Music Review: Peter Frampton – “Thank You Mr. Churchill”

Music Review

Peter Frampton – “Thank You Mr. Churchill”

By our guest blogger, Megan O'Malley

Peter Frampton has been making music since before I was born. His newest album, “Thank You Mr. Churchill,” is heavy on the guitar. While he’s not in his “Do You Feel like I Do” heyday, Frampton still knows how to capture an audience--and keep them listening.

The title track is pretty awesome, but it’s nowhere near the best song of the bunch. As the album goes on the songs get stronger and a listener can easily get lost in the guitar and solos. While as a whole “Thank You Mr. Churchill” is a pretty solid album, it really hits its stride in the middle. The song “I’m Due a You” has this beautiful slow build solo that ends the song. “Asleep at the Wheel” is easy on the ears and its solo makes up for the song’s so-so lyrics. It’s followed by the perfectly placed and utterly smooth “Suite Liberte.” Peter Frampton proves that age doesn’t mean a thing when it comes to kick-ass guitar skills.

Not all of the songs are winners, and the vocal heavy ones tend to blend into one another. The interesting track “Vaudeville Nanna and The Banjolele” has a Phil Collins/Peter Gabriel sort of vibe going on. The sound simmers throughout the entire album, but really comes to a head in this song. As a whole, “Thank You Mr. Churchill” weakens toward the end. “Invisible Man” just plain sucks and the others are kind of forgettable.

Peter Frampton is one of the better guitar players in the history of modern rock. While he has softened a bit with age, Frampton still knows how to let loose. “Thank You Mr. Churchill” may not be his best work, but it’s still a pretty good album.