Since its last return to business validated by "Wonder Days" in 2015, Thunder has been chaining discographic successes. This opus and its successor ("Rip It Up" - 2017) put the London quintet back at the top of the British hard rock scene, while "Please Remain Seated" (2019) proved that Danny Bowes and Luke Morley's gang was capable of taking risks by going out of its comfort zone. Recorded before the health crisis and having seen its release postponed because of this plague, "All The Right Noises", its thirteenth studio opus, finally lands on our playlists. It's funny to see how some of the lyrics can be interpreted through the prism of the current situation, even though they predate the crisis.
'Last One Out Turn Off The Lights', the first single that opens the hostilities with its raging and incendiary riff is the perfect symbol of this double reference to current events. Originally dealing with the Brexit, it can perfectly correspond to the situation the world is going through now. Its energy and nods to Led Zeppelin are unstoppable and show how the years seem to have no hold on the English legend. As a track with committed lyrics, it is accompanied here by a dark and heartbreaking 'St. George's Day' dealing with immigration and nationalism and by a 'Force Of Nature', a scathing hard rock that is a vision of the world that Donald Trump could have. To note also the powerful, heavy and anguishing 'Destruction' which deals with mental illness.
Overall lighter, the other tracks participate to the variety of this opus which nevertheless does not lack coherence. 'Going To Sin City', the second single, whose riff does not hesitate to make a nod to AC/DC's 'Sin City' ("Powerage" - 1978), benefits from the reinforcement of a brass section. You're Gonna Be My Girl' and 'She's A Millionairess' are more old school and give off a euphoric energy, while 'Young Man' is a nice power-ballad. Worthy heiress of 'Love Walked In' ("Backstreet Symphony" - 1990), it shows sensitivity and is illuminated by Danny Bowes' feeling vocals and by a majestic solo of Luke Morley. Finally, we will not forget to mention the folk-US 'The Smoking Gun' close to Bon Jovi with its solo in talk-box, and a 'Don't Forget To Live Before You Die' which succeeds in being at the same time heavy and groovy with its catchy refrain and an unstoppable rhythm section. Finally, 'Young Man' is majestic and almost epic with its effluvia worthy of "Laughing At Judgement Day" (1992) and a hammered chorus on its final.
No dead time to report on what is thus a new faultless from Thunder. Varied in its ambiences and in the approached themes, "All The Right Noises" is a new must in the discography of the English who seem to be like a good whisky which improves with the age. Without revolutionizing the genre, the quintet is nevertheless one of its most brilliant jewels that deserves the attention of the public.