This is Saigon Kick’s third album, and if you believe some of the media reviews, this was the runt of the family. Over the three albums the band initially released, they changed a lot. Starting off within the “hair metal” brigade, then evolved into something a whole lot more. By the time this album came out they were a three piece with Jason Bieler being the main focus on guitar and vocals.
One Step Closer opens up the album and it’s clear the sound has progressed with a riff and groove reminiscent of Kings X. Superb tune! A cover of Bowie’s Space Oddity follows, and I have to say it’s one of the better versions I have heard. Jason’s voice just fits perfectly. The title track follows and is such a beautiful piece set to a sparse programmed instrumentation. Torture has a delicious, deep, heavy sounding riff with such killer melodic vocals, and a ripping solo. Fields Of Rape has a slow, almost country vibe to parts of the tune, with a short but awesome solo. We end Side 1 with I Love You which starts a bit like a child’s lullaby and is a love song to someone most dear.
Sgt Steve opens up Side 2 and I guess by design, it feels like the Beatles. My Hearts starts with a pounding native beat, with a fat guitar riff and vocal melody over the top. A very striking sound. On And On has a great funky groove to the main hook, with hints of the Police in there as well. The Way is an oh so slow, almost blues vibe, and it feels like The Black Keys before they were a thing. Sentimental Girl is a fun hard rock ragtime tune that feels a lot like Queen at their most adventurous. Close To You, again has those native drums and a vocal that sounds like The Cult. When You Were Mine follows and those Sgt Pepper vibes are strong with a huge sounding string section. The album closes out with Reprise, a short book ending piece.
If you follow Jason Bieler on the web, it’s obvious that this was his baby as everything he has done after this has been a take off point. This is not an immediate catch on record, it takes time to sink in. Great band!
9/10 from The Grooveman.
