Jeff Beck – Loud Hailer

With his first record in six years, Jeff Beck demonstrates his mastery for the guitar. The title finds its origins in the rock guitarist’s desires to shout his views about the world to an audience: the album is his rally where he can voice his viewpoints through a loud speaker. Loud Hailer is less interested in doing something completely new, more in the sound and feeling of a band: whilst the music compass veers wildly from the rocky growl of Right Now to the balladic Scared for the Children, all of the songs keep the collaborative power of a band at the heart. The tracks were written in collaboration with singer Rosie Bones and guitar player Carmen Vandenberg, and the partnership is fruitful, with each musician complementing each other’s style.

Some of the best and most noteworthy songs include Live in the Dark, which will also be released as a single. The vocals are well worked with fiery instrumentals: it is proof of the strength of Bones’ and Beck’s collaboration. Scared for the Children contrasts hugely, but is equally an impressive number: it is a beautiful ballad creating a place of calm introspection on the record. The Revolution Will Be Televised certainly starts the album off with a bang but it is by no means the best track. Bones speaks the lyrics over wild guitars, which are testament that Beck still has it at 71.

Right Now is a classic, angry rock song, in which vocals tell the tale of greed. O.I.L is another great number, again with intense vocals but also mixing in elements of funk and pure rhythm. There are two main instrumentals, Pull It and Edna, both of which work well to balance out the ferocious vocals of the other tracks.

Loud Hailer is intense; it may not be Jeff Beck’s greatest but he proves that he still has vigour and capability. His guitar playing stands alone and seems, if anything, to only keep getting better.

Georgie Cowan-Turner
Photo: Ross Halfin

Loud Hailer is released on 15^th July 2016, for further information or to order the album visit here

Listen to Live in the Dark here: