Review: Whitesnake- Flesh & Blood

Bands who had their biggest hits in the 80’s can be hit and miss when it comes to new albums and new music in 2019. Often times, either fans don’t care or the record feels like the band is just grasping at straws to regain the sound that once made them great.

This isn’t the case with Whitesnake’s latest record- Flesh & Blood– the legendary band’s 13th studio record. This one is a grand slam and completely recaptures every essence that made the band so good in the first place.

“Good to See You Again” opens the record with the classic Whitesnake sound. Joel Hoekkstra’s lead guitar work and Reb Beach’s rhythm work would have fit right in in the Slide it In and Self-Titled era; It’s a hell of a way to start the album and this will easily find its way into the live set

“Shut Up and Kiss Me,” Trouble is Your Middle Name” and the title track, keep the ball rolling while “Gonna Be Alright” prove Coverdale’s vocals haven’t aged one bit over the years. The keys, guitars vocals take you back to the 80’s; So does “Heart of Stone.”

“Hey You (You Make Me Rock)” is a slow, gritty, raw, sexy rock anthem while “Always & Forever” is an upbeat, happy, charming, fun summer time rock soundtrack with a great solo. 

“When I Think of You (Color Me Blue)” is the  first true ballad of the album and it’s worth the wait, standing right up with some of the band’s all-time classics

“Well I Never” is a simple, memorable chorus and pounding drum intro that make the song hard to forget; “Get Up” is a bluesy guitars, gritty, sexy, hard-driven anthem that leads into “After All” where Hoekkstra’s acoustic guitar work is at its best; It’s one of the most beautiful, soft ballads Whitesnake has ever done, which says a lot

“Sands of Time” closes things out in an anthemic, epic form. It’s a final statement for Whitesnake and its a strong one. 

In the end, Flesh & Blood is the strongest Whitesnake record in a long time and it’s so good the band firing on all cylinders, sounding so tight and putting together an album that can be appreciated not only right now but also in 1988.

Rating: 9/10

-Reggie Edwards