Simon RushworthFrancis Rossi — The Accidental (earMUSIC)
You could forgive Francis Rossi for favouring the status quo as he continues to bolster a late blooming solo career.
And if The Accidental leans on the day job more than most of his ‘without the band’ side hustles then this is still a record bursting with adventure and ambition.
Within a surprisingly diverse set there’s blues, soul and Americana.
Rossi’s no rules mantra makes for a magical mystery ride with the guitar as the star.
And it’s his six-string partnership with Hiran Ilangantilike that makes The Accidental much more than a perfunctory vanity project.
A school friend of one of Rossi’s children, the pair sound like they’ve been jamming together for decades.
But if their unexpected alliance inspired The Accidental’s title then it all makes perfect sense.
In fact, the romantic image of two loosely connected musicians thrown together by fate adds an extra element of mystery to an album that’s full of it.
Records like The Accidental don’t just happen… by accident.
But Rossi, Ilangantilike, John ‘Rhino’ Edwards (bass), Leon Cave (drums) manage to foster a free-flowing, almost instinctive vibe.
Nothing feels forced. Nothing sounds overly rehearsed. And nothing’s off limits.
Rossi could have gone for the safe option on his first solo record in seven years.
He could have…
An Accidental success?
For all those unpredictable twists and turns, fans of Quo will find much to love within the 14 songs here.
At times this is Rossi at his rockiest — that signature tone tearing through a series of future live classics.
Take the bullish, barnstorming Beautiful World.
It’s an absolute belter that brings back memories of Quo’s formative years and an era when truly heavy rock was their genre of choice.
Go Man Go benefits from a similarly buoyant burst of sonic energy. It’s bound to find favour with those who hark back to the Rossi-Parfitt glory days.
But The Accidental consciously builds on the former’s bravely varied solo back catalogue.
Set closer Time To Remember leans on a simple piano melody and sees a reflective Rossi lays bare his soul. It’s evocative, moving stuff.
Elsewhere the bluesy November Again builds on a brooding bassline and a jaunty riff to emerge as one of The Accidental’s indisputable standouts.
Prior to release, Rossi admitted he had no idea how fans would react to a solo record that’s as bold as it’s beautiful.
He needn’t worry. The Accidental’s assured a special place in rock and roll hearts.
