By: Andy Little
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It was something of a rare achievement for a new British rock band brandishing a love affair with early 1970’s classic rock to barge into the national U.K. album charts (number 12 in 2013) in the 21st century. The Temperance Movement’s debut album helped them to be classified by some as a British Black Crowes – a sure fire way of saying this band has a certain throwback quality. In a space of a year they were transposed from playing Southend’s Chinnery size venues to headlining London’s Forum, which is no mean feat. So will they succumb to the tricky second album conundrum or can the eagerly anticipated second album continue to deliver rock-tastic grooves?
The answer is an emphatic yes, to the latter. Once again produced by Sam Miller it continues with good quality song writing but if there is any noticeable difference this time around it is the aura of confidence it boasts. Not that the debut album didn’t lack belief and self-assurance but White Bear has a puffed up peacock in full colour sureness kind of swagger that swells in part, I’m sure, to the above success and, being hand picked and hanging out, with the Rolling Stones themselves as support to four arena shows. And this translates effectively on the ten tracks all in a compact 35 minutes possessing less flab than an anorexic on diet pills. Consistently big catchy anthems the Movement strut their stuff high on belief.
From the off the familiar-ish bluesy refrain of opener ‘Three Bullits’ expands into a rousing anthemic sing-along that yells soon to be live favourite. While the respectful British Black Crowes tag is enhanced a few chips more etched in stone with ‘Set yourself free’. Yet where they truly triumph is when they spread their colourful armoury further afield in the track ‘A pleasant peace I feel’, an uproarious gospel chorus encompassing life re-assuring, spirit raising qualities.
While they will always be referred to as a retro rock band they do hark back to a time where the chorus was king. On every track the chorus elevates the song to greater peaks. Never afraid or ashamed to use oohs and la la’s to exploit every melodic possibility and audience participation. In turn, Phil Campbell’s vocals has gained a gravel toned durability and flexes his vocal chords in every way he can to wrench rock gutsiness to great effect in ‘Battle lines’, and the up the tempo stomper ‘Modern massacre’.
There are signs that they have the required craft to branch out successfully from their Hard Rock safety net. This is best exemplified in ‘Oh Lorraine’ where its Stones Roses influenced chorus extends into the baggy legends groove style ending. While the closing hymnal tinge of ‘I hope I’m not losing my mind’ has a slight modern updated guitar sound. So I am left to ponder if this may be a signifier to exploring other sounds, genres, in the same way Led Zeppelin did with their foray into folk rock with Led Zep III. But that can wait as I hit the repeat button, grab more coffee, and partake in some hard rockin’ holler.
If the debut album had you cracking open the liquor to strut around the living room, then the follow up should continue the party. Every track feels, sounds, like they will ensure the T.M. live experience continues to be a stylish and entertaining Rock n Roll night out, no matter which century we are in.
