THE TREATMENT- Waiting for Good Luck (Album Review)

On their official Instagram, The Treatment describes themselves as “5 guys that love partying, beer and Rock n Roll!!” Their fifth album, Waiting For Good Luck is the soundtrack to anyone who describes themselves likewise. It’s a blues-soaked classic Rock and Roll album that leans on the best elements of bands like AC/DC, Cinderella, Y&T, and Dokken while remaining true to their own sound. It’ll be required listening on any and all road trips for the summer of 2021.

The Treatment have gone through several changes over the years, but the follow-up to 2019’s Power Crazy—which Rich “The Meister” Dillon called a “great slab of straight ahead, balls-out hard rock”—is the product of a mostly stable lineup. Original guitarist Tagore Grey and drummer Dhani Mansworth remain in the fold along with Tagore’s younger brother Tao on rhythm guitar. Also returning is vocalist Tom Rampton who joined the band for the last album. Andy Milburn recently replaced Rick Newman on bass. Waiting For Good Luck was produced by Laurie Mansworth (Airrace) and mixed by Kevin Shirley (Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin, Black Country Communion, etc.).

The Right Way

Whether the reason is stability or not, The Treatment are a classic blues rock machine hitting on all cylinders. The first two singles, “Rat Race” and “Wrong Way” have shown listeners the quality of Waiting For Good Luck. It’s built on workman-like riffs like one of the band’s clearest influences AC/DC. The rhythm section plays a crucial role in the bluesy rock sound. Of course, the worn, slightly raspy vocals are perfect for The Treatment‘s brand of Rock and Roll.

The first single, “Rat Race“, first caught my ear in February when CGCM added it as a Beaver Buzz track. Kickin’ Valentina had just released their own killer song called “Rat Race” and I figured there was no way to compete with KV. This is no Van Halen and Pointer Sisters situation though as The Treatment’s song holds up. They’re both bangers that are big parts of the soundtrack to the pandemic.

In the last week of March, Beaver Buzz led with

the second single, “Wrong Way“. It turns out to be maybe the most poppy song on the album, and it’s infectious. While fairly upbeat, The Treatment just have the blues in their blood and can’t avoid breakup songs. Rampton gives his all as he shows us the right way to what to expect on the album.

Roots

The Treatment excel at songs that pay tribute to their roots. “Devil in the Detail” has a Rokken with Dokken feel. Grey‘s infectious riff lays the groundwork for what might be their biggest song.

The Treatment embrace their AC/DC roots with “Let’s Make Money“, a straight-ahead rocker with soaring choruses. I really liked the understated solo, which sounded like the Grey brother’s dabbling in the dual guitar solo. This one must be played loud.

With “Barman“, they go way back to the roots of their roots. The bluesy boogie-woogie track is made to be a sing-along bar tune. It’s an optimistic look at a post-pandemic world where mates swaying arm in arm can belt out a song like this. A song everyone should know. Oh, and the piano version bonus track further proves my point.

Final Thoughts

I think that Rampton says it best on the killer Y&T-inspiredHold Fire” (not “Open Fire“), “And we all love a little bit of good time rock and roll.” That’s exactly what this album is, good-time rock and roll. It’s a party album that should be blasting out of pick-up trucks around a fire. There’s not a bad track on this beauty. Do yourself a favour and pick it up ASAP.

BUY:  FRONTIERS (EU) / FRONTIERS (US) /AMAZON.com / AMAZON.co.uk

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Check out the videos:

Rat Race

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4c9n4wKSXU[/embedyt]

Wrong Way

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnWe6fLaU_Y[/embedyt]

Also, find more of my CGCM reviews here: Dave Wilks

Dave Wilks

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