Simon RushworthOne More Satellite — One More Satellite (Symphonic)
It’s a decade since esteemed snapper Ross Halfin introduced Dean DeLeo to Pete Shoulder.
Famed for taking rock and roll’s defining images, this time the top class toggy was taking a punt: that a canny lad from Country Durham would immediately hit it off with New Jersey native DeLeo.
Halfin’s hunch was right.
The pair discovered they had much in common — not least a desire to create new music together at a time when both musicians’ careers were at a crossroads.
DeLeo and Stone Temple Pilots were determining their next move following the band’s Chester Bennington experiment.
Shoulder, meanwhile, was in limbo after his Luke Morley collab The Union appeared to have been placed on permanent hiatus.
Within the next two years the pair — alongside Dean’s brother Robert and drummer Brian Tichy — recorded enough new material for a record.
That fabled 2017 album is still to see the light of day.
But One More Satellite sees the old gang get back together and the results are predictably combustible.
Shoulder’s husky, authentic tone perfectly complements DeLeo’s post-grunge panache on a self-titled debut that simmers with creative intent.
At times loud and proud and yet frequently stripped back and deeply introspective, this carefully curated 10-song collection is a source of retro-fuelled joy.
For Pete’s sake — and Dean’s — don’t sleep on One More Satellite.
One More Satellite, loads more fun
Bold, ambitious and brilliantly conceived, One More Satellite is a record of myriad layers and laudable scope.
DeLeo, Shoulder and the extended cast have come up with something seriously special in the shape of this expansive, enthralling long player.
Initially imagined as an instrumental record, thank god DeLeo shot Shoulder a message.
The former Winterville frontman — most recently heard laying down tracks for Spike’s (Quireboys) new folk album — has never sounded better.
At his most robust, the talented all-rounder sounds like the reincarnation of Chris Cornell.
But Shoulder’s just as comfortable quietening things down: his work steering ballads Drowning Out The Sunand Willow Mae is simply sublime.
The latter’s like something Lindisfarne’s Alan Hull and Alice In Chains alumnus Layne Staley might have happened upon had two generational talents ever had the chance to hook up.
Meanwhile, Spit It Out — featuring a furious outlaw country-style guitar salvo — is a case of Johnny Cash meets Soundgarden. And it works a treat.
Here’s the thing. There’s nothing quite like One More Satellite.
The various band members have served their time, proved their chops and manoeuvred themselves into a position where, at this stage in their lives and careers, no fucks are given.
Featuring two instrumentals and too many sonic twists to mention, it’s the antithesis of a commercial rock record.
And that’s exactly why One More Satellite’s dreamy debut is already in the conversation for Rushonrock’s Record of the Year.
