Red Light Fever

Having struggled with demons and addiction, the Foo Fighters’ little lost drummer boy returns with his other band for some good ol’ rock n roll. Remaining behind the skins, Hawkins also takes on song writing and vocal duties, aided by Chris Chaney and Gannin Arnold on bass and guitar respectively. Red Light Fever is undeniably a step up from the band’s ramshackle debut, production-wise at least. The songs themselves are right out of the hard rock songbook. With a host of guest musicians that include Dave Grohl, Brian May and Roger Taylor, you know what you’re in store for. It’s a little bit Foos, a lot 70s hairy rock. Derivative, sure, but that’s almost the point of the record - a carefree tribute to the music he loves. When it’s done well, that’s no bad thing. ‘Not Bad Luck’ is a great stomp-along rocker, all crunching guitars and catchy refrains. It wears its Queen influence on its sleeve. ‘I Don't Think I Trust You Anymore’ may best it. It’s brooding and building, using Hawkins’ breathy whisper to good effect before hitting a power chorus pay-off. Elsewhere though, mediocrity lies. If it aims for the stadium, it often just ends up in the bar. These are tired formulas if not handled correctly. ‘Never Enough’ is a case in point - a decent sliding guitar in search of a tune, it plays like bad Pink Floyd, droning and monotonous. In parts, it sounds like an album more fun to record than to listen to. A commendable effort for sure, just unlikely to induce a fever in many.