Things have gone from strength to strength over the last two years for Glenn Hughes. Since the release of the 1996 DEP Sessions (finally released in 2004 and featuring Tony Iommi on guitar) Glenn has hardly put a foot wrong. Last year saw the brilliant solo album ‘Soul Mover’ and another Iommi collaboration with ‘Fused’. All quality releases with the ‘voice of rock’ never sounding better. 

However the expectancy level wasn’t exactly high on the above albums mainly due to Hughes’ almost legendary mercurial tendencies to work with just about anyone, or anything. And of course in the past the quality has suffered. Yet ‘Soul Mover’ proved Glenn can focus on his solo career and produce the goods. As such it felt slightly weird reviewing ‘Music for the Divine’ as for the first time a lot is expected of Hughes and his new album. So has the voice of rock delivered? 

Certainly this is one of the more important records for 2006. Artist’s of Hughes calibre aren’t exactly in abundance at the moment. They are either low profile or churning out crap. Or both! Thank god then for a bloke who has not only cleaned up his act in his private life but has suddenly found a new drive and focus with his music. 

I suppose the two in Hughes’ case are related and this almost Aerosmith-like rise from the ashes continues on ‘Music from the Divine’. The press blurb describes it as a ‘career defining album’ and you know for once they may actually be right.  

The whole thing kicks off with ‘The Valiant Denial’. A typically acid piece of Hughes observation that is only spoiled by a slightly cheesy, forced guitar refrain. Yet by the end of the song all is forgiven as string arrangements and atmospheric guitar playing compliment a quite brilliant vocal. Its well moody but then Glenn suddenly gets all funky with the awesomely addictive soul of ‘Steppin’ On’ and ‘Monkey Man’. Both make the Scissor Sisters sound about as funky as Fred Elliot from Coronation Street doing a bit of Karaoke. 

‘This House’ is almost Beatles-esque, ‘You Got Soul’ has an incredibly powerful vocal and ‘Frail’ is quite wonderful – one of the best things Hughes has done, with its simple string arrangement. Indeed all the ‘string’ parts on this album were written by Hughes and they really do add an incredible atmosphere. 

My only moan is bonus track ‘Nights in White Satin’. It has the most excruciating guitar solo of all time and I’m afraid Glenn way over-sings it to the point where he ends up like a male version of bleedin’ Mariah C*rey. Yuk!  

Thankfully ‘Too High’ and the quirky ‘This Is How I Feel’ get things back on track. Only to be outdone by final track ‘The Divine’. Which if anything is better than ‘Frail’. The simplistic acoustic and string backing a perfect foil for Hughes ultra-expressive tonsils. 

The thing is I have gone almost to the end of this review and not even mentioned that the album features the Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith and John Frusciante. Yet a good word must also go in for Hughes’ long time cohort JJ Marsh on guitar. OK so there are a couple of dodgy lead moments from (presumably) Marsh but by and large the instrumental performances are understated to the point of genius. 

Yet it is Glenn Hughes, baring his soul (pun intended), that is the star. He’s never sounded better, his songwriting is up there with the best, and this album is set to become a classic. ‘Music for the Divine’ has a rare depth and integrity so lacking with many modern bands. That’s what makes it so special.

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Track List

The Valiant Denial
Steppin' On
Monkey Man
This House
You Got Soul
Frail
Black Light
Nights In White Satin
Too High
This Is How I Feel
The Divine

Line  Up

Glenn Hughes - Vocals/Bass
JJ Marsh - Guitar
Chad Smith - Drums
John Frusciante - Guitars