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<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nChannelling the flamboyancy of Bowie and Bolan, the rock n\u2019 roll swagger of Led Zep, and even hints and nods to more modern Brit Pop influences, that debut was a pre-digital age tour-de-force of rock power and a statement of intent from an artist who is here to take over the world. Hey, wouldn\u2019t it be great if he released a cool live album like all his heroes did back in the 70\u2019s? If only he could show the world how to channel the rock power of The Stooges, Led Zep and T Rex\u2026 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cRock n Roll Sword Fight was recorded absolutely live in the USA\u201d it says in the press blurb, and I absolutely believe it. A ten-track affair taken from several gigs. Recorded at Carnegie Hall (the Art Centre in West Virginia, not the famous concert Hall in New York), The Basement East, Nashville and the Bonnaroo Music Festival, this album is raw, unadulterated and in yer face! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the crowd cheer fades in and a bass riff rumbles, the band kick straight into \u2018Cheap High\u2019, a choppy, low slung riff and Ziggy Stardust wail from our illustrious frontman and we are off and running. This is how a live album should sound, I want to feel the sweat on my brow, the guitars reverberating in my ears and the electricity in the atmosphere. The band blast in to \u2018Tongue Tied\u2019, that signature 70\u2019s glam rock stomp is created, there\u2019s a sleazy swagger that owes as much to Jack White and The Black Keys as it does to 70\u2019s glam rock. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With a singer who looks like Mick Ronson meets Hedwig and wears platform boots and satin catsuits in 2024, I can only applaud the return of glamour to rock n\u2019 roll. And when you have songs as good as \u2018Fast Love\u2018 and \u2018Godhead\u2019 in your repertoire, then I don\u2019t know how Gyasi can really fail. Close your eyes and you can just imagine the jaws dropping around you as the crowd witness this skinny-framed, satin-wearing dude, ripping on a Les Paul and showing them how rock n\u2019 roll should be delivered. The aforementioned \u2018Godhead\u2019 sounds killer here. The guitars are raw and in your face, the vocals delivered with intent. The band sounds on fire.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turn the record over and side 2 kicks off with the recent single \u2018Baby Blue\u2019, a killer hook and a familiar riff that both reek of T Rexstacy., and that ain\u2019t a bad place to be. \u2018Sword Fight\u2019 is as raw as you like, as our hero stretches his lungs over fuzzy, distorted riffs and pummelling bass. \u2018Kiss Kiss\u2019 brings boogie-woogie to the party and everyone is dancing by now. Licks are peeled off like the ghost of Johnny Thunders has entered the room, and c\u2019mon\u2026that hook is sublime, right?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They end with \u2018All Messed Up\u2019 which is jammed out as an extended medley with a bit of Lou Reed and The Doors thrown in for good measure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Live albums can be hit & miss affairs. The intention should be to capture the feel and energy of the band in a live environment, maybe give the listener a glimpse of what it\u2019s like to see the band live. Kiss\u2019 \u2018Alive\u2019, Hanoi\u2019s \u2018All Those Wasted Years\u2019 and Ramones \u2018It\u2019s Alive\u2019, those are the benchmarks. And while Gyasi has a long way to go before he hits that legendary status, \u2018Rock n\u2019 Roll Sword Fight\u2019 is one of those live albums that captures lightning in a bottle. A band on fire, who sound tight and energised, but still raw and punky, and more importantly they have the songs to match.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is one that is gonna get played a lot on my stereo, that\u2019s a given. And it only makes me wanna see Gyasi live even more, The UK is waiting.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n