HIGH TREASON — Saturday Night Special (review)

HIGH TREASON — Saturday Night Special album cover Demo · 1980 · NWoBHM Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
Certif1ed
Something special...

So the A side of this single from High Treason is what you'd call a real belter.

No fancy musicianship, silly technical noodling or general widdling about - this is heads down and no nonsense - if not quite mindless.

The opening might have you think you were about to hear a Thin Lizzy number, as the twin guitars and pounding bass launch an assault on your eardrums, propelled by the obligitary battery of the kit.

When the song kicks in, it's a bit of a surprise - if, like me, you were expecting Lizzy, as it piles off in a different but no less pleasing hard rock direction with seamless, natural melody belted out in a hoarse, whiskey-sodden tone - all the time, the guitars sounding like they're about to pop a tube or two under the sheer pressure.

The odd thing - the really odd thing is that the catchy, melodic chorus you think you're hearing is NOT the chorus at all - and when that kicks in, it sweeps you off your feet with unbridled power.

The subtle skills of the songwriting continue to be unfurled with various little sections popping out at you unexpectedly, yet quite naturally - and the guitar solo comes much later than you'd expect, adding to the continual surprise that this song delivers.

Yet it's a simple little song - and all the better for that fact!

This is one to quaff ale to (which is a bit like drinking it, only you spill more) whilst jumping around like a complete lunatic for no reason except that it feels bloody good doing it.

No wonder collectors are prepared to shell out the best part of a monkey for a copy - but wait! I haven't flipped it over yet!

Waste My Love showcases the superlative songwriting once more - this time kicking off like a hard rock version of Yes.

I kid you not.

Except that, unlike Yes, I actually like this, because it doesn't spend ages showcasing a mediocre tenor with simple harmonies, hours widdling about aimlessly up and down the fretboard or days on boring keyboard/drum/bass solos that no-one's interested in, but instead, gets on with the job of delivering an interestingly composed song.

It's not in the same league as the A-side for sheer face-ripping rockin-ness, but does go to show that this is every bit the lost gem it's hyped up to be.
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