The Treatment - 'Wake Up The Neighbourhood', Frontiers, Released 10th May 2024

These guys are a quality rock band. An unquestionable collection of talented musicians displaying musical strengths; great guitar sound, vocals, melodies and lyrics.

There have been a few line-up changes over the years, but hey, that's something that ain’t a new thing for many bands. So we have Tom Rampton (Vocals), Andy Milburn (Bass), Dhani Mansworth (Drums), Tao Grey (Guitar/Backing Vocals) and Tagore Grey (Guitar/Backing Vocals).

So far over their 16 year history, this Cambridge UK based band have released 5 albums and we’re now lucky enough that they bring us their 6th entitled ‘Wake Up The Neighbourhood’.

Before I heard this 2024 release for me their previous highlights were the 2021 release ‘Waiting For Good Luck’ (delivering the awesome ‘Let It Begin’ and ‘Vampress’) and 2019’s ‘Power Crazy’ (which gave us the memorable ‘Lets Get Dirty’).

So what of ‘Waking Up The Neighbourhood’?

Well its a solid 11 track release and for me consolidates the quality of the 2021 release ‘Waiting For Good Luck’.

‘Lets Wake Up This Town’ sets their stall out right slap bang in front of you, planting their collective feet musically right in front of your ears, rousing opening track plenty going on in it.

Different approach with track 2, ’Back To The 1970’s’, takes you back with a few references to the legendary rock acts of the 70’s and the angst that must be felt for those that didn’t experience it, but wished they had been there.

‘When Thunder And Lightning Strikes’ is one of the best tracks on the album. Big guitar sounds, sultry backing vocals and quality lead vocals very much akin to a late ’80’s Northern European AOR sound.

Next up ‘This Fire Still Burns’ is pure heads down rock n roll, will be awesome in a live setting.

‘Man On The Highwire’ is the top track for me. The first time I heard it immediately picked up the messages hidden in plain sight on the lyrics. Big vibe coming through, some like you to succeed but others want to see you fail. Think the lads have given two fingers to the naysayers and just batter out a pure bopping rock track.

The vibe slows right down with ‘I Can’t Wait No Longer’ and wouldn’t be out of place as a 1970’s rock ballad. Love the lyrics these guys write ‘we all pay the price in this broken paradise’ indeed we do. Pretty awesome harmony guitar work from Tao and Tagore in there for good measure as well

Towards the last third of the album ‘Don’t Make No Difference’, would hold its own in a free spirited southern rock ensemble. Has the best vocals from Tom on the album.

Track 8 is ‘Fire Me Up’ and delivers power rock with a great lyric story to it, another that will be I’d imagine excellent live.

‘Free Yourself’ brings you a bluesy rock influence with a bit of swagger and upbeat tempo.

‘Kick You Around’ pulls the bands style back to the first couple of albums they released, reminds me of how they held their own on The Scorpions tour, sounds great and again brilliant harmony guitar work

Then there we have it, hit the last track on the album ‘I’ve Got My Mind Up’, similar in style to track 8, continues to ouze class and yet again shares these guys musical ability.

This is a great album one of the picks of the year so far for me. Favourites song choices are ‘When Thunder And Lightning Strikes’, ‘This Fire Still Burns’, ‘Kick You Around’ and my favourite ‘Man On The Highwire’.

If you’ve not heard The Treatment before ‘Wake Up the Neighbourhood’ is I’d say their best release so far. But don’t ignore what they’ve also done before, quality band.

Kevin McCallum