Excellent!
As the NWOBHM began to falter and lose momentum in the early 80's, the once Brit dominated hard rockin' airwaves became increasingly congested with ever more glamorous foreign imports – particularly from North America. As history shows us, the likes of Def Leppard and Iron Maiden were the last home-grown acts to make it big before the shutters slammed shut and left those that followed becalmed in little more than a parochial backwater. Yet, whilst it's true to say that it was the start of more than a decade of US domination, you could still find the odd local nugget if only you knew where to look ... London based melodic rockers Airrace being one band with particular promise.
Formed in late '82 by ex More guitarist Laurie Mansworth and featuring the skin bashing talents of one Jason Bonham (the son of late Led Zeppelin legend John), Airrace certainly caused a minor stir with the release of their Beau Hill produced 'Shaft of Light' debut via Atlantic offshoot Atco a couple of years later. Slick, radio friendly AOR with great hooks and strong melodies (expertly interpreted by the vocal star in waiting that was Keith Murrell), it should by rights have set the band on their way to a meaningful career, but thanks to mishandling by the record execs of the day and Bonham moving on to Virginia Wolf, it would also prove to be their swansong.
Amazingly, more than 25 years later Airrace regrouped, and after a successful 'comeback' tour which culminated in a highly memorable appearance at Firefest back in 2009, decided that now was the time to record the follow up to 'Shaft Of Light'. Entitled 'Back To The Start' and produced by Mansworth himself, this long overdue sophomore set has a real old time warmth and vibe to it; and whilst the guitars are noticeably more prominent this time around, the hooks and melodies are still as bold and vibrant as they always were.
Unlike many of his contemporaries Murrell seems to have survived the years with his voice still largely intact, and it's the constant interplay between him and Mansworth that really makes this album shine for me. Trading licks and bouncing ideas off one another as if they've spent the last 30 years touring the world together, there's an absolute belief in what they're doing that really shines through in the music. And, although as I said earlier it's the guitars that rule the roost this time around, I defy anyone not to find their toes a tappin' after just one spin of tracks such as 'Enough Of Your Loving' (very Thunder like at times), 'Keep On Going' and 'Two Of A Kind'. The band clearly had a blast putting this album together, and that's something that translates well into the final performances – you can really feel the energy crackle as the band hit their stride!
Realistically speaking, this album has come too late in the day to set 'em on the road to international superstardom, but if we take it at face value as a reliable barometer of the potential Airrace still hold, I for one can only hope that they stick around to make a few more ... excellent!
Dave Cockett
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