CITY OF LOVE

Deacon Blue, 40 years on and still going strong. Enjoy!

This album deserves multiple plays to appreciate the songs and their brilliance. I recently saw the band play these songs live and they sounded even better,

City of love: is the 2020 album release by Deacon Blue - the veteran (highly complimentary term) Scottish rock/pop band.It sees them (on the whole) in a vibrant and enthusiastic mood.the upbeat opening title track - with excellent string arrangements - sets the tone for the rest of this excellent 11 track long player.Weight of the world - is a beautiful ballad with interesting lyrics,as are all (lyrics) throughout the album.The core members of Deacon Blue; Ricky Ross,Lorraine McIntosh,James Prime and Dougie Vipond - all make very fine contributions on City of love (including song-writing credits).the chemistry between them works very well - as usual.It has always been rather difficult to shove DB into a niche musical box.Celtic roots,Steely Dan and Bruce Springsteen influences,contemporary pop,timeless songs - they're one or more of all these genres - that's what makes them so great!In our room: is an excellent track worthy of highlighting.The most rock-inspired song has to be - Keeping my faith alive - with its calm verses,then bursts into life on the chorus.superb heavy rock style guitar riff - detect a bit of - Back in black by AC/DC - in here! another brilliant song inclusion,all the same.'Intervals' - is the most Springsteen-esque track - with piano and glockenspiel - in evidence.A walk in the woods- is a song of soul searching and self discovery.and - Wonderful - is another wonderful (pardon the dreadful pun) ballad.Final/closing track: On love - is I would say,saving the best till last.it's half a talking monologue and the other half a singing chorus.It's an autobiographical style,story teller of the life of a young Scottish boy growing up,with references to his family members.true,partially true or fictitious? - I leave you to interpret dear music lover - full lyrics to it are included,as are all (such lyrics) for every track on the album.The trademark vocal interactions between Ricky Ross and (still wife?) Lorraine McIntosh - work very well as usual - "if it ain't broke don't fix it"...you could say.This is the first Deacon Blue album I have bought since 2012's The Hipsters - an absolute corker (imho).and while City of love - might not have (quite) the same clout,it's still a very fine,excellent album by this somewhat - understated rock/pop genre band.Give it a few listens - you should then be hooked on it!N.B. this line-up of DB - is augmented by; Gregor Philips (guitar,keyboards,vocals) and Lewis Gordon (bass guitar,acoustic guitar and vocals) credited on the sleeve notes.All six band personnel are featured on two colour photographs in inner sleeve package - along with full credits and extensive information.P.S. excellent 'production' and sound quality for the album.P.P.S. 4.5 stars on a good day.like the day I last listened to it 😊🎸🎶

Saw them live recently in Plymouth. Awesome show. Bought this and love it. Can’t recommend it enough.

Deacon blue are my favourite band and I have all their albums. This album is up there with all the others, with sublime songs, 'In Our Room' is absolutely amazing.

Raintown started it all .. Many Years and Albums Later Deacon Blue are still Delivering Great Music .. This Album is a Cracker and Sounds Better with every Play ..

Superb album that does not disappoint a slighly softer and more mellow Deacon Blue offer up a lovely selection of songs that take you on a journey, great CD.

It's growing on me