming it in the town centre and other bizarre places! Unchain Me has Dio type guitars and a poppy chorus that is rather satisfying before an organ intro heralds When the Lovin’ Dies which is powered along by some quality guitar work.  

It doesn’t take much to confuse me but the promo copy of the CD had Last Samurai and You in the wrong order according to the track listing but that’s OK as they’re both pretty good. Escape seem particularly pleased with Last Samurai but I personally prefer Dragon’s Fire which has an epic other worldly feel and rivals Creatures of the Night as the top track herein. 

Voices in the Rain has echoes of the 1980’s in the guitars and in the song structure and is another goodie as is Love Lost which is mid tempo yet muscular. Burn on the Flame is a Sweet cover and although it’s not one of The Sweet’s poppier efforts it is somewhat out of place here in my opinion. It doesn’t fit in with the rest although it is by no means awful. 

This leaves us with Déjà vu and the near title track In Love & War. The first of those is much darker than its immediate predecessor and takes a few listens to get into whilst In Love & War is nicely laid back and ends the album on a mellow note. Regular reader will remember that I like every album to end with a Freebird type frenzy so I’m not being catered for here but to be fair it is a good song and Mr. Barden remains in good voice.  

As I said at the start this isn’t a life changing record – what it is though is an example o0f someone who after many years has honed his craft and still deserves to be heard.

Let us know your views on Love And War

 Track Listing

Creatures Of The Night
Unchain Me
When The Lovin' Dies
You
The Last Samurai
Dragon's Fire
Voices In The Rain
Love Lost
Burn On The Flame
Deja Vu
In Love & War