It is great nowadays, where we are overwhelmed by the rapacity, the sensationalism, when nothing takes on value and the shit, which inevitably floats, to know that there is still quality and some consistency in our favourite music. I’d call it “a safe bet”, knowing that you will listen something good from a band and that you won’t be disappointed by their work. And the above is especially valuable when the band or artist is new.
So, pressing “play” to listen to the latest album from Northern Irish band Maverick, I knew what to expect and I was looking forward to it! Pure, genuine, fresh hard rock in the band’s style. For those who don’t know, we can describe it as a mix of American hard rock like good old Skid Row, Guns’n’Roses, Shark Island, under the gaze and the youthful enthusiasm of fans who didn’t catch all that in its glory days, but who dig it, have experienced it in their own way and filtered it through their own senses.
It’s also worth mentioning that we’re not talking about another sugar-coated plastic lifeless emulation of the sound of yesteryear, but an organic, equally chunky, modern evolution of sound produced in 2024. Their big gun is Dave Balfour, with his lion-like roar that many would like to have in their band, and typically once again the gang vocals that are a key element to the band’s identity. We must also praise the excellent guitar work from both Ryan Balfour and Ric Cardwell.
The highlights follow one after the other… “Hideaway”, “Evenfall”, “Sweet Surrender”, “Daywalker” on an album that should be already added to the “best of the year”.
