Francis Rossi – The Accidental
Seven years is an eternity in rock ‘n’ roll, but Francis Rossi didn’t count. The frontman of Status Quo had no plans to make another solo album. He was simply tinkering in the studio, plugging in guitars, making noise with Hiran Ilangantilike, a young guitarist who had once been a school friend of Rossi’s children, when lightning struck. What emerged wasn’t just a record, it was “The Accidental”, a raw, fist-on-the-table reminder that some of rock’s greatest moments happen when you stop trying so damn hard.
This is Rossi’s first solo outing since 2019, and it marks a sharp break from the acoustic ballads of his previous work. Gone are the layered harmonies and country-tinged introspection. In their place: fourteen tracks of no-nonsense, guitar-driven rock that recall why Rossi’s three-chord boogie made Status Quo arena gods. The album title says it all; this wasn’t manufactured, it was discovered.
Opening track “Much Better” sets the tone with its Americana-like swagger, but it’s only when Rossi lets his Les Paul rip that “The Accidental” finds its heartbeat. “Go Man Go” bursts with resilient guitars and a pounding beat that could wake the dead, while “Something In The Air (Stormy Weather)” introduces a darker, more ominous side with staccato riffs and chant-like rhythms. This is the sound of a 76-year-old national treasure who still knows how to make speakers sweat.
The album’s secret weapon lies in the middle section. “Picture Perfect” delivers that signature Rossi groove, instantly recognisable, irresistibly rhythmic, the kind of song that burrows under your skin and refuses to leave. “November Again” follows with a melancholic refrain building into a sweeping chorus, thanks to bassist John ‘Rhino’ Edwards and drummer Leon Cave locking into a groove reminiscent of the best of the late Quo period. Then comes “Beautiful World”, six glorious minutes of vintage boogie channelling the Frantic Four at their peak. Think thunder from the “Rockin’ All Over the World” era, the sort that made Glasgow Apollo’s balconies sway.
“Push Comes To Shove” takes an unexpected sidestep, its rhythm echoing The Clash’s “London Calling” before sliding into music hall theatricality that shouldn’t work but absolutely does. It’s these moments of controlled chaos that elevate “The Accidental” above mere nostalgia. Rossi and co-producer Andy Brook understand that playing to your strengths doesn’t mean playing it safe.
The supporting cast deserves recognition. Ilangantilike’s fresh blood energises Rossi’s old bones, while long-time collaborator Bob Young contributes to two tracks carrying the classic Rossi/Young trademark. Amy Smith’s backing vocals add a continuous dimension, and there’s genuine chemistry in these performances, the sound of musicians actually enjoying themselves rather than going through the motions.
Not everything lands. “Dead of Night” feels perfunctory, and tracks like “Be My Love” tread familiar ground without breaking new soil. Hardcore fans of Status Quo’s harder-rocking seventies output may find some material too soft for their taste. The album could have benefited from another track or two with the bite of “Something In The Air”, adding more contrast to the straightforward rockers.
But these are minor quibbles on an album that gets the basics right. “Back On Our Home Ground” ventures into ZZ Top-blues territory with restrained finesse, while closing ballad “Time To Remember” proves Rossi can still deliver emotion without sacrificing power. Built around a swaying piano and melody, it’s a fitting coda for an album that never asked for permission to exist.
“The Accidental” isn’t about chasing relevance or reclaiming youth. It’s about instinct, groove, and knowing exactly who you are with a guitar in your hands after fifty-plus years. Rossi has nothing to prove and everything to say, and that paradox is where the magic lives. In an era of calculated comebacks and strategic releases, here is an album that existed because someone couldn’t help but make noise. Sometimes, that’s all rock ‘n’ roll needs to be. (7/10) (earMUSIC)
