On The Line

Portumna, Co Galway-based four-piece rock band Big Generator have been touring extensively over the past few years, particularly around Europe. They've also been busy guesting with similarly inclined acts such as Whitesnake and Joe Satriani. Following the success of the singles 'Don't Walk Away' and 'Sometimes' which were minor radio hits in Ireland, the band have now released their debut album On The Line on a Dutch-based label.

As their moniker suggests, Big Generator trade in slick, competent but fairly soulless FM/AOR rock, for which there is still, inexplicably, a huge market in the US. Comparisons with '70s US arena rockers such as Boston and Kansas are more than appropriate here (what's the betting that the opening track 'Carry On' was part inspired by the latter's mega hit 'Carry On Wayward Son'?).

Of the dozen band penned numbers included only 'One Minute', a Bryan Adams-style rocker, and 'Long Way Home' an Aerosmith-influenced, lighter-waving big ballad, sound distinctive enough to mark them apart from any of the bands they clearly aspire to becoming.

That said the musicianship is impeccable and the harmonies are suitably lush, while the production (by Chris O'Brien with help from Aslan's Joe Jewel) is faultless. But ultimately, Big Generator are plying a product which had its day two decades ago and now seems like nothing more than a well executed pastiche.