The Answer - "Everyday Demons"

Arguably the greatest Irish hard rock band since Thin Lizzy, Northern Irish outfit The Answer's sophomore album "Everyday Demons" had a lot to live up to, following the success and critical acclaim of their first release, "Rise". That album sold over 100,000 copies worldwide, including a staggering 10,000 units in a single day in Japan - no mean feat in any country, for a debut album in this genre.

Thankfully, then, Everyday Demons strikes out in much the same manner as their previous effort, with lots of loud guitars and distinctive rock vocals. There is clearly a lot of individual talent in the band, and one wonders what they can achieve over the course of the next ten years.

That, however, is a question for another day, put to the side from the beginning of the opening riff of "Demon Eyes", which sounds like a dirtier version of Brian May's famous "Tie Your Mother Down", from the album "A Day At The Races". Cormac Neeson's vocals are unmistakable from the outset, his high-range a reminder of The Darkness, another band with talent, who sadly seemed to have more comedy than music in the forefront of their minds.

No such issue is the case here, however, as "Too Far Gone" channels the Foo Fighters, and "Why'd You Change Your Mind" does likewise for Led Zeppelin, opening mildly before bursting through your headphones. Perhaps the most interesting track on the first half of the album, however, is "On and On", a song about the stresses of life, which is sure to be a hit when it comes to the band's live shows.

Despite the fact that this is undoubtedly an Answer album, there are clear moments of song-writing progression from the last offering. "Comfort Zone", the penultimate track, embodies that idea, and is the closest thing to a ballad on the whole album ("I've missed my chance a thousand times before, I swear that I'll miss no more"). Furthermore, "Pride" is a great pop song with a melodic riff; the kind of track that - if it weren't for the dismal state of music in 2009 - really should be a hit single.

All that said, however, there is still something lacking in "Everyday Demons". There are some nice riffs here, but nothing that is instantly memorable, humming-throughout-the-day stuff. There's not a lyric, neither, that jumps out and smacks you in the face with its truth or insight.

All in all, though, it's just a good rock'n'roll album. If all you want to do is rock, you're going to enjoy this one, just as you did "Rise".