It has been a very, very long while since I stood toe to toe with a Great White album. It has been even longer since I met one that I actually liked! I also have to say that my heart sank considerably when I read that Michael Lardie and Mark Kendall had fun, “channelling our Stones roots and playing off each other in the Richards/Woods tradition.” However, I am pleased to report that Back to the Rhythm is a somewhat pleasant surprise and far better than I expected. It is by no means perfect but after everything this band has been through in recent years it is good to see them hopefully reap some rewards. 

One of the very first CD’s I reviewed for this site was the comeback album by Shark Island and in many ways Back to the Rhythm has a similar feel to it. It is very laid back and kind of rootsy, although it has slightly better songs and a more cohesive feel about it overall. 

The first half is of a very high standard but the second half falls away quite dramatically and it all gets a little samey towards the end, so let’s concentrate on the first half shall we? The title track opens proceedings and is possibly the best song on the album (alright, definitely) and musically the Stones are an obvious reference point but at least Jack Russell doesn’t have that annoying Estuary drawl that the large lipped one has. A very good song and a very fine opener with a blistering solo sets the whole record up nicely. 

Here Goes My Head Again is another good effort once more led by the aforementioned guitars of Messers Kendall and Lardie. It is also the song that really put me in mind of Shark Island. Take Me Down throws in some AC/DC style riffs which is always good whilst Play On slows things down a little and appears to possibly be about the band’s own travails. 

Was It The Night features what I consider to be Jack Russell’s best vocal performance on the CD and I’m Alive is a happy song about the joys of love which is performed in a very understated manner with some rather fetching harmony vocals. It would be untrue to say that the rest of the disc is without merit, however, as I noted earlier the remaining songs just don’t grab me as much as the first few.  

If you have ever been a fan of Great White and have lost touch with them, this may well be a good place to start.

Let us know your views on Back To The Rhythm

Track Listing

Back To The Rhythm
Here Goes My Head Again
Take Me Down
Play On
Was It The Night
I'm Alive
Still Hungry
Standin' On The Edge
How Far Is Heaven
Neighborhood
30 Days In The Hole
Just Yesterday

Line Up

Jack Russell - Vocals
Mark Kendall - Guitars
Audie Desbrow - Drums
Michael Lardie - Guitar/Keyboards
Sean McNabb - Bass