In celebration of their 40th Anniversary (1984-2024), legendary British AOR rock band, FM, have released their fourteenth studio album, Old Habits Die Hard. In celebration, the band share a visualizer for the song, "Whatever It Takes". Watch below:
Following 2022’s Thirteen album, Old Habits Die Hard was delayed slightly by keyboard player Jem Davis’ cancer diagnosis (thankfully he’s now received the all-clear) and then by the sudden passing of FM’s founding guitarist Chris Overland (Steve’s brother), which hit the band hard.
Over the past 12 months, during their extensive touring schedule, FM produced the album themselves and recorded the bulk of it at their own Dale View and Electric Pepperland recording studios.
Opening track and first single “Out Of The Blue” was a song that originated from keyboard player Jem Davis. Says Jem, “The band love the music of Toto and Foreigner and so I tried to put those influences into one track. ‘Once Steve got involved and started singing it, I knew that we were onto something special.”
“'Out Of The Blue' is a song that old school FM fans will really latch on to,” says Steve. “So far, the reaction to the track has been amazing.”
“Whatever It Takes” and “No Easy Way Out” are typical FM melodic tracks and could fit seamlessly on to one of the bands earlier classic albums. Bass player and founder member Merv Goldsworthy explains, “No Easy way Out has the big typical FM chorus. It’s a massive hook. The kind of thing that we’ve become known for. It’s one of my favourites on the album.”
The heavier side of the album is represented by “Lost,” “Another Day in My World,” and “Leap of Faith.” Whilst more hard hitting, these songs embody the catchy melodic choruses that FM are known for.
“Cut Me Loose,” “California,” and “Blue Sky Mind” are poppier, more feelgood tracks. “Blue Sky Mind” was conceived again by keyboard player Jem Davis who originally wrote the song about his experience with his cancer diagnosis. ‘That song really was therapy for me. It was important that I got it out of my system and into music,” says Jem.
“Black Water” is a brooding, bluesy track that grows and grows. ‘This is a real favourite of mine,” says FM guitarist, Jim Kirkpatrick. “I could hear Brian May playing the guitar solo, so I pulled out my Brian May signature guitar and tried to do my best impersonation of him. Hopefully, I got somewhere close.”
Signed CDs can be ordered here. All other streaming and physical orders can be found here.
Tracklisting:
"Out Of The Blue"
"Don't Need Another Heartache"
"No Easy Way Out"
"Lost"
"Whatever It Takes"
"Black Water"
"Cut Me Loose"
"Leap of Faith"
"California"
"Another Day On My World"
"Blue Sky Mind"
Japan bonus track:
"Whatever It Takes" (Acoustic)
“Don’t Need Another Heartache” video:
"Out Of The Blue" video:
FM previously announced their “Old Habits Die Hard” 40th Anniversary Tour. Find the complete tour itinerary and ticket links at fmofficial.com.
Band lineup:
Steve Overland – Vocals, Guitar
Merv Goldsworthy – Bass Guitar
Pete Jupp – Drums
Jem Davis – Keyboards
Jim Kirkpatrick – Guitar
(Photo - Paul Stuart Hollingsworth)
