I’m more familiar with HUGH CORNWELL‘s work with the STRANGLERS than I am any of his solo stuff, but that’s likely to change after hearing Hooverdam. The singer/guitarist’s latest solo record (available on disk with a DVD documentary or as a free download from his website) is a straightforward melodic rock & roll affair – nothing trendy or modern about it, thank goodness. Cornwell and his rhythm section simply knock out one catchy rock/pop gem after another, alternating attitudes bad (“Please Don’t Put Me On a Slow Boat to Trowbridge”) and romantic (“The Pleasure of Your Company”), aggressive (“Going To the City”) and contemplative (“Beat of My Heart”). There’s not a naff track here, with some, like “Within You or Without You,” “Delightful Nightmare” and the instrumental “Philip K. Ridiculous,” being particularly compelling. Proof that old dogs have plenty of life, Hooverdam contains some of the best work of Cornwell’s long and illustrious career.
