One year on from the admirable 'Royal Tea', the indefatigable 'Joe Bonamassa' comes out with a new album and, with each release of a new baby from the prolific American singer and guitarist, we're always amazed at the remarkable quality of each track because, not only, is a timeless and all-round artist with an admirable talent of melodist, but he is also an outstanding performer who knows how to surround himself with top-class artists to transcend all his compositions. And if I had to describe 'Time Clocks' succinctly, I would simply say that, if it had been released in the 70s, it would now be a blues/rock anthology record.
After the short instrumental 'Pilgrimage' in which we are already glued to the few guitar notes of Joe, 'Notches' (see the video here) kicks in with its rhythm that reminds us of the best of 'Led Zeppelin' and sounds that remind us of the best of 'Deep Purple', all wrapped up in timeless blues/rock, and then, 'The Heart That Never Waits' (see the video here) is a beautiful classic blues with everything you could possibly want in this kind of track, a completely addictive rhythmic pattern that gets the headbanging machine going, admirable guitar accompaniment (close your eyes during the solo and you'll be completely transported), and backing vocals that echo Joe's vocals beautifully. With the album's eponymous track (see video above), we are at the firmament of a melancholy that sweeps everything along and is filled with an intense emotion that overwhelms you on the final guitar solo to make you cry with happiness, then, change of scene with 'Questions And Answers' that takes us into a kind of exalted tango supported by a marked rhythmic and 'Mind's Eye' still raises the emotional cursor with a magnificent ballad in which we are rocked by a new memorable melody. This is followed by the more rocking 'Curtain Fall', which is a sort of procession accentuated by a percussive rhythmic pattern that may recall the atmosphere of 'Kashmir' from 'Led Zeppelin' (you'll admit, there are worse references!), and then, the more measured 'The Loyal Kind' is a remarkable melodic mid-tempo in the great tradition of 70s rock. And to finish the album, there are still two memorable tracks with, first of all, a catchy 'Hanging On A Loser' which flirts with gospel, the choirs being again remarkable and finally 'Known Unknowns' which offers us a last blues with a good place for two guitar solos filled with an unparalleled feeling, the final being made of a 'real ending' as in any good concert reminding us that 'Joe Bonamassa' is first of all a stage artist.
In summary, no need to draw you a picture, this is still an album to mark with a white stone that should make happy not only among fans of the American but also among all those who love good blues/rock through the ages because the 10 compositions are varied and wide in terms of influences : one of the must-have of the year 2021 that, given the year of quality will be, for me, a contender for the podium...
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