Pearl Handled Revolver - Tales You Lose (2025)

It’s a tough world out there. Especially if you are in a band that occupies the “bluesy classic rock” end of the spectrum.

Back in 2013 we reviewed PHR at Cambridge Rock Festival when Simon Dunkerley noted their similarity to another festival act The Temperance Movement. Well, it just so happens TTM are reforming after a five year hiatus which will increase the competition in an already overcrowded genre.

PHR have, perhaps surprisingly, been going for 16 years and they’ve been churning out EPs and albums ever since. The last album we reviewed came out over ten years ago when Pete Feenstra described “a unique blend of dark, layered, brooding psychedelic and goth tinged blues-rock … full of deeply woven textures, melodic sweeps and an intense wall of sound topped by the consistently rough-hewn vocals of lyricist Lee Vernon.” Since that time there has been a compilation of sorts – Psychedelic Attic – released in 2023.

Their opening statement is the ambitious 10 minute long ‘Black Rock’. It’s like Simple Minds meets the Ozrics with Lee Vernon’s vocal redolent of Jim Kerr. There is nice rhythmic interplay between organ player Simon Rinaldo (who has worked with Del Bromham’s Stray) and guitarist Andy Paris. The song develops into a psychedelic groove playout topped with Rinaldo’s Caravan-esque keys.

Elsewhere ‘Heart Of Gold’ and ‘Lightning’ evoke The Doors, ‘Gilding The Lily’, a late sixties Deep Purple-esque romp whilst ‘Space Invader’ (also to be released as a single) has the ever-present dark vibe satisfyingly propelled by Lucas Rinaldo’s bass. ‘Hammer’ could be Atomic Rooster’s bastard love-child. The album closes like it began with the ten-minute organ pummeled ‘Junkies’ .

Overall, there is a compelling and unashamedly retro groove permeating this album which will probably be best enjoyed in a sweaty club and hopefully following an affordable pint or three. Mind altering.