The Karma Effect - Promised Land (2024)

The big groove of “Livin’ It Up”, the ageless rock n roll. Hides a truth: “They say we’re the lost generation” sings Henry Gottelier in its first line—no doubts about where The Karma Effect found themselves: classic rock.

That “See You Again” came out in 2024, but its Stones-like strut could have come out at any point in rock n roll history and sounded good. It’s a case in point, fans of former touring partners Bad Touch need to get here. I’m more than 99% sure they’ll like it (see what I did there?)

“Wild Honey” comes on with a bit more of a blues groove, for sure, but The Karma Effect understand hooks are what this type of music needs, and they excel at them.

The titles kind of give it away. A track called “All Night Long” on an album like this? It’d better be a party, right? This is. And I’ll bet you this too: it’s in the live set for yes.

“Still Falling For You” slows it down, and if big old ballads with soaring choruses are your thing, this is a good example.

For my money they’re better when they dial up the rock, like on “Promised Land”, but “Be My Salvation” adds a dash of soul to things and a slow one with much to say.

That said, “Come To Life” does, and as it builds there’s just a touch of Rival Sons, about its vibe, and TKE would, you guess, be delighted to be on the West Coast of America in about 1969, chilling.

“Nine Lives” is one of the highlights. No struggling down in the deep cuts here, no sir. Quality, not quantity is the order of the day here. There’s a lot packed into the 40 minutes.

Not least, “Better Days”, which adds an air of fun to the last one. The silver lining. Better days are coming? Let’s hope. In years gone by this has got “hit single” all the way through it – and you do long for the days when bands like this got the kudos that they deserve.

That said, we live in 2024, and those days they aren’t coming back they’ve got something, have the five-piece. Watching them onstage a few months ago the star quality was there for all to see.

Whether they get there or not, this record is so good that you hope they can one day tell the folks back home this is the “Promised Land” calling. It is extremely good karma, that’s for sure.