Hoodoo Gurus - WhiteNight

Wed 10th Mar, 2004 in Music Reviews

Peter Andre may be making waves OS with his re-release of Mysterious Girl, but the biggest comeback this summer has certainly been the Hoodoo Gurus.  While Dave Faulkner may not have the abs of Andre, he does have an ear for a killer hook and a stack more musical credibility.  It’s a pity the Hoodoo Gurus aren’t currently number one on the UK charts.  

White Night was the first taste of new Gurus served to the ever waiting public.  Whilst it doesn’t have the immediate impact of some of the Gurus greatest, and I can’t see it becoming the an anthem we can all chant along to next Homebake, it does show plenty of promise for the new album slated for release this month.  Quite simply it’s a no frills rocker.  A simple bass line leaves the brunt of the work for both the guitar and vocals, delivered with a slightly off kilter style before coming together for the chorus.  It’s a fairly simple idea, executed with little fuss.  Fans hoping for a Miss Freelove ‘04 should look elsewhere, it’s no where near as immediate or as polished, but after four or five listens, there’s no doubt you’ll be singing along.

The widespread popularity of the Gurus cannot be doubted – a main stage performance late in the day on Big Day Out tour to rave reviews, only heighten the pressure and the scrutiny that will no doubt be placed on the comeback album. With a solid  track like White Night relegated to a b-side status, it speaks well for those that made the cut. 

White Night – a radio only single can be found as a b-side on the Nothing’s Changing My Life single. The new Hoodoo Gurus album ‘Mach Schau’ will be in all good  record stores March 15.