(This review first appeared in issue 61 of Shindig! magazine.)
Wienerworld
CD
As the musical half of
one of the UK's most successful songwriting partnerships it's no
surprise the former Slade bassist's 2007 “midlife” album
displayed his prodigious talents, with Lea playing almost every
instrument on the record. For an album composed and recorded while
Lea undertook a psychology course, what could have been an indulgent
album, full of introspective navel-gazing, is actually a blast.
Despite the preoccupation with self-exploration the album is full of
brash and ballsy songs, with hooks and killer choruses aplenty. It
seems the man cannot help writing belting pop-rock tunes, and can
also knock out a pretty decent piano ballad ('Smile Of Elvis').
Reissued here with
extra tracks and a bonus disc of a rare 2002 gig performed with a
hastily assembled rhythm section “for the existential buzz”.
Tearing through an incendiary covers-heavy set, the self-confessed
“miserable one” from Slade sounds like he's having fun.
Revelatory and immensely enjoyable.
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