100% PROOF — New Way Of Livin' (review)

100% PROOF — New Way Of Livin' album cover EP · 1980 · NWoBHM Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
Certif1ed
Surprisingly better than you might imagine, the title track to this EP kicks off with a slice of AC/DC style boogie, clearly inspired by Whole Lotta Rosie.

Until the key change, there's a convincing drive, and the full NWoBHM warmth and freshness you'd expect, and really, it's only the odd mentioning of Jesus that gives the game away and lets you know that this is a Christian Rock band - it's in no way as overt or saccharine tainted as bands such as Stryper.

Coming in at the best part of 5 minutes, it is a bit long though.

The second track, Lookin' In is a surprising change in style, with a little OI punk attitude and a surprisingly ray of sunshine in the predominant major keys with almost Carribean flavours that suggest Reggae music.

Flip the EP, and the quality is maintained, with a heads-down, A minor rocker entitled What's the Cost?. The mid section changes tempo and ambience suddenly, with light drifts of keyboard floating underneath the melodic solo, before the predictable change back to the original riffage for some speedier soloing, which is maintained call-and-answer style until, yes, a second guitar solo.

Littered with Chuck Berry Licks, you're not going to hear anything earthshaking here - but as you explore the inner sanctum of the NWoBHM, you get to know that in many cases, the predictability is the whole point!

The EP finishes off with a remarkably tuneful instrumental, starting down-tempo, with some extremely tasteful guitar playing - and some twin-barrelled stuff, reminiscent of Thin Lizzy; I'm put in mind a little of the Lynott classic Parisienne Walkways. A nice tempo change roughly two minutes in is a cool touch, with some finger-bleeding widdly-woo on the lead guitar - you know the score, minor pentatonic, string bends and stuff - but a great technique is on display, with really accurate playing for the tempo.

All in all, a very accomplished first EP from 100% Proof, which is well worth a listen.
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