Upper Lip – ‘Deep Within’


(Pride and Joy Music)


It’s obvious from the outset of ‘Deep Within’ Malta’s Upper Lip are strongly influenced by AC/DC. They do have their own take on this brand of beer-soaked hard rock so can’t be accused of been copycat’s but everything about their energy, care free attitude and cheeky lyric’s makes it clear they are fans of AccaDacca. Their chosen name I assume is also an indicator of the Aussie’s influence on them with it being lifted from the legends 2000 album ‘Stiff Upper Lip’.


They are an ultra-tight musical unit, it’s really apparent these musicians have been working together for a long time well before this their first album recording. It makes ‘Deep Within’ sound like it’s been crafted by a more accomplished and established band. The production is a bit dirty and grimy but I assume this is to try and capture the bands live sound and also accentuate that Eighties hard rock vibe they so obviously adore.


Upper Lip have delivered a solid album of fun, beer soaked, rock and roll! They aren’t reinventing the wheel but they aren’t imitating either and I think they will make fans quickly within Hard Rock circles. I can highly recommend this to rockers who are looking for something full of energy but also care free and footloose. There is nothing too heavy going here, no pretentious or deep lyrics here, rather focusing on fun.


They aren’t one trick ponies either, not all the tracks are full on rambunctious rockers they do slow things down at times and even push into some psychedelic flows. It’s the more obvious rockers where the band win most my attention but the varied song styles and structures makes the album a much more interesting listen and prevents it form becoming boring or repetitive too quickly. So, a lot of praise does need to be aimed at guitarist’s Joseph Azzopardi inventive and varied song writing. It would have been much easier for the band to just write a bunch of AC/DC covers!


Upper Lip may not set the world alight with this album but they will definitely fill a hole in many hard rock aficionado’s current listening as they will thoroughly enjoy this album. AC/DC and Airbourne fans in particular will have fun banging their heads and soaking themselves in beer until their heads drop off and their liver’s scream for respite whilst enjoying ‘Deep Within’ at full volume.


7/10


Review by Woody

Track List -

  1. Keep Going

  2. Marble Arch

  3. Skinny Jeans

  4. Eyes On Fire

  5. What Makes You Smile

  6. Deep Within

  7. Mirrors and Masks

  8. Hide

  9. Be Free

  10. Desert Song

  11. Never Lose Hope