At the end of the eighties, rock bands had basically forgotten what music was all about, and image had become more important than content. Hence the oncoming of Grunge with a return to the basics, as kids could not identify with what was being fed to them.
Hidden in amongst all the glam with no substance, were a bunch of bands that were doing great rock n roll and trying things a little differently. Bang Tango’s follow up to this album, Dancing On Coals, is a killer record where they pushed the envelope. So what about this album? How does it stack up? Well sure, they have the image (although not as overtly over the top as others), but the tunes are where it’s at.
Attack Of Life has an almost Zeppelin vibe to the sleazed out grooves. Someone Like You shows that the band could write a catchy hook and chorus – with an added bonus of some great guitar. Wrap My Wings is a sleazed and grooved up Tom Waits style barroom rocker. I love the bass line to the intro of Breaking Up A Heart Of Stone, and the vocal is very Billy Idol. Side 1 closes out with Shotgun Man, and whereas I like the riff, I’m not too keen of the vocal on this one.
Side 2 opens up with Don’t Stop Now, which has a nice descending chord pattern – this track is very Hollywood. Love Injection mixes the sleaze with the funk, and it works really well. It’s “let’s please the record company” time next with the ballad, Just For You. The best track on the album is next with Do What You’re Told, which starts with a killer funky bass and guitar groove. If any of you have heard the Electric Boys, you’ll know where this song is going. The album closes out with Sweet Little Razor and sees the band doing their best Guns N Roses impression.
It’s a decent enough record, but if I were to buy only on Bang Tango album it would be Dancing On Coals.
8/10 from The Grooveman.
