Album & EP Reviews

Gun – Hombres

Gun – Hombres
Cooking Vinyl
Release Date: 12/04/24.
Running Time: 46:43
Review by Paul Hutchings
8/10

Fans of Classic Rock and Metal alike hold a genuine soft spot for Scottish rockers Gun. Now into their fourth decade since their formation in 1987, the road hasn’t always been that easy for the band. Probably best known for their cover of Cameo’s ‘Word Up’ which hit the top ten in 1994, the Glaswegian outfit struggled during the latter part of the 1990s, splitting between 1997-2007, and then worked through various line-up changes until bassist Dante Gizzi took over the microphone in 2010. 

Gun, like many, but found the pandemic a challenging time. “It was the hardest period of the band’s existence,” says guitarist Giuliano Gizzi in the band’s latest bio. “It was impossible to write new songs. It was impossible to find the motivation to go into the studio. Basically, and I don’t think I’m alone in having thought this, I genuinely thought that there was no future for music”. 

Thankfully Gun have rediscovered their bounce which makes them such an attraction in the live setting, whether it be in a hot, sweaty club, or a larger arena, and we now welcome their ninth studio album “Hombres”. The first all-new music album by the band since 2017’s “Favourite Pleasures”, it also features the recording debut of new full-time guitarist, Ruaraidh “Roo” Macfarlane. 

There’s justified excitement about this album, for it is crammed with those earworms for which Gun are famous. While they have a distinctly singalong style, the band’s hard rock edge remains present throughout. Nowhere is this more evident than in the opening song, ‘All Fired Up’. A classic rocker with a driving riff, Dante’s distinctive voice and the first of many hooks that catch deep, it’s a shoo-in for their live shows that are in train to promote the album. Explained by the lead singer as “a nod to what we all went through during lockdown; it represents the pent-up frustrations we all had, and this is an artistic release of all that built up energy!”

“Hombres” contains a confidence that the band displayed in those early days when debut album “Swagger” hit the streets. Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, Gun have harnessed some of the intensity they displayed so long ago, but in a contemporary not retrospective manner. They have crafted a couple of anthems sure to get those audiences dancing. ‘Take Me Back Home’ brings the groove, a feel-good vibe that you can’t help but smile and singalong to, while there is a more retro groove to ‘Fake Life’, evidently an observation of the social media driven era we live in. 

Gun can do the sensitive stuff as well. ‘Falling’ sees Dante change tack, giving a superb vocal performance on the semi-ballad that comes in the right place, and reflects on those dark days of 2020. Guiliano is proud of the song. “I wrote it when I was feeling very sorry for myself. I think I was listening to ‘The Boys of Summer’ and some other Don Henley songs. I related to the melancholy, remembering when things were easier… happier. The moment I heard it I knew we had something special,” he says. “I couldn’t stop thinking about Johnny Cash and ‘Hurt’. I think we’re all proud of what we’ve done there”. It does have a horrible fade which marrs the end though. 

The band have called in a few favours to add some stunning elements to the album. There’s an edge of gospel to the chorus of ‘You Are What I Need’, which like several songs features Beverley Skeete (Elton John, Chaka Khan, Tom Jones, Johnny Cash), Mary Pearce (Primal Scream, Lionel Ritchie, Chaka Khan) and Sarah-Jane Skeete (Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Bill Wyman) of The Sisterhood on backing vocals. Dante is thrilled with the result. “It’s the best vocal I’ve ever committed to tape,” he says. “I’m really critical of my singing, I can always find fault in what I’ve done. But that song? I think my singing is the best it’s ever been”. [Apparently some of these tracks are due to form part of the soundtrack for “Drowned”, the new movie featuring Samuel L. Jackson – a true accolade for the band]. 

With a fine production thanks to Simon Bloor (Trevor Horn) and with mixing by Daryl Thorpe (Foo Fighters), “Hombres” is a highly polished album. And yet, there’s enough grit to keep it real. I’d say that the album tails slightly towards the end, but there is enough meat here to keep the attention fully focused. And even those songs that might not be quite as vibrant as the early bangers aren’t bad. ‘A Shift in time’ is a lighter aloft moment, ‘Coming Back to You’ hits the emotional parts, while “Hombres” finishes on a high with ‘Pride’. 

It may be a long time since Gun rubbed shoulders with those popstars in the top ten, but they still possess the desire and vibrance that keeps their passion ignited. “Hombres” is a fine record, and one that those who enjoy Classic Hard Rock should check out. 


TRACKLISTING

01. All Fired Up
02. Boys Don’t Cry
03. Take Me Back Home
04. Fake Life
05. Falling
06. You Are What I Need
07. Never Enough
08. Don’t Hide Your Fears Tonight
09. Lucky Guy
10. A Shift in Time
11. Coming Back to You (Bonus Track)
12. Wrong to be Right (Bonus Track)
13. Pride (Bonus Track)

LINE-UP
Dante Gizzi – Vocals
Guiliano ‘Jools’ Gizzi – Guitars
Paul McManus – Drums
Andy Carr – Bass
Ruaraidh ‘Roo’ McFarlane – Guitars

LINKS

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