Firebird - Deluxe

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Review by Adegboyega Lawal

Deluxe by Firebird: A Gritty, Genre-Bending Ride That’ll Knock Your Socks Off If you’re into music that doesn’t sit still—something that jumps from bluesy swagger to stoner metal heaviness and back again—you need to check out Deluxe by Firebird. Released in 2001 (yeah, it’s a bit of an older gem), this album feels like someone threw a bunch of genres into a blender and hit “puree.” Pop/rock? Sure. Blues rock? Absolutely. Stoner metal? Heck yeah. Heavy metal? Yep. Hard rock? Double yep. It’s all here, folks. The band hails from Europe but managed to make waves across the US, UK, Japan—the whole shebang. Labels like Music For Nations and The End Records clearly saw something special in them. And honestly? They were right. Let’s dive into two tracks that really stuck with me because, let’s face it, no one has time for a full-album breakdown these days. --- Track 1: “Miles From Nowhere” This song kicks off the record with a vibe so raw it almost feels illegal. Bill Steer (you might know him from Carcass—yeah, that Bill Steer) brings his A-game on vocals and guitar, while Leo Smee lays down some seriously groovy basslines. What makes this track unforgettable is how it builds tension without ever losing its cool. The harmonica solo? Wildly unexpected but totally works. Like, who even thinks to put a harmonica in a heavy rock tune anymore? Firebird does, apparently, and they pull it off like pros. By the end, you’re left wondering if you just heard a desert road trip anthem or the soundtrack to a gritty Western movie. Either way, it’s gold. --- Track 2: “Hammer & Tongs” Oh man, where do I start with this beast? This track hits harder than your ex’s new relationship status update. Ludwig Witt absolutely crushes it on drums and percussion, giving the whole thing a thunderous backbone. Meanwhile, Berno Paulsson sneaks in some organ work on track 5 (wait, wait—is this the same song? I think so?) that adds this eerie, almost cinematic layer. The riffs are thick enough to choke on, and yet there’s this weird sense of melody lurking underneath all the chaos. You can tell Firebird wasn’t interested in playing it safe here—they wanted to smash stuff. Mission accomplished. --- Why Does This Album Stick? Listening to Deluxe feels like hanging out with a group of friends who refuse to take themselves too seriously but still have mad skills. The production quality, handled by Berno Paulsson and mastered by Göran Finnberg, keeps things tight without sucking out the soul. Charles Raymond’s artwork and Maya Stocks’ photography give the whole package this retro-meets-modern aesthetic that matches the music perfectly. And look, maybe part of why this album sticks with me is because it refuses to be boxed in. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, it flips the script. One minute you’re nodding along to a slow blues jam; the next, you’re headbanging like it’s 1973. --- Final Thought: Here’s the kicker—Firebird isn’t reinventing the wheel with Deluxe, but damn if they don’t make it spin faster and louder than anyone else around. If you dig bands like Clutch or early Deep Purple, this is gonna be right up your alley. Honestly, listening to this album feels like finding $20 in an old jacket pocket—it’s a pleasant surprise you didn’t know you needed until it was already making your day better. Now go crank it up. Your neighbors will hate you, but hey, art comes at a price.

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: firebird-deluxe.zip
  • MP3 size: 84.6 mb
  • FLAC size: 1044 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Hammer & Tongs3:47
Slow Blue’s3:18
Miles from Nowhere5:17
Dirt Trap3:15
Sad Man's Quarter4:09
Working Man5:43
Miles From Nowhere5:17
Zoltana3:42
Steamroller5:5
Sinner Takes All4:8
Hammer 03:49
Sad Man’s Quarter4:09
Slow Blues3:18
Lonely & Sober3:45
Hammer & Tongs3:49
Lonely & Sober3:46
Forsaken3:35
Sad Man's Quarter4:7

Images

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Catalog Numbers

  • CDMFN267
  • VICP-61364
  • 88697066172
  • MFN267
  • TE248-2

Labels

  • Music For Nations
  • The End Records

Listen online

  • online anhören
  • kuunnella verkossa
  • ascolta in linea
  • online luisteren
  • lyssna på nätet
  • escuchar en línea
  • écouter en ligne
  • lytte på nettet
  • ouvir online

Formats

  • CD
  • Promo
  • Cardboard
  • Album
  • Reissue
  • Vinyl
  • LP

Companies

RoleCompany
Distributed ByRough Trade Distribution
Phonographic Copyright (p)Music For Nations
Copyright (c)Music For Nations
Pressed ByTechnicolor
Recorded AtBerno Studio
Manufactured ByVictor Entertainment, Inc.
Record CompanyVictor Entertainment, Inc.
Licensed FromSony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd.

Credits

RoleCredit
BassLeo Smee
DesignMaya Stocks
Photography ByMaya Stocks
DrumsLudwig Witt
PercussionLudwig Witt
EngineerJohan Axelsson
GuitarBill Steer
VocalsBill Steer
HarmonicaBill Steer
IllustrationCharles Raymond
Mastered ByGöran Finnberg
ProducerBerno Paulsson, Firebird
Written-BySteer
ArtworkCharles Raymond
OrganBerno Paulsson (tracks: 5)

Notes

  • comes in a cardboard sleeve.
  • All tracks copyright control.
  • Manufactured in the EU.
  • Recorded at Berno Studio, Malmo
  • Track 11 is a Rush cover
  • Japanese edition comes with extra booklet [bio] & OBI strip.
  • Made in the EU.

Barcodes

  • Barcode (Printed): 5 016583 126728
  • Mastering SID Code (Variant 1 & 2): IFPI L122
  • Mould SID Code (Variant 1): ifpi 2324
  • Mould SID Code (Variant 2): ifpi 2308
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 1): E3398 CDMFN 267 01 Technicolor
  • Matrix / Runout (Variant 2): E3398 CDMFN 267 01 1:0 Technicolor
  • Label Code: LC 08527
  • Barcode (Printed): 8 86970 66172 0
  • Label Code: LC 13989
  • Barcode: 5016583126711
  • Matrix / Runout (Side A scratched): MFN-267LP-A-1 DMM
  • Matrix / Runout (Side B scratched): MFN-267LP-B-1 DMM
  • Barcode (Text): 6 54436 02482 8
  • Barcode (Scanned): 654436024828

About Firebird

Rock band from London, UK. Currently signed with . Formed in 1999, disbanded 2011. Current Members: Bill Steer Ludwig Witt

Members

  • Leo Smee
  • Bill Steer
  • Ludwig Witt
  • Alasdair Steer
  • Tom Sutton
  • Roger Nilsson
  • George \"Jolle\" Atlagic
  • Smok Smoczkiewicz

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know that the album *Deluxe* by Firebird is like a musical chameleon? It blends genres like Pop/Rock, Blues Rock, Stoner Metal, Heavy Metal, and Hard Rock, showing off its versatility. Released in 2001 across Europe, the US, the UK, and even Japan, it’s got some serious global appeal. What’s wild is how Bill Steer, known for his guitar skills, also takes on vocals, harmonica, and songwriting duties. And fun fact—there’s even an organ solo on track 5, courtesy of producer Berno Paulsson. The album feels like a journey, with tracks like "Miles from Nowhere" and "Sad Man’s Quarter" showing up more than once, almost like they’re reminding you to pay attention.

Comments

tssewingsuite
2025-03-14
The band's 2001 album, Deluxe, is a replica of their debut with some harmonica guests. Talk about British imitating Americans!