Rocco were originally known as Morocco, a four piece covers band from Liverpool who primarily played pubs, weddings and special events.
For this debut release they have lost their 'Mo' and are a trio assisted by a handful of guest players. In his sleeve notes, close friend Kevin McKee describes the record as "a life in thirteen songs"
Morocco's live repertoire, and the thirteen original songs on this album, reflect singer and main song writer Norman Layne's primary influences: The Beatles (minus Ringo!), Hendrix, Dylan, Bowie and Bolan.
It should be noted that the set list also acknowledged life beyond the 1980s with slightly more modern songs by the likes of Razorlight and Franz Ferninand.
Lyrically, and in terms of recording values, the LP is a simple as early monophonic Merseybeat singles. Some attempts at complexity tend fall a bit flat. The title track, for instance has clunky lines like "to breathe once again would be heaven abounding / but I still believe I might find better surroundings".
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Mercifully, they mostly play to their strengths with unpretentious love songs that owe much to Layne's musical heroes. A saxophone solo on the bluesy Eight O'Clock In The Morning is as sophisticated as it gets.
Perhaps surprisingly, out and out party numbers are thin on the ground. Exceptions are the upbeat All The Boys and Looking At Then. The latter also scores points for acknowledging that the band are no spring chickens.
Kudos to Layne and his loyal mates for getting this record out there and for having the optimism to call it "the first of hopefully several releases".
Better late than never.
Rocco's website
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