This album rocks like a bitch, but allows for some more tender music. Some of my favourite albums – from The Doors’ Strange Days onwards – pretty much fit that description and this collection is joining them. Matlock is aware of the past but doesn’t live there – most of this record is new or recent material, the one version included is an inspired choice. You can detect traces of possible influences eg Dylan, Fogerty, Cash however there is such a strong English feel to the collection these are but ingredients to the final dish. You won’t find sharper rock’n’rollers than Matlock’s company on these recordings and if a Rockpile-Dr Feelgood- New York Dolls style of drive is to the fore, this is no accident. The overriding element at work here is individuality…

Opening cut Won’t Put The Brakes On Me heads off on strummed acoustic guitar and the distant echo of Eddie Cochran adds to the fun. It’s tough and it’s catchy. The drumming on this record is by Slim Jim Phantom or the crisp Chris Musto, the bass by Jim Lowe, all pace and melody. The guitars besides Matlock’s own are by Neil X, Chris Spedding or Earl Slick. Nothing is going to go wrong.

Wanderlust bursts into life on a sneering riff before settling into a driving dark-hued rocker with a catchy chorus worthy of The Dolls. The propulsion is sustained, the vocal forceful and steady. Surely the likes of John Fogerty and Larry Wallis would approve. Maybe rock tune of the year for me, readers. On to Sexy Beast which gives The Cramps a run for their money, the syncopation over the verses mutating into solid snare action for the chorus. This would be at home on any jukebox the world over.

Next up, Speak Too Soon has an NYC swagger and dense haunting vibe, enhanced by the semitone shifts in the progression. An unusual composition, but in safe hands.

Piece Of Work works a blue-collar lyric in a Life-Is-Hard vein. At least romantically. Fine city-streets songsmithery, indeed. Hook In You has a filthy and desolate ambience. Neat use of reverbs on this blues-rock outing. Not to mention the E-Bow. Then Montague Terrace which is the doomy Scott Walker tune, delivered with apposite gravity and relish of the poetry. It’s such a great inclusion in the programme. Ghostly Slick legato notes float through the mist. Cloud Cuckoo Land puts us back in twanging rocker territory, evoking Long Black Cadillac and suchlike numbers. Nimble bass underpins the whole.

Strange Kinda Taste is strident country rock, served spikily and well sung by Matlock whilst Chill really swings along, catchy as anything. Couldn’t Give A Damn has fabulous drumming and a Creedence tempo. Finally Keep On Pushing throws us into a supercharged Stonesy mode and Matlock’s uplifting singing to the fore.

As sharp and tuneful a rock album as anyone could ever wish for – Good To Go is a ton more nourishing than anything Deliveroo can bring you, so a recommended purchase.

Pete Sargeant