Keith Leahy’s project, The Petal Falls, return with another new album of top quality songs in the wake of 2022’s equally excellent Everything About You. As well as Keith on vocals, guitar and keyboards the band are Robert Harpum (guitar), Barry Kitchin(guitar), Robin Tucker (drums), Martin Corder (bass). There are some Springsteen hints to their music and also I would honestly put The Petal Falls right up there with any classic AOR band you could name.
The Rhythm Train rocks noticeably harder than Everything About You giving their characteristically melodic songs with catchy hooks a tougher edge. Opener Obsession is the perfect example – a denser and bigger production with layers of guitar and Leahy’s strong honeyed vocals. Great backing vocals too and a buzzing synth part pumping up the rhythm. One Of A Kind follows suit and it’s striking immediately just how excellent the song-writing is.
Side By Side is equally brilliant with a wall of guitars interweaving. There are three guitarists credited on the album and I could believe all three guys play on every track. Dancin’ Thru The Crowd is a switch, poppier in style and execution, but made for the radio, an anthemic feel good tune. Give A Little Love takes things down, a reflective ballad with a bluesy backing track. Enough of that interlude, the title track is a juggernaut of riffs and rhythm that astonishes with its power and Leahy’s voice – not for the first time he reminds me of UFO’s Phil Mogg.
Someone, Somewhere is another big tune, with a lovely tasteful guitar solo as a bonus. Someday is quite superb – a strong energetic verse and yet somehow they still find a turbo-charged chorus to top that and more spellbinding guitar too! A Little Piece Of Heaven pulls things back from that high point slightly for the verses but the chorus ramps it up again, These guys really do know how to make a chorus hit home hard. Will The World Stop Turning is a breathtakingly glorious end to the album. Everything is dialled up to the max and it’s like the very best of what they can do distilled into one song.
If you like your AOR with big hooks, great playing and production and killer vocals and guitars – The Petal Falls are for you. They astonish me because this is a British band and everything suggests this is a top drawer American act.