CD: “Keep The Fire Burning” by Mikey Ball & The Company
Dorset’s Mikey Ball is one of the nicest and most supportive guys on the local music scene. He has seemingly been treading the boards of grassroots music venues for as long as I can remember, and remarkably, he doesn’t appear to have aged a day. Perhaps he’s the local rock ’n’ roll Peter Pan — although I suspect it may have something to do with his day job at the brewery!
Along with his band The Company, Mikey is preparing to unleash a brand-new seven-track album, Keep The Fire Burning, officially released at a special show at The Anvil on 26th September.
Over the past few years, Mike Ball & The Company have built a formidable reputation on the road, sharing stages with the likes of These Wicked Rivers, Hot One Two, Hearts & Hand Grenades and many more. They have also appeared at a host of festivals including Call of the Wild, HRH Great Yarmouth, Station 18, Loverocks, Crazy Cowboy and Nozfest. Their recent appearance at Nozfest was a particular standout, providing yet more evidence that this is a band increasingly comfortable in front of a festival Crowd.
Mikey explains that the new record represents something of a shift in perspective. While the band’s earlier work often leaned towards escapism and open-road optimism, the new material turns its attention towards the pressures and frustrations of modern life, without ever allowing itself to disappear into cynicism.
There is an honesty to the optimism running through Keep The Fire Burning. The songs acknowledge the frustrations of modern life without allowing them to define the story, exploring uncertainty, routine and the noise of contemporary living while repeatedly returning to themes of resilience, connection and perspective.
The album’s lead single, ‘Warning Signs’, perfectly reflects that approach, combining the band’s melodic rock sound with a more reflective look at the world around them. Musically, the band sound more expansive and assured than ever, drawing influence from the likes of Tom Petty, Thin Lizzy and Bruce Springsteen. Strong guitar interplay, melodic focus and a performance-first attitude define the record, capturing much of the energy and immediacy that has made their live shows so enjoyable.
The band have undergone various line-up changes over the years, but Mikey now goes into battle with three trusted friends, each bringing their own considerable skills to his creations. Dom Griffiths handles rhythm guitar and backing vocals, while the consequential rhythm section is supplied by Sam Hurst on drums and Gerard Guminski on bass.
The album opens with the aforementioned ‘Warning Signs’, a typically powerful opener with plenty to enjoy. Mikey’s sultry, alluring vocal sits comfortably over some excellent instrumentation, with the four musicians working together like a well-oiled machine. The track has been a staple of the band’s live set for almost a year now and has certainly developed into a firm live favourite.
Next up is ‘Pressure’, driven by some wonderfully propulsive rhythms and featuring a beautifully fluid guitar solo. This makes way for ‘Red Shoes’, where Mikey really gets to show off his storytelling abilities. The song meanders along beautifully, carrying something of the feel of a tune that New Jersey’s Jon Bon Jovi might have turned his hand to.
‘No Time To Lose’ brings a firm Americana feel to proceedings, bolstered by some excellent guitar work and yet more inventive rhythms that really nourish these songs. It is becoming increasingly clear that The Company know exactly how to create a song that feels both familiar and fresh.
Things take quite a different turn with ‘Long Gone Love’, which finds Mikey looking over his shoulder at what could have been. The song features a fine, radio-friendly chorus, with Mikey showing no let-up in his dynamic vocal performance. We are also treated to another excellent guitar solo, this time oozing with emotive flair.
‘Queen of Hearts’ is by far my favourite of the collection, as we are treated to a slower, stripped-back classic. Mikey and the band take their seats around a roaring fire and deliver what could well be one of their best songs to date.
With the acoustic guitar gently flowing melodically in the background, we are treated to heartfelt vocals that reveal a deeper emotional side, accompanied by powerful lyrics that send a genuine chill down the soul. It is one of those moments where everything is stripped away and the song is allowed to do the talking — and it works beautifully.
For the final number, ‘Patron Saint Of The Broken Hearted’, we return to the familiar electric set-up, with the twin guitars blazing and the rhythm section rumbling infectiously underneath. There’s yet another resourceful guitar solo, along with the added bonus of a rare bass solo, bringing the album to a thrilling conclusion.
Keep The Fire Burning feels like a natural progression for Mike Ball & The Company. There is still plenty of the melodic, guitar-driven rock that has become their trademark, but there is also a greater sense of maturity and reflection running through these seven tracks.
Most importantly, though, this is a record that sounds like it belongs to a band that genuinely enjoys playing together. And having watched Mikey tread the boards around the local scene for so many years, it’s bloody lovely to see him still doing exactly what he loves — and doing it with a huge smile on his face.
Keep The Fire Burning indeed.
Track listing
Warning Signs
Pressure
Red Shoes
No Time To Lose
Long Gone Love
Queen Of Hearts
Patron Saint Of The Broken Hearted.
Mikey Ball & The Company are
Mikey Ball (Vocals, Lead Guitar)
Dom Griffiths (Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals)
Gerard Guminski (Bass)
Sam Hurst (Drums, Backing Vocals)
Links
https://www.facebook.com/mikeyballandthecompany
https://www.instagram.com/_mikeyballandthecompany
https://www.youtube.com/@mikeyballthecompany4132
Article By David Chinery (Chinners)
