Blog Post
The Answer -'Sundowners'
Laura DQ • Mar 16, 2023
Album Review
Seven years since we last heard from The Answer, the Irish rockers are back with a St. Patrick’s Day treat in the form of seventh studio album Sundowners. After the experimental Solas, commonly perceived as a bit of a misstep, Sundowners confounds again with a decidedly modern production that puts the bass right up front but somehow strips everything back, allowing Cormac Neeson’s spectacular vocals to really breathe. This time though, the surprise is a happy one; an album that might just be the best yet with groovier riffs, fuzzier guitar and enough diversity to keep things really interesting.
The title track emerges slowly, smouldering, hypnotic, carried on a rumbling bass groove and punctuated with swampy guitar. It’s a track that keeps threatening to explode but chooses to simmer. An unusual choice of opener that creates an atmosphere and lures you in.
Chosen as the first single, Blood Brother is a straight up stomper, reminiscent of The Black Keys at their El Camino best, complete with female backing vocals and underpinned by keyboard. In contrast, California Rust brings to mind Them Crooked Vultures with a wonky riff and quirky, offbeat drums executed to perfection by James Heatley.
There’s a surprising amount of funk in the jubilant Want You To Love Me and soulful Cold Heart. I don’t recall The Answer ever sounding quite so sexy; maybe it’s the insistent riff, but Oh Cherry positively crackles with lust and naughty intentions. Similarly, Get Back On It muscles in with an attitude and swagger you might not have thought this foursome capable of.
They can do heartfelt too; No Salvation provides a laid back counterpoint to the heavier rockers with harmonica flourishes and stirring ‘woahs’. Always Alright starts softly, and culminates in a moving finale, Cormac’s gritty vocal cutting through the gospel backing.
This is the sound of a band rediscovering the joy of making music together. Sundowners? Sounds more like the sun rising over a new day.