Black Country Communion, featuring bassist and singer Glenn Hughes, drummer Jason Bonham, keyboardist Derek Sherinian and guitarist and singer Joe Bonamassa, are back for thirds with a 11-song disc called Afterglow. Recent speculation is brewing that this could very well be the last we hear from this particular foursome. A few spins in and you’ll be scratching your head in confusion as to why.
Like the previous two, Afterglow was produced by Kevin Shirley, the man more or less responsible for the band coming together after catching Hughes and Bonamassa jam onstage. Adding Bonham and Sherinian sweetened the deal. Recalling the era of classic rock, BCC is the pride and joy of Glenn Hughes, who has really been pushing the band ahead. So much so, that apparently Bonamassa, who maintains a fairly prolific career of his own, has become somewhat annoyed and pulled out of the group’s first and only scheduled concert of 2013. Fortunately, his performance on Afterglow is top-notch.
For a third album, Afterglow shows a great maturity in the choice of material and the chemistry between the players. “Big Train” catapults the whole thing in your face and “This Is Your Time,” with music written by Bonham, celebrates your arrival. Bonamassa and Sherinian keep it tight and heavy on “Midnight Sun” as Hughes bellows out the verses over a crackling fire of Who-like chord changes. When you hear the two trade vocals on “Cry Freedom,” not only is the blend easy on the ears, but slightly reminiscent of the kind of call-and-response you’d hear from classic 70s bands like Humble Pie and ZZ Top.
The title track is a unique departure, mid-paced and Zeppelinesque in its attack. Actually, “Dandelion” and the album’s final song, “Crawl,” both have a very Zeppelin-like feel until Bonamassa takes the lead and brings the tunes up to 21st century expectations. Of course, having Bonham keeping the beat, which he does brilliantly, might have something to do with it. Sherinian ties the whole thing together, soloing here and there, but never intrusive to the sharp edge of the other three. Afterglow. Once and for all, that Black Country Communion is a real band capable of so much more should they chose to continue. Conflicting schedules aside, it would be a damn shame if Afterglow, arguably the best album of the bunch, ends up being their last.
~ Shawn Perry
