Album Review - Thunder, Dopamine

British rock group Thunder has returned with a new album of sixteen excellent tracks spread across two CDs. With the band not being able to tour due to the pandemic a return to the recording studio has meant that the prolific group have been able to release two new albums in just over a year.

Rather than quantity over quality the listener will discover that Thunder are still at the top of their game on this enjoyable album.

The first CD sees the band sticking mostly to their usual style of classic rock with the vocals of Daniel Bowes at times replicating the same blues and rock style of Paul Rodgers when he was in Free.

Guitarist Luke Morley can always be relied upon to come up with a cutting edge guitar riff that is effortlessly demonstrated on opening track The Western Sky.

One Day We’ll Be Free Again could be a gospel song that has been given a rock treatment as Bowes sings “ We’ll be free again ‘neath a clear blue sky” on an uplifting track.

A glam rock influence lends itself to Black on a track that details the end of a relationship. One of the best tracks on the album, The Dead City, is certain to become a single at some point and a worthy addition to their live set. The song comes with a chorus that once heard is very hard to forget.

The second CD sees the band come out of their comfort zone though there is still plenty to keep the faithful pleased. Dancing In The Sunshine is the sort of good time track The Rolling Stones used to do in the late sixties, if you think of the Stones around their Brown Sugar period you would be on the right track.

Big Pink Supermoon comes with a laidback jazz influence with Thunder sounding invigorated and engaged on this sublime number.

Across The Nation deals with the misery of not being able to play any concerts for the last two years: "Been standing still for a year or more, like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, wish I could get back on the road and play” sings an emotive Bowes. You can bet the band will open up with the track when they next tour.

I Don’t Believe A Word follows the same lyrical content as one of Low Life In High Places dealing with the issue of not being able to trust authority.

Ending with No Smoke Without Fire, a Lou Reed baseline kicks off the track before the band conclude on a thrilling end to what is a gripping and competent rock album.

The Thunder still roars.