Reviewed by Ian Phillips.
By Kevin Johnson, Planet/MGM 2019.
Kevin Johnson (Rock & Roll I Gave You All The Years Of My Life) is one of Australia’s most globally successful singer-songwriters with a particularly large following in Europe.
He has appeared extensively on TV, headlined sell-out concerts throughout Europe and the UK, he’s written music for films, and has won a number of awards including two BMI (British Music Industry) Citations for outstanding airplay in the USA.
Kevin Johnson is one of very few Australian artists to sustain continuous international interest for over 50 years and he has signed a long-term deal with Repertoire Records in London who will be releasing The Devil Found Work.
He has achieved all this despite being somewhat of a recluse and enigma in his own country.
The title track to the album is the lead single and it is one of the best tracks he’s released in recent years. It’s an up-tempo country rocker presenting the case for someone who’s been led astray.
Kevin is a wonderful singer and he has lost none of his vocal skills with the passing of the years.
He has a relaxed presentation style which doesn’t stress the vocal cords, and yet he can still belt out a rock song with the best of them.
His real strength however is his tremendous songwriting.
The timing of this album’s release is exquisite considering some of the tracks, particularly Political Shuffle, which presents the case for the politicians who have yet to achieve any of their promises. It’s a fantastic track that should be immediately released as a single and given high rotation on all radio stations across the nation.
Kevin has never been afraid to tackle contentious issues in his songs nor to open his heart up if he feels strongly enough that something must be done.
There Comes A Time takes a critical look at our society, and particularly leadership, suggesting that the time has come to seriously think about where we’re heading.
Our apparent indifference to our natural habitats, as well as the suffering of the disenfranchised, is no cause for celebration nor for prevarication.
It is time for us to act.
The Devil Found Work features13 new songs and it’s right up there with his very best work.
