The 4th Album
The 4th Album brings The Record Company back to a direct blues rock sound. The playing has room to move, the hooks are clear, and the bass has a large part in making the songs work. It is a natural setting for the trio, who get more from a strong rhythm and a well-placed guitar line than from a complicated arrangement.
“Dance on Mondays” makes a lively opening, starting with the bass before the other parts join in. That simple entrance gives the song an immediate lift. “I Found Heaven (In My Darkest Days)” follows with another upbeat groove and a bright harmonica part. The two songs establish the record's easy movement without making it feel rushed.
“Highway Lady” provides a useful change of pace. The slower setting lets the guitar's shorter phrases and slide parts stand out, while a strong chorus keeps the song from becoming too loose. The band handle that drop in energy well. It gives the following tracks more room to make their own impression.
“Patterns” brings the bass forward again, with rougher singing and guitar fills adding character around it. “Talk to Me” is another highlight, using clean guitar lines against a steady groove. Its chorus is memorable without needing a large production around it. These are familiar blues rock tools, but the parts fit together with care.
The range stays fairly close to that centre. Listeners looking for the broader studio experiments of Play Loud will find a more straightforward record here. That choice works best when each song has a clear identity, and “I'm Working” helps with its acoustic guitar, harmonica and changes of pace. The closing “You Made a Mistake” moves towards a darker blues feel, with bottleneck guitar and an exposed vocal.
The 4th Album does not make a complicated claim for itself. It gives the trio a focused set of songs and lets their interplay supply the detail. The approach is familiar, but the strong bass lines, useful shifts in tempo and direct choruses make it a convincing return to their strengths.
