Album Review: Andrew Stockdale - Keep Moving

The new solo record from Aussie rock frontrunner Andrew Stockdale is loud, intense and old school, much like the rest of his work to date. Hard-hitting drums, vintage distortion and bluesy guitar riffs, Jon Lord-style organs and wailing double-tracked vocals show Stockdale's love of '60s and '70s rock has not waned in the slightest.

The overall sound of Keep Moving largely maintains some semblance of his former band's sound, but it varies from time to time. Notably, Stockdale moves away somewhat from the stadium rock of old and more towards a dirty blues sound similar that of acts such as The Black Keys or The White Stripes. The stadium sound is still acknowledged occasionally (on The Year Of The Dragon, the curiously misspelt Vacarious and Somebody's Calling), often reined in with the addition of more vocals and that lovely organ.

The latter part of the album sees a softer side, focusing closer on the ballads and Texas Shuffle-style blues. Standing On The Corner stands as the transition between the previous songs and the more low-key material (at least until the whole band comes in and smashes it out), while Country sees the band maintain their volume but slows right down and hints at White Album-esque composition.

Firmly rooted in the baby-boomer rock era, Stockdale has produced another well-established product of that age. He's not budging too far with his sound, it seems, but he explores the territory well and thoroughly. Overall, Keep Moving is probably his best effort yet, and it is certainly his most diverse.