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BAILEY
Long Way Down

Frontiers (2014)
Rating: 8/10

Long Way Down is the debut solo album from Three Lions frontman Nigel Bailey. I was extremely impressed by the UK band’s self-titled 2014 debut platter, and it’s no surprise that Bailey maintains that soulful blues rock style here.

For me, the main difference between Long Way Down and the Three Lions debut is the darker edge which some of the tracks on this opus adopt. For instance, although ‘Bad Reputation’ has that interesting blend of funkier groove and blues, lyrically it concerns the shadier side of an individual who to everyone around him appears as a sincere figure. And this is reflected in the ballsy chorus which, in contrast, almost goes against the tone of the lyric via that funky strut of bubbling bass and even an uprising horn section.

For a more classic rock approach one can slip into the steady melody of opener ‘Feed The Flames’ which comes with an appealing chorus and benefits from the excellent production of Alessandro Del Vecchio, who also plays keyboards on the album.

For me though, these tracks – although solid to their core – are commonplace amongst the likes of ‘In The Name Of The King’, which has an absolutely brilliant fizzing guitar sound while again adopting that darker edge throughout. Bailey’s vocals come to the fore with this one, his voice booming out like peals of thunder against Alessandro Mori’s commanding percussion.

Another personal favourite is the title track, which tells the story of a female starlet who has everything in life only to suffer a dramatic, painful fall, and again it boasts those ascending vocals to a backdrop of wholesome rhythms. Before you start thinking it’s all doom and gloom subject-wise mind, I suggest you flick on the anthemic ‘Stay’ which is a classic love song boasting soul and speaks of a man who so desperately wants to fix the problems within his relationship.

This album has been in the making since 2011 and it’s one that takes the formulas which made Three Lions’ debut so slick, but adds just a dash of extra heaviness which can be heard in those aforementioned tracks. For some lively, yet subtle changes though, then it’s worth checking into the cosier strums of ‘Somewhere In Oslo’ and the equally sprightful ‘Ticket To Yesterday’ with its bubblegum rock quality.

Long Way Down has plenty of variation within its 11 tracks and enough pure rock entertainment to keep one entertained throughout. For me, the album’s strength is its driving numbers such as the smoking ‘Dirty Angel’, but the contrasts of styles and subjects mean that tracks such as ‘Love Falls Down’ are equally delightful. This is classy, classic rock from a real British talent and Nigel Bailey should be proud of this debut offering.

Neil Arnold

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