Hugh Cornwell strums with precision and care. Every note seems meticulously chosen, and is adeptly performed. Even at a quick tempo, Cornwell’s talents sound honed and expert. His voice (a happy surprise) is still very clean and strong as ever. Long gone is the time of the gravel-voiced, snarling post-punk rocker, but Cornwell’s maturation in voice and style are, inexplicably, still quality rock, even in its subdued and relatively bare tones. Cornwell always had that certain something, in his talent as a performer and songwriter, which, even after over thirty years, has not waned in the slightest. These are the marks of a seasoned and truly talented musician.

In case you didn’t know, Hugh Cornwell is the former lead guitarist/vocalist/songwriter for the UK band, The Stranglers. Since his departure from the post-punk-turned-new-wave group in 1990, Cornwell has recorded and performed songs from over a dozen records created throughout his solo career. While Cornwell still performs the old songs from his time in The Stranglers, he has been able to prove himself to be a gifted solo artist.

Hoover Dam, his latest release, is a collection of simple and pure rock. There are several gems on this album; “Delightful Nightmare” “Beat Of My Heart”, and “Philip K. Ridiculous” (a catchy and addictive instrumental track) are particularly noteworthy tracks. This reviewer’s clear favourite is “The Pleasure Of Your Company”, a slow, sweet ballad that calls out the ever-enduring youthful quality in Cornwell’s voice.

My only negative criticism concerning this album is with one track: “Wrong Side of the Tracks”.  Nice as it is, the songs sounds an awful lot like Jimi Hendrix’s “Crosstown Traffic” from his 1968 record Electric Ladyland. However, more likely than not, Cornwell has created a tribute, and not a rip-off.

In June of last year, Hugh placed the entirety of the album online as a free download. You can still access it here:  http://www.hooverdamdownload.com/.



Track Listing:

Please Don’t Put Me On A Slow Boat To Trowbridge
Going To The City
Delightful Nightmare
Within You Or Without You
Rain On The River
Beat Of My Heart
Philip K. Ridiculous
The Pleasure Of Your Company
Wrong Side Of The Tracks
Banging On At The Same Old Beat