CD REVIEW: IAN MOSS – Ian Moss

Shane | 18 April 2018 | Reply

CD REVIEW: IAN MOSS – Ian Moss
Bloodlines
March 2018
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar
9/10

Never one to rush into anything – this self-titled record is Cold Chisel guitarist Ian Moss’s seventh solo effort, and his first since 2009’s Soul On West 53rd (his last album of all original songs dates way back to 1996’s Petrolhead) – Ian Moss has delivered a smooth, slick album of classy, well-written soulful rock tunes which will doubtless appeal to anyone who enjoyed his solo debut Tucker’s Daughter, and Cold Chisel fans everywhere.

Though less abrasive than Chisel, Moss’s solo outings are still coated in that deliciously honeyed white soul voice that graced Bow River, My Baby and other Chisel classics, and his guitar playing is not only exemplary, but also instantly recognisable.

If Another Day (Love Rewards It’s Own) bookends the album in single and extended versions, and is almost tailor made for FM radio… even though they’ll probably just play Tucker’s Daughter instead. Their loss.

Broadway is a slow burn, a song that practically sizzles in a laid back, smokey blues way. It’s as good as anything he’s done, and the likes of Fistful Of Money and Baby You’re Just Too Much roll with the best of them as well.

Down Along The Track evokes Moss’s hometown of Alice Springs with its sparse guitar and dusty groove, while I’m Not Your Only Man goes deep down the soul rabbithole to great effect.

A jazzy guitar solo brightens up Hold On (To What You Got) and Moss resurrects an old demo from late Chisel bandmate Steve Prestwich in My Suffering, given an emotional reading and heartfelt solo here in loving tribute.

Since we’re unlikely to get another solo album from Moss in a hurry, we’re damned lucky this one is so good – repeated listens will not damped it’s appeal, and in fact, it may be his best record yet.