Coloursound ‘Coloursound II’ Review: musical superduo of The Alarm’s Mike Peters and The Cult’s Billy Duffy bring the goods on first album since 1999 debut.
Coloursound were an under-the-radar ‘super group’ that never got their full due.
That’s largely because the duo, comprised of The Alarm frontman Mike Peters and The Cult lead guitarist Billy Duffy only lasted a couple of years, disbanding shortly after releasing their 1999 debut album, with both musicians returning to their former bands, leaving the album as a beloved curiosity for diehard fans of both acts.
But those fans have new reason to rejoice, as the duo are back, with Coloursound II (out July 16th, click here to pre-order in a variety of formats).
Duffy explained the rekindled partnership in a press release, stating “2019 felt like the right time to do something together as Coloursound. What neither of us saw coming was the pandemic and how this music would help us both through the challenges of Lockdown”.
“I had this vision to create a really simple, direct rock record” he continued, “A record that allowed both Mike and I to do what we do best and be heard for who we are…I had a belief that a record recorded and delivered in this manner, would cut through and sound as contemporary as anything out there. We have gathered so much experience between us, that I felt we could be totally honest in our musicianship and deliver a record that captured the essence of our relationship.”
Peters added that “As soon as I opened Billy’s email and heard that first classic riff of his, I knew the calling of Coloursøund had to be answered…This is not The Cult, nor is it The Alarm. This is Coloursøund – alive because it exists. Here and now because we have made it so, and this is the time to set it free.”
And it’s this matter-of-fact approach that makes the long-awaited release such a pleasure; trimmed of fat, lean and mean, it’s a perfectly distilled rock record capturing both of their personalities.
This is evidenced in the opening track and lead single Paradise (Free People) that begins with picked acoustic guitar before exploding into a She Sells Sanctuary-esque riff and Peters’ sharp, serrated vocals. Its an instant earworm that is meant to be cranked up loud.
Lightning Strike keeps the momentum going, a classic rock-tinged bruiser with Peters’ howling “this city’s gonna burn tonight from a lightning strike” over Duffy’s sinewy riff and blistering accents.
The group take a nod to their post-punk roots on the sinister, churning Revelation, with Peters offering a call-to-arms to act before ecological collapse takes us into oblivion, while the AC/DC’ish Addiction is a series of sonic peaks and valleys, with Peters’ proclaiming “the only way is all the way” during the anthemic chorus.
Why is a mid-tempo number with a soaring chorus and multi tracked vocals, that features Peter’s at his sermonizing best, while The Other Side plays it fast and loose, with glorious sandpaper riffing and hooks to spare.
After the swampy guitar and garage rock vibe of Start A Fire, following track Eye For An Eye goes for the jugular, with a riff in the vein of Whole Lotta Love that makes for the heaviest track on the album, with Peters expertly wailing away before Duffy punctuates the atmosphere with a stinging solo.
The band switch gears for album closer Mourning Call, a spacey number recalling classic 60’s psychedelia mixed with modern synth textures, dub bass and Duffy’s oceanic tremolo guitar lines. Peters vocals are treated with backwards delay adding to the lush atmospherics, which reverberate throughout.
At 10 tracks, Coloursound II never overstays its welcome, and is more than worth the wait. Fingers crossed for some live dates, and hopefully for more new Coloursound music in the future–but fingers crossed we won’t have to wait nearly 22 years for the next one.