Bad Touch - 'Kiss The Sky'

Bad Touch have delivered the Rock 'n' roll album of the year, without a doubt.

I know I shouldn't really show too much bias in a review, but I've absolutely loved Bad Touch since that first riff punched me in the face first time I saw them supporting Tyketto in Nottingham. That was back in 2014 when they were promoting their debut album 'Half Way Home' and they haven't put a foot wrong since, as a result their fourth album 'Kiss The Sky' could well be their best yet.

Full of groove-orientated, classic seventies-style Rock 'n' Roll swagger that's rooted in the Blues, the Norfolk-based quintet also possess a little Southern Rock influence that shimmies under the surface without becoming overprominent. Blessed with musical talent from the bottom up, beginning with the intricate basslines of Michael Bailey blending wonderfully with drummer (and backing vocalist extraordinaire) George Drewry, brilliant guitar interplay between rhythm man Daniel "Seeks" Seekings and the supremely talented Rob Glendinning on lead, while vocalist Stevie Westwood is the natural frontman with his powerful voice and breezy stage manner.



Kicking off with the slightly frantic 'Come A Little Closer', it's a bountiful assortment of Bluesy, riff-driven Rock 'n' Roll from beginning to end, be it the swaggering groove of the delightful first single 'Strut', 'Kiss The Sky' and 'Read All About It', the commerciality of 'Let Go' and 'Too Much Of A Good Thing', or the Southern-tinged ballad-ish numbers 'Can You Save Me' and 'Sun And The Moon', while they even throw a little Funk into 'I Get High' and 'Before I Die'. I would also implore you to get the CD version with the bonus track 'Something About Your Kiss', a tremendous slow-burner with more than a Fleetwood Mac vibe.

But they've also expanded their sound somewhat, with many songs adorned with discreet piano trickles (courtesy of King King/Sari Schorr keysman Bob Fridzema) or smooth female backing vocals, even interjecting a brass section on their rocked-up cover of Kiki Dee's 'I've Got The Music In Me' and embellishing the beautifully poignant ballad 'See You Again' with some delightful strings, escalating a lovely song into a truly stunning one. However, and most importantly, the entire caboodle is generously boosted with some of their biggest choruses and melodies to date

Expertly produced by Nick Brine at the legendary Rockfield studios, with 'Kiss The Sky' Bad Touch have delivered the Rock 'n' roll album of the year, without a doubt!

Ant Heeks

Bad Touch's new album "Kiss The Sky" is released by Marshall Records on June 19th. Pre-order the album from www.badtouchkissthesky.com

Photo by Will Ireland