Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
For too long we have been sold a consistent lie that once we pass through the centre of Hell, the light shines brighter because you can see the end, and your saving grace in sight; if only that were true, if only the dying of the storm didn’t have a sting in its tail, if the tornado of souls that crashed into the mind at the last gust of wind, then perhaps we would find that society in general would be more considerate, more understanding of the cause and effect of unwarranted greed and the nature of want.
There is a Tail End Of A Hurricane though that is just as enjoyable, just as fulfilling to be immersed in from the very start as riding a giant speeding rollercoaster whilst on holiday. For all the fun of the fair is provided by Rucker Diablo and their unrelenting, twisting, turning, storm inducing new album, and it is one that sees the disappointment of our collective ghosts in the last year evaporate, not disappear completely, but begin to fade out and wave its last farewell as the experience on offer by the band grabs the tails of the listener and pulls them to a hopeful and well deserved musical climax in 2021.
To take the Tail End Of A Hurricane and make it twist to your own will, that it is a definition of control and strength, and it is one that Rucker Diablo shows with resilience and dramatic quality, the Punk heart inside the rebellious rocker, the shades of every denim clad musician strolling through the hurricane as if it was just a stiff breeze they were facing down, the epitome of cool, the beauty of being driven to survive.
It is impossible to punch the wind, but you can give it a good hard smack in retaliation, and of you can get your blow in first, then the eye of the storm will seem as peaceful as the rest of life should be. Across tracks such as I Am Still Alive, Don’t Hold On To Hate, the incredible and forthright observations in Insects, The Trade and Woodstock To Vietnam, Tom Harte, Simon Haddock, Jim McGuruk and Terry Crawford have caught the moment with all hands and spun the beast around, counter acting the damage the wind seeks, and instead creating a funnel of persevering and endeavouring music.
A refusal to be cowed by any storm, Rucker Diablo close the book on all that stopped the world from spinning passionately during 2020 and give as good as they endured back to the fates and the twisted gods who sent the tempest to subdue.
Rucker Diablo release Tail End Of A Hurricane on May 7th.
Ian D. Hall