This is technically this Swedish band’s first album, released back in ’89. Although, a different version of this album was recorded under the name Kingpin instead of Shotgun Messiah and released a year earlier in Sweden. The opening track Welcome To Bop City was a hit in Sweden. For the album however, it was just called Bop City and is a full on sleaze/glam rock anthem.
The best track on the album is Don’t Care About Nothin’. A kick ass uptempo rocker with a great riff, and a hook and chorus that are so infectious. Add to that a monster solo and it’s winner winner chicken dinner. That’s not to say the rest of the album is bad, no anything but. In fact, I would say this is one of the forgotten gems of the late eighties glam rock scene.
Shout It Out for instance, reminds you of Lick It Up era Kiss complete with a killer guitar player by the name of Harry K Kody, who can really play. The last track on Side 1 is an instrumental showcasing Mr. Kody’s talents to the full and it’s a joint favourite tune. There are plenty of the anthem style stompers as well to keep the glam crowd happy, with Dirty Talk being a brine example.
If you love the glam side of things then you can’t go wrong.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
