Crazy Lixx-Riot Avenue

Frontiers
2012

This is the third album from Sweden's Crazy Lixx. I remember when their debut received quite a bit of hype as have a lot of recent glam bands from Sweden. Although I don't think any of these bands have quite exploded like many people predicted they would four or five years ago. Back to Crazy Lixx. They have a definite Def Leppard mixed with sleaze rock sound. This time around they have definitely made an effort to put some rock into their approach. Now this album is at times more subtle than I wish it were. However they do manage to cut loose to some extent with tracks like the AC/DC inspired "In the night" and the punchy "Be Gone". Mostly you get more mid-tempo rockers with simple yet catchy choruses. The album definitely heats up as it goes along. When they finished the album with the slow "Only the dead know" I was shaking my head because I prefer an album to end on a more powerful note, but the vocals helped this song to be strong. There is some definite growth in their writing this time around. Not everything clicks, but overall they take some chances and most of them work out. This isn't quite the explosion I was hoping for and like most younger glam bands they still have not quite formed their own identity, but it's a fun album that I felt myself warming up to a little more each time I played it.

Crazy Lixx-New Religion

Frontiers
2010

If you have been paying attention to the Swedish hard rock scene in recent years then you undoubtedly know there has been a whole slew of bands pouring out of that country. Many of them share one thing in common and that is a love of the kind of glam/hard rock that was so popular back in the 1980's/early 90's. Specific influences vary, but Motley seem to be a main source for many of these acts. Crazy Lixx are certainly at the forefront of this scene, but they take a slightly approach. It's very much the 80's but more AOR/hard rock infused with some sleaze style hooks. Post Pyromania Def Leppard and Danger Danger are the top bands that come to mind or a tighter version of Trixie might be a fair comparison for starters. Where Crazzy Lixx excel is in their smooth execution. They know how to piece together catchy choruses and their timing is sharp. Musician/producer extraordinaire Chris Laney handled the production duties on this one and he certainly gave it a professional touch. Fans of hard rock from twenty years ago are going to reach for this one. I have laid some praise on this band and they deserve it, but I have to flip the coin over and examine the other side. Which is they play it too safe to really impress me. There are no real surprises and they take no chances. It probably relies on taste, but for current glam bands I tend to prefer acts like Leaded Fuel and Panzer Princess who have a bit more of an edge to them. I was hoping to hear some of that from Crazy Lixx, but they rely more on a tight structure with plenty of polish. It's a good album, but not one that I am going to be reaching for all that often.