After seeing Jamie Thyer’s Facebook page, featuring the musician with a Gibson® SG and wearing a chrome finger slide, you just know the guitar slinger means serious business around the fretboard. Not surprising, the ten original rock songs on Cafe Racer, the forthcoming album from Thyer and his band The Worried Men, exude a gritty but wanted six-string character. The studio amps must have undergone a good workout while recording this collection. But there is more to the music.

Taking the Album Out For a Spin

Set for release Jan. 12, 2018, Cafe Racer opens with “Untamed Beast,” an explosive riff-laden cut of volume and muscle. Thyer’s lead fills detonate with force and sustain throughout the three minute recording. The vocals are strong and not overly produced, solidifying the mix. Generally speaking, there is only one way to play this rock cut: loud. As far as the guitar playing goes, file this under the category of a professional who has perfected his craft.

“Teenage Firewater” begins with a great axe intro nailing a bulls-eye tone, before breaking into full-fledged fret-filled tuneage. The opening bars repeat as a riff, while string bends, scale runs and Elmore James-type triplets round out the picture. The late Johnny Winter undoubtedly would have approved. Meanwhile, the rhythm section holds everything together by way of opportune drumming and punchy bass playing. In essence, Thyer, a music veteran who hails from Britain’s South West region, has a brand that speaks for itself.

Unplugged, Additional Favorites

Besides the SG, the musician is known for wielding a Flying V. But in addition to honking on the humbuckers, the blues-rock artist strums an acoustic guitar on “Green Lights” and “The Harlot’s Ghost.” Back on the electric side, “Long Ride Home” is a slide romp that ends too soon. Be forewarned that listening to the title cut from Cafe Racer on large speakers with a sub-woofer could give enthusiasts whiplash. There are others, too.

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Together with The Worried Men, Thayer, who played on demonstrations for Marshall Amplification, has logged more than 4,000 show appearances. Perhaps that is why JT’s guitar sounds so alive in the studio. The picking and the power chords seem to jump right out of the speakers. When next year rolls around, it will be hard to top Cafe Racer.