Gun release their new LP, Hombres, via Cooking Vinyl. It houses their new single 'Boys Don't Cry' - a testimony to the glory of hard, loud rock. The thirteen tracks on Hombres were recorded and produced by Simon Bloor (Trevor Horn) with mixing by Daryl Thorpe (Foo Fighters) at Morsecode Studios and Strongroom Studio...

Back in the late '80s, when independent record shops were everywhere, I picked up a couple of cheap CD singles of a band I'd not heard of. I played them and quickly became a fan of Gun. I then sought out there debut album, Taking on the World (1989), and played it non-stop for months. For reasons I can no longer remember, I didn't carry on following their progress and so missed the next seven albums. It was only when Hombres, the band's ninth album, landed in my inbox that my memory was jogged and I dug out Taking on the World.

On the first play through of Hombres I wasn't overly impressed. It didn't sound like Gun, It didn't feel like Gun. How on earth was this a Gun record? I'd fallen into the age old trap of wanting more of the same, instead of growing with the band and the times. I played it a second time and started to appreciate the subtle, nuanced approach. A month later and numerous listens, I'm as in love with this as I was with their debut back in 1989.

The album contains 13 tracks (46 min, 53 sec) and I was impressed at how balanced the music is. There's something here for all rock tastes. I loved the old rock vibe of tracks like 'Fake Life' and 'Falling' (which is as close to the band's origin material as it gets). 'A Shift in Time' is a mellow, reflective track that sees a shift in style that is hard to ignore.

If you're a fan of Gun, or a fan of rock in general, you should really treat yourself and pick up Hombres.

9

Nick Smithson