Sometimes in life, all you need is some sleazy hard rock from a band that has too many X’s in their name.
And I’ll tell you what brought this on before I actually get to the review: I was at a cricket match a few weeks ago – my lot managed to lose somehow, but I digress.
There were two matches, and in between them they had some DJ doing… whatever it is you call what they do. All I know is that his “set” was 40 torturous minutes, and there were probably 20 people clapping when he’d finished. He’s had some big hits apparently, but even the kids didn’t seem to care less about him.
Fast forward 90 minutes, and about halfway through the match the music over the PA included Bon Jovi. There were some kids behind me screaming “Livin’ on a Prayer” for all they were worth – they couldn’t have been more than 15 – and you can’t help but smile.
Come the nuclear apocalypse, all that’s going to survive are the cockroaches and hard rock.
Basically, “Thrill of the Bite” imagines a world where it’s always 1986 somewhere, and it’s all the better for it.
“Highway Hurricane” – like early Def Leppard with its metal edge and harmonies stacked high – is impossible not to love if you’ve ever loved hard rock. There’s even a spot of cowbell.
“Who Said Rock N Roll Is Dead?” Answer: everyone who hasn’t a clue. It’s as unapologetic as it gets.
“Little Miss Dangerous” is a beauty. It even starts with a solo, and is sleazy and innocent at the same time. Make no mistake – this is incredibly well done.
“Call of the Wild” brims with energy, and guitarists Jens Lundgren and Chrisse Olsson are in top form throughout, but never better than on “Recipe for Revolution,” which has a real swagger.
And if you fancy more cowbell, the new drummer has you sorted on the classic-sounding “Run Run Wild.” Honestly, if this had come out in 1990, it wouldn’t have been off Headbangers Ball.
Like all this type of glam rock – and I’ll be damned if this site will ever call it “hair metal” – Crazy Lixx understand that the real fun happens when the sun goes down. “Midnight Rebels” has a chorus that promises all kinds of fun, and if “Hunt for Danger” is a ballad, then there’s little doubt that if there’s any mischief about, these boys can find it.
At least that’s the air of “Final Warning” anyway, and “Stick It Out” arguably saves the best for last – or at the very least, it’s the work of men who have stuck with it throughout.
Look, this sort of music was meant to die when Kurt loaded up on firearms and gave his mates a ring. At least, that’s the cliché. It’s nonsense, by the way.
These are still crazy nights, and you can Lixx it up.
