aaamusic | On 02, Oct 2012

‘Back In The Room’ is the new solo album from Bruce Foxton, the former bass player of The Jam who also spent 15 years with Stiff Little Fingers. This is his first solo album in nearly 30 years, which is rather remarkable given his notoriety.

His new record is a mature, rock’n’roll record, not constrained to the punk / new-wave of his former bands, but laced with plenty of DIY grit nonetheless (fitting as it was funded by PledgeMusic).

Genre-wise, ‘Back In The Room’ features a real mix-bag, with Bruce Foxton turning his bass to everything within the rock spectrum. Songs like ‘Don’t Waste My Time’ and ‘The Gaffa’ are brass heavy pop-rock numbers, ‘The Wide Open Road’ is an electrifying slice of instrumental Americana, ‘Reflection’ is a singalong new wave inspired mid-tempo song, and the closing ‘Senses of Summer’s is a airy folk track. Former band mate Paul Weller pops up for a few cameos, such as playing piano on the sunny, catchy pop song ‘Number Six’. Lovely to hear them working together again.

All in all, a respectable release by a punk icon, whose dynamic bass playing and everyman vocals remain on fantastic form. Bruce Foxton, it’s good to have you back (in the room).

★★★★★

Author. Clive Rozario