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FM - Atomic Generation

Released - 30.3.2018

Track Listing:

1. Black Magic
2. Too Much Of A Good Thing
3. Killed By Love
4. In It For The Money
5. Golden Days
6. Playing Tricks On Me
7. Make The Best Of What You Got
8. Follow Your Heart
9. Do You Love Me Enough
10. Stronger
11. Love Is The Law
 
32 years after FM unleashed their debut album 'Indiscreet' they hit us with their latest release 'Atomic Generation'. In the scheme of things I'm late to the FM party after hearing about them when Planet Rock had 'Crosstown Train' on the playlist in 2013. Since then I've listened to the entire back catalogue and have seen them live 3 times so I've got some reference to talk about this release. It has the same general feel as the last 3 albums but with a bit more different influences on show. for those whose don't know the FM sound, it's like Def Leppard and Journey's less popular brother. Whilst they don't have anywhere the level of fame as those two bands the quality of the music is just as good.

'Black magic' kicks off with an intro almost identical to the opener off the last album but luckily it changes when it kicks in. The main riff is full of sing along 'woah's' with a very Def Lep feel. Much like the rest of the album. The next track 'Too Much of a Good Thing' has a decent 90's dark pop rock vibe finished off with the boy band key change chorus. Rocking like the soundtrack to a romantic comedy 'Killed By Love' picks the mood into a more uplifting one sounding like more recent FM albums. 'In It For The Money' starts with what sounds like a funky dire straights riff and flows into a down-tuned heavier verse. It's got a simple but effective 'sing a long' chorus. Something FM are very good at. Golden days see their inner 'Journey' released with beautifully intertwined keyboard and guitars. Power ballad style verse with a melodic rock chorus and my initial favourite track so far. If you wanted to hear a touch of Soul with your FM, 'Playing Tricks On Me' delivers that with a touch of horns. 'Make The Best Of What You Got' gets a little bit too close for comfort in some areas to a certain recent-ish Def Lep single. I don't think it was intentional and it doesn't bring the song down. You might not even notice it. 'Follow Your Heart' has a more 'Foreigner' style sounding verse/main riff' with a classic style FM chorus. The ballad intro of 'Do You Love Me Enough' brings out the acoustic guitar for the intro and delivers vintage FM style ballad for the rest. You'd be forgiven for thinking the next track was 'Deep Purple' the way the 'Stronger' intro goes on. We get back the melodic rock sound of the 80's when it kicks in. not the strongest track on the album despite it's name but I wouldn't skip it unless you're only in it for the hits. If you're the type of person that likes to a get a lighter out at a gig then 'Love is the Law' will be right up your alley. Layers of acoustic, slide guitar and harmony vocals carry this tune out to the end of the album.

A solid album overall that kind of fades off towards the end. Whatever FM bring to the table they never lose sight of melody/harmony. Steve Overland's vocals are full of bluesy emotion throughout and after 32 years still sounds very good. Not as high as he used to be but this album proves that he's much more than that. Even though they don't often play arenas, these songs seem designed for them.

Rating  - 7.5 / 10

 Best song - Golden Days

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