Hard Roxx. Online music magazine. www.hardroxx.com
Reviewed 28/04/01

THE IDLE HANDS - ‘The Devil Makes Work ...’

Funny thing the blues. Although it's rightfully acknowledged as the progenitor of the modern day hard rock/metal that we all know and love, few people within the industry (not to mention the fans) these days seem to have that much time for it, seeing it more as yesterday's gig hung onto by a few obscure black guys from the States. Now, in many respects that's a real shame as the likes of BB King et all were, and to all intents and purposes still are, some of the most emotive and expressive guitar players the world has ever seen.

The Idle Hands are a British, Chesterfield based quartet who've been around in one form or another now for well over ten years. Seasoned veterans on the UK gig circuit, the band consists of Phil Allen on vocals (ex Thunderchilde, Stateline), Jamie Burns on bass (also ex Thunderchilde), drummer Simon Evans, and respected guitarist Dave
Robinson (an extremely gifted 'old school' player who takes his influences from the likes of Page, Beck and Hendrix). Although they have previously released a cassette album called 'Everybody's Blues', and a mini CD ‘Feels like Blues’, 'The Devil Makes Work ...' is their first full length CD, and if you're into the kind of modern tinged blues as purveyed on the recent Gary Moore release, then I recommend you track this down pronto.

Featuring thirteen tracks, all bar one of which are band originals, and the best part of an hours worth of music, 'The Devil Makes Work...' pays a warm tribute to the sounds of yesteryear, a time when all you needed to get a record deal was a stack of great songs played by a band who really believed in them. For a self financed and independently recorded release, this is extremely sharp and clear, the bass and drums laying down a real hook laden groove, Robinson's at times inspired guitar work and Allen's soulful vocals creating a seductively hypnotic ambience which endears itself to the listener right from the word go.

A mixture of bouncy, upbeat blues rockers, and gentler, heart tugging ballads, this is raw blues in a much less diluted format, stripped back to the bone, relying only on the strengths and character of the songs to make its point - no pretence, no unnecessary window dressing, just pure adrenaline and emotion played from the heart. From the cock sure swagger of punchy opener 'Closer To The Floor' with it's whisky soaked vocals and effervescent guitar stabs, through the more traditional delta blues of title track 'The Devil Makes Work' or seductive soulful drawl of 'Blues And Soul', right to the gently meandering closer 'Goodbye', 'The Devil Makes Work ...' is a celebration of everything that's great about the blues. There's the bouncy 'Miss Me' which could've come off any of Gary Moore's three blues albums, the groove laden 'Riverside' or the down and dirty 'Crazy' to get to grips with, plus a smouldering run through of the old Sonny Boy Williamson track 'When My Baby She Left Me' .. but that's just for starters, the rest you'll have to discover for yourself.

From the heart of the UK, straight to the heart of the Mississippi delta, The Idle Hands are as fine a blues rock combo as this country has produced in years.

8/10 Dave Cockett