Do you remember that feeling you had when you played the first Van Halen record? You know the one! Where you could not believe what you were hearing and that rock n’ roll would never be the same again. Well, these guys had that same feeling only about thirty years later. Except they wanted to emulate it and make something similar of their own. These guys really are freakin’ cooking!
For a first album this is one hell of a record. Led by the talents of one Jacob Deraps on vocals and lead guitar this is one type of record you thought you’d never hear again. After the short intro burst of Invasion, the album burst into life with Sex Drugs And Rock N’ Roll a straight Hot For Teacher-style blast that will have you going “WTF” instantly. Killer tune. My Side Of Town would make a great single if it was 1984. Great tune based around a simple riff with a superb hook and chorus.
Live Fast Die Slow is a blues based groover with a killer swing and epic solo. It’s favourite track time next with Veins Of My Heart. Absolute killer tune and this is as close as you get to a perfect rock song. A hook and chorus to die for, a crunching riff with epic tone, and a top drawer solo. Side 1 closes out with a short but great acoustic intro piece called Elizabeth.
Make Ya Groove kicks off Side 2 with a latin-style crunch riff with a matching groove, and I love the middle eight. Wild To The Woman follows and this one has that dirty rock n’ roll vibe with a monster guitar tone. On My Mind is next and again has a slight latin feel with great harmonies. F***k Off is the penultimate tune and this is a full on foot to the floor rocker. The riff is a speed ball blast and the solo ditto. The album closes out with a cover of the Sweet classic Ballroom Blitz and I’m glad to report they do it justice and add their little bit of pizzaz.
Not a bad first album that’s for sure.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
