search
date/time
Yorkshire Times
A Voice of the Free Press
frontpagebusinessartscarslifestylefamilytravelsportsscitechnaturefictionCartoons
Graham Clark
Music Features Writer
@Maxximum23Clark
2:11 PM 3rd June 2020
arts

Album Review: FM - Synchronised (Frontiers)

 
If you ever saw rock tours in the mid 80's by bands such as Bon Jovi, Meatloaf, Status Quo or Whitesnake then chances are you have probably seen melodic rock outfit FM. The group were regulars on the stages of Yorkshire and Lancashire back in the day.

FM supported all these big names and more but sadly never became as big as the acts they accompanied on tour. The band even had at the time a keyboard player, Didge Digital who came from Yorkshire!

With all the years of touring the British band built up a sizeable following but eventually the group, who deserved to be more successful then they were, broke up. After a reunion gig in 2007 they reformed due to the overwhelming response and went on to record their 6th album - now their 12th album has been released.

The colourful suits that drummer Pete Jupp used to wear have long gone but the melodic rock songs remain all built around the soulful voice of lead singer Steve Overland. In fact one of the band's best remembered songs is their cover of the Marvin Gaye classic "Heard It Through The Grapevine". Whilst the track may be legendary it always seemed inconceivable that some of their own songs were not more popular beyond their core fanbase.

They must be doing something right as the band have held on to a loyal following who will rightly enjoy this great return.

The title track of the album, Synchronised opens up the album. It does offer a throwback to the 80's though equally the track could even be Robert Palmer around his Addicted To Love period or even a Tina Turner song from her late 80's comeback (an act FM supported). The lyric about "fitting together as we are two of a kind" might sound corny from anyone else, but it is actually about the bond the band have between themselves and their fans. If you get the chance to see one of their live shows you will see what I mean.

Superstar has a hint of The Eagles, albeit a rocker hint. Like the majority of the songs on the album the middle eight of the track has the obligatory guitar solo.

Best of Times would sound perfect on Radio 2 on this punchy commercial cut that would probably appeal way beyond their fans - if they got the opportunity to hear it. If Sheffield born Paul Carrack had covered the track it would end up on the Ken Bruce show.

Ghosts of You and I sees a more reflective mode on a ballad whilst Broken opens with a keyboard riff that is just as good as heard on The Weekends recent Number 1 hit. The song is as good as anything the band have recorded over their career with the twin guitars harking back to classic Thin Lizzy.

Walk Through Fire probably goes a little too close to Mr Misters worldwide hit Broken Wings on the opening bars - you have to pinch yourself that you are not back in 1985 again.

Ready For Me is built around a hook laden guitar riff, the rest of the world might not be ready for FM but those who enjoy timeless melodic rock certainly are. As the track closes the album it's enough to want you to dig out your old denim jacket again.

The album might not be fashionable but FM were never about fitting in. The curious should join the journey now but it's good to report that FM are still in the driving seat.

I rate the album 3 out of 5.