First album in seven years from reformed British bluesy hard rockers. Their Backstreet Symphony debut was one of the undiscovered gems of the early '90s (initially released, but not promoted, by Capitol, who were mistakenly looking for a hair band. The same album, with new cover art, found success everywhere outside America, via Geffen). Walking the fine line between acoustic country ballads, rock and the blues, the key element remains a refreshingly infectious chorus and east sing-along lyrics. The proper disc closing “I Love The Weekend” seems straight out of the Chuck Berry repertoire, an original based on the lively '50s rock 'n' roll that so clearly shaped thunder's underpinning.

After a rousing, guitar driven start, the opening title cut (lyrically, a tale of growing up and forming the band) settles into Beatlesque harmonies, before ending much as it began. The initial third of “The Rain” is simply singer Danny Bowes and acoustic guitar, eventually joined by piano, drums and the rest of the (subdued) band. There's a strut, almost Eagles multi-voice/storyteller's sensibility to “Black Water”. Ditto, the piano laden “Broken”. Get the impression Wonder Days is old school? Well what would you expect from a bunch of guys in their mid-50s? A thumping “When The Music Played”, complete with cowbell, gets the guitars buzzing again, as does the bluesy slide-guitar sleaze of the acoustic begun “Serpentine”. A wide variety, to say the least. Available in multiple formats, including two-acoustic track Expanded Version, another with an exclusive four-song EP, and one featuring a second, live disc from the 2013 Wacken performance.