Those that take titles too literally may say that
Ian Gomm's eighth album, Rock 'N' Roll Heart, doesn't rock all that at hard, at least according the traditional, four-on-the-floor definition of the term. They could argue that point, but they'd be wrong, because
Gomm does have a rock & roll heart, and it's beating strongly on this winning, understated affair. This is rock & roll in the great pub rock tradition -- laid-back, easy, tuneful, and warm, equally comfortable with a sly joke or a sweet love song.
Gomm has assembled a strong set of songs -- mainly sturdy originals, but also with a couple of choice covers, most notably the breezy opening cut,
General Johnson's beach music classic, "Gone Fishin'" -- and delivers them simply and appealingly. There are guest appearances by
Russell Smith of
the Amazing Rhythm Aces and
Nanci Griffith (on the lovely "Don't Cry"), but they don't call attention to themselves, they blend nicely with
Gomm's mellow, amiable vibe. This might not have the devilish abandon of
Brinsley Schwarz at their rocking peak, but anybody who has loved
Gomm's work since then will find that their own rock & roll heart is in the same place as his on this very, very nice album. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine