In summary:
Re-working your classic material is never an easy feat, especially when you’ve changed singer. Gun have not only succeeded in doing this, but they’ve actually improved several of those tracks in the process.
The Calton Songs receives 8/11.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★★
It’s fair to say the 2020 lockdown came at the worst possible time for Scottish rockers Gun.
After achieving long overdue chart success with 2017s stunning Favourite Pleasures (their first Top 20 hit since 1994s Swagger) the band looked set to recapture their seat at the top table of UK rock, only to have those plans scuppered by the pandemic.
The cancellation of their new album and it’s accompanying tour caused the Glaswegian giants to retreat inwardly, and several members of the band have since spoken candidly about their lockdown-related mental health struggles.
The Calton Songs was the catalyst to get them back in the studio.
An album consisting of re-worked acoustic versions of their biggest hits, it gave Gun the opportunity to blow off the cobwebs and unleash their frustrations – and for the most part it’s awesome! Their energy and enjoyment is palpably audible in these recordings, and they offer up some unique takes on tracks which, although they sounded fine in their original format, actually sound better this way round.
Frontman Dante Gizzi’s drive to prove himself against the old material also shines through.
Gizzi played bass and sang backing vocals during the band’s 80s/90s run, only stepping up to lead vocals when original frontman Mark Rankin decided not to be part of their 2010 reunion. He brings a very different vocal style to his predecessor, his high pitched raspy vocals more akin to Axl Rose than the low register of Rankin.
It’s a switch of styles which shouldn’t work, but it really does.
Gizzi oozes the confidence of a man who has performed these tracks live for many years, and one listen the the way he bends his voice around the line “I don’t care about money” on Higher Ground will do much to allay any fears about whether he could step into Rankin’s shoes on the old tracks.
The album is opened by Coming Home, a top tier rocker which was strangely cut from their 1989 debut album. It’s vastly superior in this format and I expect this version will become one of their live favourites. Other standout moments include new takes on Money (Everybody Loves Her), Inside Out, and Crazy You, a track which belonged to 1997’s disastrous 0141 632 6326 album. It should have been a chart hit for Gun back then, but it sounds even better now.
Surprisingly, the album highlight is Don’t Say It’s Over. I say surprisingly because the original version rides on the back of what is possibly Gun’s best ever guitar riff, and they’ve somehow managed to re-work the musical arrangement without it. In doing so, it has transitioned from a killer rock radio hit to a haunting love song, and it sounds unbelievably good.
All in all, The Calton Songs is a fine collection of songs which gave Gun the stepping stone they needed to make more music. Perhaps the biggest compliment I can give it is to say that if you’re a new fan of the band who is hearing these versions before the originals, there’s a high chance you’ll actually prefer many of them.
Russ’ re-worked playlist:
Maybe it’s the autism in me, but I’ve always been good at re-working album playlists to create a superior listening experience. What can I say? Superman got laser eyes, and I got this! So here’s how you should listen to Gun: The Calton Songs (2022) for maximum effectiveness:
- Coming Home 2022 (3:59) ★
- Don’t Say It’s Over 2022 (3:54) ★
- Money (Everybody Loves Her) 2022 (4:01)
- Steal Your Fire (4:59)
- Word Up 2022 (feat. The Sisterhood) (3:53)
- Crazy You 2022 (3:50)
- Higher Ground 2022 (feat. The Sisterhood) (4:55)
- Taking On The World 2022 (5:20)
- Inside Out 2022 (4:16) ★
- Better Days 2022 (3:28)
- Shame On You 2022 (5:01)
- Frantic 2022 (3:57)
- Watching The World Go By 2022 (5:06)
- Backstreet Brothers 2022 (3:17)
In summary:
Re-working your classic material is never an easy feat, especially when you’ve changed singer. Gun have not only succeeded in doing this, but they’ve actually improved several of those tracks in the process.
The Calton Songs receives 8/11.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
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