For those of you who were rocked by The Darkness and thought that this is what the U.K. had to offer, well you’re half right. I love The Darkness. For those of you who hated them, give England another chance and welcome Ginger into your life. It’s time to jump on a different bandwagon, one that has been chugging right along since 1993. Yes Ginger led his mighty band, The Wildhearts to many “highs” since then. They struggled with band members, breaking up, re-uniting, drugs, all the while putting out some of the most creative songwriting you’ve yet to hear. Hell, this is Ginger’s second double CD in as many years. In late 2004 Ginger asked his lady to marry him, she replied by leaving for good with his two children. But being the survivor and great singer songwriter that he is, Ginger managed to release a double CD, move to L.A. and join a band, he was over qualified to be in. Sober and still on the edge, Ginger once again rose from the ashes and headed to Texas of all places, with a head full of stories.
After kicking his habit, he wound up at Willie Nelsons studio with Ralph Jezzard. (Producer of the Wildhearts “Endless/Nameless” album). What we end up with is another outstanding collection of personal tales from one of rocks most talented storytellers. ‘Valor Del Corazon’ is over 80 minutes of heart wrenching stories, wrapped up in country, gospel, rock, boogie shuffles, huge riffs and of course, those choruses. His personal stories are not only very well written, he has surrounded his words with such a vast variety of musical genres, that I’m sure it would affect mass appeal, if only people heard it. He has a very radio friendly voice, an ear for melody and his hooks last for days after each listen. On Disc One, he goes from the heavy opening and huge drums of “Ugly”, with it’s spiteful lyrics, right into “Mother City”, an ode to NYC that sounds like seventies pop rock from Cheap Trick, right into an instrumental called “G.T.T.”, a funky Ministry styled instrumental with spoken word and a guitar solo. There’s also a horn section playing a familiar melody that I can’t quite put my finger on. If you’re looking for that Wildhearts riff/hook and huge sing along chorus, look no further than “Yeah, Yeah, Yeah”. If you didn’t read Gingers open letter to his fans about his life, check out “This Is Only A Problem”, about him getting over it and getting back on with it, like only he can. This is one tough human being folks. Then there’s the build up and the breakdown of “Ten Flaws Down” and the Sixties pop of “Paramour”. Which leads us to the final track of Disc One, “The Man Who Cheated Death”. This is the one that set it all up. The first track to be released to the masses on the internet. It’s a beautiful piano laced song with heartfelt lyrics and an Eagles vibe. Now Disc Two is just as strong but we just don’t have the space so you’re just going to have to go out and by this special 2 Disc set from a man who wears his heart on his sleeve and is proud to share it with us. The rock world is a better place thanks to Ginger. A must have for sure.