Setting the grounds for their upcoming new album, "Rockville", via Riff City Records, the veteran AOR rocking British crew of FM return with a swift message of what us the fans are about to exhibit on their new album with a decent EP named "Only Foolin'", away from their usual home label. Yet, this is not any normal kind of EP. It might consist of three tracks never released, including a re-recorded version of the original track "Shot In The Dark", which as I found out was written by FM for Ozzy Osbourne for the "Original Sin" album in 1986, but it also has six live tracks of several of the band's hits produced in high quality as if it those were made in the studio. Basically, FM tried to broaden the selection for their listeners along with the new songs, not that they needed to with those extras.

Frankly I didn't begin to wonder about it after checking out that clown of their on the artwork, mainly because that since day one FM, gradually at least, have been consistent with their Rock style. Playing it straight up with deep 80s and late 70s attributes, delivering a softer touch filled with freedom and love, there have been blinks towards Boogie and Blues, but those have merely been captured as miniature elementals, pieces that were made to assert additional buzz to their Rockish venture. With consistency as the band's ace in the deck, along with being elegant with their musical style, they had "Only Foolin'", a solid track, by the book of AOR, with a positive kind of atmosphere, even if somewhat cheesy and sticky, bearing simplistic riffing, classy vocals and easy living rhythms. I liked "Rainbow's End" better as it seemed a bit more interesting, slightly constructive with great riffs, swell soloing and great vocals. "Shot In The Dark" turned quite good though I would rather enjoy the spikes of the Metallic version.

I would rather not dwell on the live outputs as I believe that fans that have tuning the band all these years would have possibly seen them or know these songs by heart. For the newer listeners and fans of the band, it would a fine experience, in particular "Let Love Be The Leader". In that note, take a listen to this EP and expect the upcoming release.