Following the delay of their next album, now due for release in October, Wet Wet Wet surprised us all with the digital release of The Journey Out of Lockdown: The Greatest Hits Live from Glasgow. Comprised of audio from their live broadcast back in April, the release sees the band’s biggest and best songs being made available for those who missed the original live stream a couple of months ago.
Not only does the album capture the spirit of the original songs that have helped make the band a household name, but it also helps to highlight the new lease of life the band have found since the introduction of their current frontman Kevin Simm. For many, myself included, this is actually the first time I’ve heard him front the band in any meaningful way outside of the confides of a YouTube video and I don’t think the band could have found a better man for the job.
The Journey Out of Lockdown not only manages to capture the spirit and energy that you can only get with a live performance, but it also helps showcase the band’s classic material in a new light. Even without seeing the band perform this live back in April you can tell they all had a massive smile on their face when recording this.
Some of the highlights for me are Sweet Little Mystery, Wishing I Was Lucky and Goodnight Girl with Wishing I Was Lucky in particular being firmly brought into the 21st Century with some wonderful guitar work. For me the highlight of the entire album is Kevin Simm’s vocal work because the man’s range is just ridiculous at times and he doesn’t restrict himself with simply doing a Marti Pellow impression so please don’t discount the man as just another throwaway reality star.
He has his own voice and delivers the lines in a way that separates him from Pellow’s work and while that may not be to everyone’s taste, I think it really is the best decision for the band moving forward. However, knowing what he is capable of, I think there is a limit here on what he can achieve with this these songs but hopefully that’s something that can be addressed with the new material due in October.
As for the songs that are available here, you’ve heard them all before but not like this. At the very least, I’m hoping that The Journey Out of Lockdown makes people stand up, take notice and realise what an incredible band Wet Wet Wet really are and can be when given the chance. They have more than enough talent to survive without Marti Pellow and if these live renditions of the classics are any indication of what’s to come, then October really can’t come quick enough.
by Edward Laing
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Had a listen to this and all I can say it just sounds like Karaoke, Kevin pronunciation of some words, makes him sound drunk.
There isn’t one song on here that it would say that has been sung better than the original
Good job I only downloaded it and didn’t pay
Over the odds – not worth listening too
A great review and a fair one at that. Thank you. I was doubtful of Kevin that first night at St Lukes, but I soon changed my mind when I saw the joy on the band’s faces at being back on stage. Kevin is a quiet, unassuming guy, but with a set of lungs on him that set the old classics on fire. So glad they found him because he’s breathed a new life into the band that ive followed for 33 years. Can’t wait for the Journey to be released now. Hope you’ll review it when it’s finally revealed. X
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Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. You can be sure we’ll be there when the album releases in October.
Loved every minute of this album and haven’t stopped listening to it. Kevin’s vocals are the absolute highlight. So glad they replaced the pub singer Pellow. He’s an old washed up crooner.
Been a fan from 1987 aged 12, my walls were adorned with posters of Marti, and let’s be honest, older and wiser me still wouldn’t kick him out for spilling crumbs. Having said that, I am a Wet Wet Wet fan, always have been, always will be and Kevin has breathed new life into the band, their chemistry is fantastic and having seen them live in 2019, I can honestly say, the band made Wet Wet Wet, not just Marti. Looking forward to the new album and seeing them again in November.