Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
In days when the abhorrence of misogynistic verbal sexual barbarity seems to be making a very unwelcome and unpleasant come back, Robin Beck and her latest album Underneath shows that no matter how some might try, you just cannot keep a good woman down.
The new offering by Robin Beck comes only a couple of short years after her last release, the fabulous The Great Escape, and if anything and perhaps with feminine foresight to surround herself with family and trusted new writers during the process of making Underneath, the album soars higher and rocks harder than almost anything during her career. No mean feat when you consider the amount of excellent songs she has produced in that time. The trouble is that even after The Great Escape, people this side of the Atlantic have largely forgotten about this very talented musician and songwriter, except in that powerhouse of music adoration Germany, for this Brooklyn woman whose voice is still as appealing and more than remarkable, it must be bone of contention that must be thrown to the wolves with this new release.
The album is a sumptuous affair, full of songs that thrill the soul to hear and crosses boundaries of age, gender and time. The sometimes fickle finger of general opinion, so easily swayed by what is new and fresh can be a burden that all artists have to deal with but sheer class always makes its way through the mire, no matter how think and arduous the journey and in the end the what is revealed is a shining beacon of hope to others to follow. Music listening and tastes may change, as it should, but the very good and exceptional will always be there to show a different way.
From the blistering start of Wrecking Ball in which Ms. Beck shows that none of that guile and disturbingly fine vocal talent ever went away. Through great tracks such as Ain’t That Just Like Love, the dramatic push of Catfight and heartfelt rock message of Check Your Attitude, Ms. Beck and her fellow musicians such as her dedicated husband James Christian bring out the very best in songs.
A true delight to have Ms. Beck back in the studio once more and Underneath is perhaps the crowning achievement of her life and career so far.
Ian D. Hall