Album Review: 2021: A Lazy Odyssey

Lazy Fifty are Adrian Athy (vocals, guitar), Ryan Raggett (bass), and Ali Sochacki (drums), and they play traditional solid Seventies-style melodic hard rock. This is their fourth album, and to put is simple is an absolute blast from start to finish and a load of fun. The introduction is a tongue in cheek version of a certain movie (look at the album title for a clue), and then we are into solid, blues-based rock which is a sheer delight. It is only the fact that one can hear both a rhythm guitar and a lead at one point that one knows this is not just a live recording, as the impression is they waltzed into the studio, knocked this out, and then went and had a beer. Some bands really give the impression they have played together at countless gigs and instinctively know what is happening around them and are incredibly tight, and Lazy Fifty are one of those.

The guitars may be rawer when they are on a stage, but one understands they are a band who simply deliver. This is the music I grew up on, where the guitar sound felt like it had real weight and distortion, the drummer played with tree trunks and the bassist kept it all together, all with a dose of reality and rawness. Over the top, Adrian is a very clear singer, melodic with clear annunciation, and when Ryan joins in with the harmonies it adds a touch of finesse. The guys released three singles from the album, but somehow, they passed me by, so I am glad I have come across this as there is enough polish and finesse to have one really enjoy playing it at home while also expecting it will become a real banger when it is played live.

There is an instrumental, Polly’s Lament, which has a wonderful late Sixties feel to it, while at other times they are channelling Sabbath, or George Thorogood, all styles which makes an old rocker very happy indeed. Just listen to My Hand, (both these numbers were inspired by Peaky Blinders), which is a real throwback with a raw roughness and filthy guitar which is offset by handclaps! There are times when one wants music to be quiet and gentle, and others where it is more visceral while staying melodic and this is definitely one of those. It is full of anthems, and I only hope that next year we get to see the guys up here, as that is a gig I will definitely not miss.