Carbon/Silicon - The Last Post

Fanfare for an uncommon band, at last on CD

Since 2003, Mick Jones and Tony James have been releasing tracks for limited periods via their website, while road testing them at gigs, waiting until the right time to make them available on CD. The Last Post consists of highlights plus new material, and is something of a revelation. It’s always good to hear those familiar Jones tones and multi-tiered guitars but, with Tony adding his own guitar, plus the dynamic rhythm section of former BAD bassist Leo Williams and drummer Dominic Greensmith, Carbon/Silicon are poised to leave a massive footprint, with an album combining incisive social comment with unabandoned rock’n’roll blast. Albums painting bleak, despairing pictures of the world often get acclaimed but Carbon/Silicon would rather tackle the root and suggest positive solutions, starting from within. The music taps into rock’n’roll’s primal essence, with blinding hooks and killer guitar solos heightened by a densely immaculate production, aided by Bill Price’s (Mott, London Calling) mix. Icons are homaged throughout, including The Who (What The Fuck), Mott (The Whole Truth), Stones (Why Do Men Fight and National Anthem, opening with spoken reflection from Mick) and, indeed, The Clash (Oil Well tackles Iraq on a London Calling-style vamp, while War On Culture is simply glorious). London is definitely calling again and the signal is magnificent.

5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars

Carbon/Silicon Records | CD 1003

Reviewed by Kris Needs
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