Dave Davies: Bug Angel Air records SJPCD 179 Bug is Dave Davies's first album of original material in over twenty years. Dave has sometimes unfairly come in for criticism for his solo work and as ever is always compared to his brother Ray. Whilst both Ray and Dave brought their own unique talents to the Kinks in a solo situation Dave has always taken a far more interesting and somewhat eclectic route which to my ears is all the more welcome. I am not sure just how long Dave has been working on this material but I get a sneaking suspicion that some of it has been worked out beforehand in a live capacity as some of the songs are incredibly well arranged and worked out. The opening track Who's Foolin' Who being a fine example of this theory. It is also incredibly obvious from the opening chords just how much of the Kinks sound Dave was responsible for and listening to the song it could well have come from one of the later Kinks albums. My favourite tracks on Bug are the extended The Lie and the excellent Rock You, Rock Me. The biggest surprise of the album however is the dance oriented Life After Life which may well shock many Dave Davies and Kinks fans but I actually think this is one of the most interesting songs Dave Davies has ever written and also shows a willingness to experiment beyond what many people would ordinarily expect from Dave. As a bonus there are three live tracks including Death Of A Clown Susannah's Still Alive and a raunchy version of Dead End Street which proves that Dave has the necessary chops to carry a live show on his own. In my humble opinion nice as it is to have these tracks as extras Bug is a fine album that stands on its own merits. Bug may well be the latest album from Dave Davies but the refreshingly eclectic nature of the album is its main selling point and I would heartily recommend that Kinks fans old and new and of course rock fans jump in and buy the album. I promise you an album that bears repeated play and one that will also surprise and delight in equal amounts, which is more than anyone, can expect from an album. Highly recommended.