On this, their seventh album, Cast finds the missing link between John Power’s time with legendary outfit The La’s and their seminal breakthrough album All Change. To be a significant force in one influential band is something to behold. To say that you’ve been a player in two masterful acts is a claim very, very few people can make. What makes John Power’s writing and delivery so special is the consistency, love, light, and way his words unite people. On “Love Is The Call”, we get all this and more in what could be his finest work to date.
There’s a real resurgence currently running through bands that began way back when. The likes of Shed Seven finally having a number one album, Kula Shaker returning and receiving rave reviews, Pulp and Blur selling out stadiums, and Liam Gallagher teaming up with the God of the times John Squire, with this new record, it is clear to me that Cast have a great chance of joining their peers in success some thirty years down the track.
That intent is felt from the off with the quite remarkable opening track ‘Bluebird’ Whilst it might be short, it is certainly mighty, a mix of Bowie-esque brilliance and George Harrison harmonies; the song instantly draws you in and makes you yearn for more. It has a 70’s heartbeat with a magical tone running through it.
The record feels fresh, exciting and driven; it’s the album Cast was born to record. “Forever And A Day” chimes in with real intent. A song about “running around on empty dreams” is a call to arms with a signature riff that is bound to take off when the band performs live. This feels like a huge breath of fresh air, a rock n roll anthem born to be sung along in stadiums, in pubs, with one arm around your best friend and a beer in hand. Joyous.
“Rain That Falls” has a heady, hazy mod feel. It’s a foot-stomping, grooving menace of a tune that intertwines glorious vocals with a key change that lands the song gently after being launched into the stratosphere. There’s a sea shanty feel with a real Stones and blues groove floating along to Liverpool Bay. It flips the song 360 brilliantly with a true nod to Power’s Liverpudlian and Irish roots.
“Far Away” bounces along with a dreamlike chorus that will lift and elevate any mood; Power’s vocals have always impressed, but on Love Is The Call, he sounds bigger and better than ever. As does guitarist Liam “Skin” Tyson, whose playing sounds revitalised and highly energic; he sounds loose yet tight, free and precise and drives the album along at breakneck, rock n’ roll speed.
“Love You Like I Do” is a delicious slice of psychedelic pop with drummer Keith O’Neill keeping a timely beat over backwards vocals and more delicate, delightful harmonies. The production of this album is purposefully raw. Cast recorded with Grammy award-winning Youth in his Space Mountain studio in Granada, Spain, keeping the instruments minimal and lo-fi, the album feels more earnest and rock n roll for it. It sounds like a band of brothers who were meant to record together.
“I Have Been Waiting” and “Look Around” are fierce, classic Cast moments. Driven by intent with powerful classic hooks and melodies, the enthusiasm and excitement shine through, and the band sounds completely revitalised throughout the record, but especially in the latter moments, such as these tracks. “Time Is Like A River” evokes memories of latter-day Beatles and early Cast, especially moments from Mother Nature Calls, which remains an underrated gem in the discography.
“Tomorrow Calls My Name” closes the record; it is beautifully bookended by “Bluebird” The song, destined to become a fan favourite, is an epic journey of love, creativity, energy and belief ‘You know it’s gonna be alright’ claims Power and you absolutely believe him, you’ll find yourself singing the chorus for days in end, it’ll get under your skin and into your heart. It truly is the perfect end to a perfect record.
Love Is The Call is the sound of a band reborn; it feels like a debut record, a new beginning; very few artists can say that this far into their career; for Cast, however, they are doing more than Alright.
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