Ian Siegal - All The Rage (2018)

It's been six years since multi-award winner Ian Siegal last released a studio album with a band. The intervening years have been busy with solo projects and live recordings. Now he's back with a collection of new songs that are classic Siegal - full of the dark and light, clever word play and rough-hewn voicebox he is known for. All The Rage picks up from his previous MOJO Blues Albums of the Year and continues his exploration of Americana - ranging from several shades of gritty blues to countrified ballads, tex-mex flavours and classic soul. The 'Rage' of the album title refers to Siegal's discontent at world politics. While far from a political protest album some of the songs reflect his anger and fear at world events.


'There aren't many reasons to salute President Trump, but at least his hateful reign has pushed Britain's most fascinating bluesman back into the studio after three live albums. Ian Siegal's first all-original set since 2012's much-decorated Candy Store Kid, All The Rage is an album of two halves, both excellent. The four songs written solo by the bandleader were 'born of concern and fear', and you can hear it, from the ominous drum tattoo of Eagle Vulture to the Latin-themed Ain't You Great? ('They want to kill your neighbours, they're gonna eat their brains.') Elsewhere, his collaboration with other writers prevents All The Rage from banging on. Sweet Souvenir, written with producer Jimbo Mathus, is heavenly vintage soul, framed as a conversation with the barman, furnished with a drop-to-your-knees improvised guitar break. Lighter still is Sailor Town, its bob-and-weave hook carrying Siegal's flippant snapshot of a roughneck waterfront where 'some of my friends got locked up, most the girls got knocked up.' All The Rage is an emphatic return' - 8/10, Classic Rock, March 2018