From 1967’s single ‘Pictures Of Matchstick Men’, to its 30th studio album, Quid Pro Quo, set for release on May 30th (only through Tesco outlets), regardless of your opinion of the band, it is due no less than every ounce of praise that can be heaped upon it. Comprising of two CDs, the second of which contains ten tracks and is entitled ‘Official Bootleg - Greatest Hits Live’, ‘The Quo’ continues its systematic assault on the pop charts.

The primary CD consists of 14 brand new tracks and an updated 2010 version of ‘In The Army Now’, which possesses an inevitable resonance for our Armed Forces posted on various overseas missions at the moment. There are no real surprises, as the band, still fronted by Francis Rossi and Rick Parfitt, remains an institution in its own right. According to Mr Rossi, “We have teamed up with other British institutions in the past, including Coronation Street and the Armed Forces. We are immensely proud of our new songs and wanted to ensure that the new album reached as many people as possible. Working with Tesco achieves that aim.”

If you have not taken advantage of the FREE download (available since 20th April) of ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll ‘n’ You’, it is the second track on the CD and has been receiving decent airplay from both the BBC and commercial radio stations nationwide. The overall sound is what we have come to expect from Status Quo over the years. Unmistakable from its vocals or musicality, you would have to lived, devoid of music, on a desert island for the past forty-odd years not to recognise the Rossi/Parfitt warblings, which remain as strong as ever.

Unafraid of the marketing that can surround commercial bands, an additional limited run of 1,000 deluxe boxed sets is available worldwide, 500 of which are available direct from the band’s official web-site (www.statusquo.co.uk). They contain a vinyl album in a gate-fold sleeve, the 2CD version featuring special artwork and two extra live tracks, a Quo poster, individually numbered ‘Quo Quid’ banknote, a T-shirt and a set of badges, retailing at £50 each. Naturally, the new album is also available as a download.

There is something remarkably friendly, frequently humorous and indisputably charming about Status Quo’s latest offering. While the band feels that it is currently performing at its best level in years, there are still shades of Spinal Tap surrounding it but there are few of us that would blame it for that. The album moves along at a decent pace and is far removed from tedium. Of course, it is a safe format for Status Quo but the band does it so well that I, for one, will not begrudge their on-going success with yet another excellently-produced album, even though it is the first in four years. Rock on!