I remember the very first time that I heard Thunder. I was living in France at the time and was just about able to pick up the Friday Rock Show each week, albeit a badly distorted version. Cut a long story short, Tommy Vance (R.I.P) started the show with the same song 3 weeks in a row. I couldn't hear the name of the band because of the poor reception, but loved the tune.

It turned out to be, "She's So Fine" by a London band called Thunder. It was their debut single. I got the album," Backstreet Symphony"….loved it…still do…it's one of the great Rock'N'Roll debuts. Everything is in place.Songs, performances, production. A classic.

Thunder went on to great success with the album…the follow-ups were all of a high standard, at least to these ears." Behind Closed Doors", their third album, although a disappointment to the band, is an album I've always enjoyed. The others all had great songs too.

Always a superb live band, Thunder kept releasing work and touring extensively until they sadly split in 2000.
Inspired by the relaunch of the "Monsters of Rock" tour, Thunder reformed in 2002, still feeling that they had something to offer.

For what it's worth, they were right!!!"Shooting at the Sun" was a competent return, soon to be followed by the brilliant "The Magnificent Seventh"…their finest album since their debut. It was not so much a return to form, as Luke Morley's (lead guitar, band leader, principal songwriter) muse returning with real force. This is not to belittle their other releases. Thunder have never put out bad work. None of their albums are anything other than great R'n'R ....but "TMS" is on the money.Upbeat; Hook-laden….a brilliant album…Thunder's star was in the ascendancy again.

And so to "Robert Johnson's Tombstone"…their eighth album proper.

Funnily enough, it's a Thunder album…and a bloody good one. If you don't like Thunder …look away now. There is nothing on this record to change your opinion. Just the same high quality as usual. As I said earlier, Songs, performances, production.

Everything is in place, Morley's songs switch between Jack-the-lad bravado (The Devil Made Me Do It) and loved-and-lost heartbreak (It's All About You) with absolute ease, a songwriter at the top of his game. Although not as immediate as "TMS", this new album has a depth and purpose to it. The rewards for repeated listens are many. For instance, I've rarely heard their solos have as much aggression and bite. Morley and Ben Matthew's guitars have an Angus Young-esque edge. The addition of a cello adds a splash of colour to the gentle songs. The hooks are still here, as on the brilliantly catchy," Andy Warhol Said"… present and correct.

Regarding the individual performances, Danny Bowes is quite simply one of the finest singers Britain has ever produced. He's a modern-day Marriot, Cocker; Rodgers.The guy doesn't produce a bad performance. He's always been the perfect man to interpret Morley's songs. Drummer Harry James is still the metronomic genius of old…the only man whose hi-hat is on a cut of the bands' profits, such is it's prominence in the mix. Ben Matthews adds his usually classy Hammond Organ and second guitar and Chris Childs is a fine bassist who also picks up a co-write to break the Morley monopoly ,the rocky "Last Man Standing".

From the title track to the excellent closer" Stubborn Kinda Love", this is an album that continues the excellent form of "This Magnificent Seventh"…if you've chosen to ignore Thunder since their debut, or have simply forgotten them…buy this record. It's a great piece of work.

Thunder (and essentially Luke Morley) have got a second wind. Live shows are selling well, in bigger venues than previously…the reviews are positive. They've embraced the internet, and their excellently run website (www.thunderonline.com) is well worth a visit, containing exclusive music and Merc, a la Marillion. This will more than likely ensure that this excellent band lasts for more albums, exciting live shows and yet more variations on the hilariously funny "comedy drummer" album cover theme.

4 / 5

DIXIE