Band : If Only
Album title : No Bed Of Roses
Label : Avenue Of Allies – Connecting Music
Distributor : Bertus
Release Date : 10/06/2011
Release : CD

This album is just another of these well hidden gems, that in inner circles might be talked about a lot, but which sadly enough just wasn’t available for the great public until now. 

The band started back in 1988, with on vocals Lorraine Bennington.  Sadly enough after just one show she left the band, to be replaced by Jackie Bodimead (ex Girlschool)  It was with her on vocals that the album was recorded, but Jackie also left the band.  With grunge at that time getting bigger, in came Tina Egan as new vocalist.  She had to re-record the entire vocals, so finally the album was finished in 1992, and released in…. Japan.  Only in 1994 was there a European release, after which the album soon disappeared.  The band itself also called it a day in the early 90s.
Although this is a genuine British band, few people would believe this, as they sound as US as any real US band could. Musically I would call this a mix between Heart, but whereas Heart has probably had their greatest successes with ballads, though they were a real rock band (take the ‘Barracuda’ song for instance), If Only stick more to their rock roots.  I would even say that at times I hear some Cheetah in their songs.

This re-release contains 5 bonus tracks compared to the original album, four of which are with Jackie Bodimead on vocals. A very good album, that deserved a better fate.  Sadly Tina Egan won’t be able to see that their album finally gets the showcase it deserved, as she died in 1999.

90/100

Erik Morren.