Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
The world runs on them both, a hidden clock ticking over and over again in our hearts and in the bills we have to pay. Money & Love, you can live without either but the fun of life is somewhat limited, it is incomplete and hardly worth a jot. We even wish that money was not important, that somehow we could be decent human beings and find a way to devise a system that did not reward some and punish others just for the family or circumstance they were born into.
Love though, love is everything, we are not soulless, we have the urge to hold someone close to us, to make the dark seem less frightening and without it, to know that we are truly alone, is to see that soul wither and fade away.
Bill Feehely’s Lucky Struck journey continues, the boundless joy he created, the introspection he sought in the previous album, comes round once more as Money & Love is seen as the next logical and affectionate step.
The album, which is produced by Greg Bieck, hosts an irresistible set of musicians within its groove, a group within the group ideal which sees Bill Feehely’s vocals take on extra meaning and gives the demand an edge that arguably is as mouth watering as it is compelling.
With Mike Payne, Steve Mackey, Wayne Killius, Carl Miner, Den Dugmore, Shaun Fichter, Mark Prentice, Dan Parks, Mike Durham, Max Abrams and Steve Patrick all contributing across the music with sincere vigour and Celeste Krenz, Greg Bieck, Michael Kelsh, Greg Barnhill, Jonell Mosser, Sarah West and Chris Roberts all making sure that the backing vocals on the tracks are enigmatic, powerful and bang on that elusive nail.
In tracks such as Don’t Hold Back On Me, Piece Of Ground, Hard Love, You Are The Lonesome and Kindness, Bill Feehely can be seen to take on the extra responsibility to make sure his songs are greeted with the tempting and persuasive manner that the song writer always wishes to achieve.
Money & Love, a huge step onwards, Lucky Struck was wonderful, this is breathtaking and cool.
Ian D. Hall