Joe Bouchard-The Power Of Music

Self-Release/Independent
2016

Just released on April 29th and serving as an absolute must-have for classic rock fans both old and young(!), "The Power Of Music" is the latest (and arguably greatest!) solo recording from one time Blue Öyster Cult member (and superb musician in his own right!!) Joe Bouchard. This spectacular full-length album (which is Joe Bouchard's forth solo recording since 2010) features seven new numbers and two choice covers. It also serves as the proper follow-up to 2014's "New Solid Black". The album opens strong with the classic rock thunder of "Walk With The Devil" all but stealing the show and from there it is just one ace track after another until "Career of Evil" closes things out in style! Written by the poet Patti Smith and Joe's own brother Albert (who was a founding member of Blue Öyster Cult), "Career of Evil" is just one of many classic B.O.C. songs that still rule rock radio and it is given special consideration by Bouchard on his new solo album. Simply put it works on so many levels, but then again you could say the exact same thing when it comes to the original material that makes up the bulk of Joe Bouchard's "The Power Of Music". In addition to the splendid title track (which sounds as if it could have been written by B.O.C. sometime in the seventies!) and the aforementioned "Walk With The Devil" (I love this great rock track!!) you've got the wild and fun ride that is "Is He The Wolfman". This first-rate song is old-time rock and roll number with a nice and spooky horror/Sci Fi vibe and it shows just how talented and creative this multi-instrumentalist is! Other stand-out numbers from this former B.O.C. member include "Story Of The Blues Project" (more old fashioned rock and roll, but this time with a nice blue twist!), "36 Strings" (a laid back number with an easy does it feel to it), and "Photographic Evidence" (another number that sounds as if it could have easily been written by B.O.C. during the seventies!). When it's all said and down "The Power Of Music" is a hell of a good rock and roll album from Joe Bouchard and it makes for a great (as in solid gold!) addition to one's classic rock collection.

The Graviators-Motherload

Napalm Records
2014


Sweden's The Graviators, who first formed back in 2009 before releasing their first self-titled full-length release the same year, are another (newish) act that chooses to stretch the boundaries of modern day doom.On their upcoming new album "Motherload", which is the group's forth overall full-length album and first in two years (the last one being 2012's "Evil Deeds"), the band takes up the challenge of giving doom metal a proper once-over and, thanks to the addition of stoner rock and classic rock/seventies hard rock, they do a pretty fly job at it one must say! Fronted by one Niklas Sjöberg(also of Swedish stoner metal outfit NYMF) the band could best be described as a loose and easy Black Sabbath/Trouble hybrid attempting to spread their magical wings and fly away!  Aside from the questionable lyrical-content (more occult and witchcraft silliness) this band does it right with Martin Fairbanks (also of NYMF and ex-Clandestine) providing post-Tony Iommi leads and a HEAVY rhythm section of Johan Holm (bass) and Henrik Bergman (drums, formerly of High in Fungoid Void) drawing to mind not only Black Sabbath's famous bass & drum duo, but also the back-beat of the band Iron Man! Alongside great new material like "Leifs Last Breath / Dance of the Valkyrie", "Narrow Minded Bastards" and "Tigress of Siberia" (and that's just the opening part of this full-length release!) the band opted to include a special bonus in the form of of a re-recorded "Druid´s Ritual"! Originally released on the group's 2011 limited-edition split with Brutus it's a great way to close out album number four from this doom metal collective!  The Graviators have done well with "Motherload". Whether we're talking about HEAVY doom rockers like "Bed Of Bitches" and "Corpauthority", twisted and evil epic numbers like the 9 minute long "Eagles Rising" (dig the vox on this one!) or a track like "Lost Lord" (where the band inhales everything that early seventies psychedelic rock had to offer!) this is one album that should be on the radar of every doom metal and stoner rock fanatic! As the first The Graviators release that I've heard start to finish I must say that I was more then impressed! Another addition to my best of 2014 list, "Motherload" is already rocking my world and I will most certainly be looking to add a CD copy of this little gem to my personal collection as soon as it is released at the end of this month!

Matt Boroff-Sweet Hand Of Fate

Self-Release/Independent
2014

Matt Boroff, an American-born, Austria-based artist whose musically career started out in the Nineties, has had a long career during which time he's played with the likes of Nirvana, Bad Brains, Queens of the Stone Age, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Calexico. On "Sweet Hand Of Fate", the follow-up to his 2012, four-track EP, "Filling in the Cracks", he set out to create a record that had "the flavor, the tone, the mood of some of the films that I've found inspiring, like the work of David Lynch, Stanley Kubrick, Quentin Tarantino, Federico Fellini and many more". Further more he goes on to state "I basically wanted to craft an album  I didn't necessarily want to create a film soundtrack, but rather songs that could become films in your mind's eye". All of that goes a far way towards describing the mood of an album like "Sweet Hand Of Fate". For the most part Matt ends up performing the bulk of the instrumentation on this sublime album and from opener "Lost" (a slow, lumbering classic rock-infused number that merges Zeppelin with Neil Young all while keenly piling on the distortion) onward his talent continues to astound you! For a songwriter/musician who began his career playing experimental noise-rock you'd never know it by cuts like "My Black Heart" and "Here In Limbo". The former teeters on psychedelic rock while the latter makes good use of classic rock and roll and hard rock riffs. And those are merely the first few tracks of "Sweet Hands Of Fate". That said, the reference to hard rock riffs and a post-metallic backdrop, this one is far from being a heavy metal platter and those expecting as much would most likely be let down. Instead this is darkly-tinted rock with an almost autobiographically-spin to it. There are plenty of twists and turns to be had across the grooves of this record as Matt Boroff, in a way in which the deck is both stacked and stripped to it's bare minimum requirement, plays from his heart while conspiring with his misery! A release like "Sweet Hand Of Fate" is a testament to what can be accomplished when one man cuts open his (philosophical) heart and spills the contents out into the open for all too see. While his last release was viewed as a "mini-album that connected the dots between the musical imagery of Elevator Ride and the atmospherics of Reaching for Sparks" this full-length album is a touch harder to define given that kind of open honestly and everything that went into the recording process. With moments of Zeppelin and Young and the incredible variety of misc. influences that seem to have found there way into the mix of "Sweet Hand Of Fate" (I picked up on everything from Iron Butterfly to Nick Cave to Screaming Trees to Morrissey as well as artists/acts like The The, John Fogerty, The Cult, David Bowie,  and The Cramps!) this album, while dark and drenched is both physical and philosophical distortion, was an absolute joy of a listening experience. Even with the expansive (and frankly odd) influences that come into play on "Sweet Hand Of Fate" this is a special, one of a kind, album that sounds unlike anything I've heard it a very long time!

Electric Age-Electric Age

Divebomb Records
2013

Last October Divebomb Records, which is a division of Tribunal Records, announced the arrival of a new series called "Divebomb Bootcamp". Initially the Bootcamp series was set-up so that it could "pay homage to seminal record label, Combat Records, and the vinyl 12" releases they originally issued back in the late 80's bearing the same moniker". Translated that means that the series would be used to highlight long thought lost gems of the hard rock and heavy metal underground. We're talking about unreleased albums, lost-sessions and demo recordings from misc. bands. These releases would be strictly-limited to a mere 500 copies and they would include a smorgasbord of cool extras like brand new artwork, full-color booklets with previously unavailable pictures and even new interviews with the bands! All of which is fine by me. Especially seeing as there are more then enough (extremely worthy) "lost" recordings floating around out there to keep a series like this going strong for years and years to come! But, here's the thing. While Divebomb Records might have started off with the notion that they would just unearth lost gems, which again is a damn fine idea all around, somewhere along the way a new idea popped into their heads. Why not use this series as a way to (also) highlight new and exciting, up-and-coming bands that might not otherwise get a chance to step up and shine in the spotlight? Solid idea right? All of which brings us to the aptly-titled Electric Age and this recently released six-track EP. Despite calling Brazil home, and (overall) being from the wrong-time period, this young outfit sounds remarkable British in their approach to seventies rock. Yes, I said seventies rock. Probably the only thing that would give this one away (in regards to it being from the here and now and not the late seventies) would be the more modern production. Otherwise this limited edition CD (we're talking about only 500 copies boys and girls with this sweet EP so you might not want to drag your feet on snagging this one up!) sounds as if it was ripped straight out time and dropped right into the laps of those of us who long for a time when rock and roll was still real and not so "artificial". Lead by the rustic vocals of (rock star in the making) Junior Rodrigues, whose soulful and heartfelt voice sets the stage for what is to come early on with Rainbow meets Uriah Heap rocker "Rise", Electric Age rolls through their Divebomb Records' debut-release with the cruise control set firmly on ROCK! And rock this band does! Cuts like the Rainbow-flavored "Dreamer" and the UFO-inspired "All Night Long" offer up hope real rock and roll is still more then ready and willing to kick down the doors of the establishment and give modern radio rock the old heave-ho that it rightly deserves! Sure, "All Night Long" might also have a bit of (early) G 'N R going for it, but at the end of the day this is a band that is more rooted in the likes of  Rainbow, Uriah Heep, Deep Purple, Blue Öyster Cult (bits and pieces of "Echoes Of Insanity" show a clear love for the more straight-ahead rock style of late eighties B.Ö.C and, yes, it is awesome!) and even Sweet (see "Good Times Are Coming") then late eighties/early nineties hard rock! In fact when you hear a track like "Snake Eater" it's not too surprising to find out that the band began life as a Deep Purple tribute act. Besides being custom-crafted arena rockers, meaning AOR lovers should stand up and take notice, both "Snake Eater" and it's follow-up number, "Echoes Of Insanity", sound as if they could be long-lost Deep Purple numbers! A lot of that goes back to the skillful playing of guitarist Luiz Felipe Cardim whose rock riffs make a release like "Electric Age" sizzle! Together with Junior Rodrigues (and let's not forget the lethal rhythm section of bassist Otavio Cintra and drummer Nico "The Boss") guitarist Luiz Felipe Cardim cuts a clear a clear path through the mess that passes for rock and roll these days. The fact is if numbers like "Snake Eater", "Echoes Of Insanity", "All Night Long" and "Dreamer" don't make you believe in the healing powers of rock and roll again then you might want to check your pulse as you're probably dead! This EP, with it's full-color, 12 page booklet(!) serving as nothing short of a spicy addition, is a must for those who love real rock and roll especially the classics!


http://tribunalrecords.bigcartel.com/product/electric-age-electric-age 

REO Speedwagon-Live at Moondance Jam

Frontiers Records
2013

When it comes to acknowledging my wide-range of tastes I've never been one to to simply shy away. Whether it's with movies (musicals to horror flicks) or in this case music (ABBA to Napalm Death) I have always tried to keep an open mind and not hide the fact that I'm just not the sort of fella that you can fit perfectly into some square box! So, if I admit that I have REO Speedwagon in my personal CD collection just roll with it accept it for what it is! With that cat out of the bag let's turn our attention to this CD/DVD combo. Recorded at Minnesota's largest rock festival, "Live at Moondance Jam" comes 30 years after the release of the group's ninth studio-album, "Hi Infidelity". Given that revelation it should come as little to no surprise that the group, which is lead as always by the ageless Kevin Cronin (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano, keyboards), chooses to open this live disc with "Don't Let Go" before rolling out fellow "High Infidelity" tracks "Keep On Loving You", "In Your Letter" (reportedly this is first ever live version of the song!) and "Take It On the Run". Despite the fact that these cuts are now 30 years old they still come across as timeless, but then again shouldn't that always be the case with great rock and roll? If there's one thing to take away from this live recording it's how amazing Kevin Cronin still sounds! As the band runs through classic tracks like "Keep on Loving You," "Take It on the Run," "Can’t Fight This Feeling," "Time for Me to Fly", "Roll with the Changes" and "Ridin' the Storm Out" Kevin proves his worth as one of classic rocks' better front-men and gives REO Speedwagon plenty to cheer about! For a band that (roughly) formed back in the late sixties(!) you would be hard-pressed to realize that given how much youthful energy they pump into a number like "Roll with the Changes"! And then there's the coolness that comes from cuts like "157 Riverside Avenue" (with it's multiple-instrumental solos this is one cut that is awesome when played live!), "Keep Pushin'" and, all the way back from REO Speedwagon's 1972 album, "R.E.O./T.W.O.", "Golden Country". That last number, "Golden Country", is another highlight as it shows off the band's early progressive rock roots and proves that you can change the musical direction of your band and still make respectable music. That's something that the current version of Boston could take a cue from! With Dave Amato on lead guitar, Bruce Hall on bass, Neal Doughty on keyboards and Bryan Hitt on drums this live recording from REO Speedwagon makes for a splendid addition to any fan's collection! As an added bonus both the CD/DVD and CD/Blu-ray editions of "Live at Moondance Jam" feature an interview with REO Speedwagon's lead vocalist Kevin Cronin. For fans that should serve as even more incentive although it's doubtful they would need it!  While this release came as a surprise for me as I didn't actually request it by name (the physical CD/DVD version that is as I had the digital promo already) I'm still glad that I received it in the mail. I'm usually skittish about reviewing only one aspect of releases like this so I'm glad that I was able to preview the whole package together as it helps to be able to both hear and see a band like this perform some of their classic hits. While this one would make for a nice holiday gift I wager that it's a bit late for that idea. Still, this CD/DVD combo is one that I'm recommending for fans both old and young and, even if it would be a tad late for a Christmas present,  it would still be a wonderful gift for that classic rock fan in your life!

Revolution Road-Revolution Road

Avenue Of Allies
2013

Revolution Road, which was a dream project conceived of by producer Alessandro Del Vecchio (Edge Of Forever, Hardline, Lionville, Fergie Frederiksen) and Avenue Of Allies label owner Gregor Klee, is not so much a full-fledged band as it is a vehicle to showcase the talents of Snakes In Paradise/Company Of Snakes vocalist Stefan Berggren. That much should be made clear up front. This ten track, self-titled release was apparently first worked on during the fall and winter of 2011/2012 with (I assume) principle recording taking place this year. Besides lead vocalist Stefan Berggren and Alessandro Del Vecchio (who handles keyboards on the album as well as contributing some fantastic Hammond B3 parts!) the project was helped along by guitarists Carmine Martone & Francesco Marras, bassist Paul Logue (Eden's Curse) and drummer Francesco Jovine (U.D.O., Sapphire Eyes, Hardline, Skill In Veins). Additional personal includes former Snakes In Paradise members/guitarists Stefan Jonsson & Thomas Jaakobsson, guitarist Marcus Jidell (Royal Hunt, Dougie White, Alfonzetti) and Voodoo Circle's Alex Beyrodt (Sinner, Primal Fear) who guests on one of the album's better moments, "Ain't Gonna Give My Heart Away". If my notes are all in order that's the "who" of this album so what is the "what" then? Well, the "band" is self-described as "Classic Hard Rock with a touch of Melodic Rock and AOR". But, as I see it Revolution Road comes across as Journey meets Whitesnake with a Swedish vocalist at the helm! While I'd wager that the band's name, the album's artwork and the label that "Revolution Road" is being released on probably doesn't install a whole lot of confidence in most of our readers there is a few moments when this debut album really takes off. For example, "Losing You" sounds a little like an AOR version of Ratt while "Hold On" is simply smokin' classic rock at it's finest! It would be so easy to be cynical about a album like this (especially as far too many group's these days in the melodic rock/AOR field are as fluffy and fake as Cuddles the fabric softener bear!) there are some good ideas on "Revolution Road" such as the title, the (somewhat) gritty "Take Your Love To Town" and the album's closing number, "Balloon". Of course you will need to be able to appreciate the sounds of AOR, melodic rock, "hair-teased" hard rock and yes, this group's modern take on classic rock (which seems a bit like an oxymoron I'll admit). Also, for every good cut there are some real clunkers on "Revolution Road" like the album's first two tracks, "Wings Of Love" and "Shooting Star," respectively and the obligatory semi-ballad,  "Pretending Hearts". If you can ignore those few misfires then "Revolution Road" is actually an alright album..

The Ragged Saints-The Sound Of Breaking Free

Power Prog (Europe)/Nightmare Records (North America)
2013

There are "rock" albums and then there are albums that "rock". The Finnish collective known as The Ragged Saints fall into that second category with their new 11-track debut-album "The Sound Of Breaking Free". Having laid the ground work with their 2012, 3-track promo, which was also called "The Sound Of Breaking Free" and included not only the title cut, but tracks "Don't Let Me Go" and "While The World Is Burning", I was well-prepared for the notion that this release would be special, but even I could not have foreseen just how good the group's full-length debut-release would be! Formed back in 2012, with the idea of forming a band coming after the band's two guitarists, Tomi Julkunen and Toni Bite (Twilight Ophera), attended a Whitesnake concert, the band would become a reality with the addition of bassist/seasoned veteran Jukka Hoffrén and drummer Miikki Kunttu. The last piece of the puzzle came in the form of lead vocalist and Status Minor front-man Markku Kuikka (Kenziner/ Book of Reflections/ex-Grönholm/ex-Thaurorod/ex-TorneD) whose soaring delivery and stellar showmanship would put The Ragged Saints on the fast-track to stardom! With influences such as Cinderella, Ratt, Whitesnake and Def Leppard playing a part in their early development The Ragged Saints, who also released the track "The Sound Of Breaking Free" as a digital single, had a sound going for them that captured the finer moments of classic hard rock. With the new album though there has been a natural progression and while they were once solely identified as a Whitesnake-like band, which translated means that they indulged the listener's appetite for melodic hard rock at it's best, the new album also finds the band tackling everything from heavy rock ("New Beginnings") to modern AOR ("A Place Where I Belong"). As I first listened to the album I must admit that it seemed as if it was every other song that was really good. The title cut opens things up and it sounds as if the band gave it a spit-shine as I didn't recall it being such a epic rock number! But then it was "A Place Where I Belong" which, at least during the first run-through, came off as good but nothing special. Track three, "Don't Let Go", came up and it was back to killer rock for The Ragged Saints with track number four, the AOR-like "I'll Never Give Up On Love", again coming off as good if nothing special. So yes, I had the fear that this would be one of those records where half of the songs were really cool, but with the other half being, well, decent. But, something happened after track number five, "Love Won't Fade Away", finished up. Suddenly the album gets up and just runs away. The Ragged Saints tore through tracks six-eleven like they were the saviors of rock and roll sent from God himself! At that point I decided to "spin the record' a second time, which was followed by a third time and then forth time (all of which took place yesterday!) and it dawned on me hat stylistically The Ragged Saints were like bands such as Heart, Fleetwood Mac, The Rolling Stones and the Scorpions who wrote their material around the idea of creating a "rock album" and not just "rock singles". So, while there are some cuts that stand out more then others (the excellent "Never Walk Away" being a good example), it's the fact that the album serves as a total-package which makes it so special. Overall there are 11 tracks which do cover a lot of ground from classic hard rock to traditional rock and yes, even AOR, but taken as a whole this is a hell of an album and the sign of mature musicians who just get it. With album number one now out of the way, which (for the record) will be released towards the end of October, The Ragged Saints now can set their sites on new challenges like bringing their music to everyone everywhere.That said, will this Finnish 5-piece be able to capture the attention of both European and American audiences with their debut-album? One would hope so. I certainly hope so. In the meantime though be sure to check out the group's official website and you can read my coverage of their 3-track promo at the link below s well.

http://theraggedsaints.com/
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=the+ragged+saints

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Zodiac-A Hiding Place

Prosthetic Records

2013

 
On album number two, the four members of Germany's rock band Zodiac cover a lot of ground from the album's opening, AC/DC-like, number "Downtown" to "Free" (which features some classic rock guitar playing that wouldn't have felt out of place on Funkadelic's "Maggot Brain") and even "Leave Me Blind", a semi-soft piano-ballad. And they do it all while coming across as a (long time in the making and well-seasoned) veteran act. When you consider the group's true age though, as they were only founded back in 2010 by drummer Janosch Rathmer (Long Distance Calling) and singer/guitarist Nick van Delft, it's all the more impressive I'd dare to argue. Three years on and the pair, which were eventually joined by guitarist Stephan Gall (ex Rocketchief) and bass player Ruben Claro, sound as if they have hit on a winner formula with "A Hiding Place". With the help of producer Martin Meinschäfer (Henrik Freischlader, Donots), who also produced the group's well-received, 2012 debut-album, "A Bit of Devil", the gentlemen in Zodiac release an album that was made by rock musicians for rock fans. While this young group chooses to cover Neil Young's "Cortez The Killer", and in fine fashion I must say, they do come across as a youthful and enthusiastic modern rock band with a sound that (one would think) should bring in today's young generation of rock fans. True, it is their 70's love-feast (with group's like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy and many others serving as a sort of blue-print for Zodiac) that will appeal to most listeners and with good cause. But, rock is an ageless institution so hopefully this talented, up-and-coming act will find fans both young and old. If this album is any indication then these guys are in for even better days ahead.

Gypsy Chief Goliath-New Machines of the Night

Pitch Black Records

2013

 

Faithful readers (all dozen or so of you) might recall that I just covered these guys back in August of this year. Their "Black Samurai" single grabbed hold of my inner groove thing and shook it about like a hungry dog attacking a juicy steak! That sweet soul sister of a single might have been a tad old, which you can read all about at the link below (should you desire), but it sounded fresh and amazing to my ears. It caused me to look for further material that I might have missed and I stumbled upon another one of their tracks on the compilation "Axis Of The Underground Vol.2 Compilation Album". The song on that comp. was "St. Covens Tavern" and it's included on this, the band's second studio album. Of course you can also find that single on Youtube and the compilation might very well still be floating around online as a digital download. But, why mess with all of that when you could just get the song with the new album? And yes, it is another cool slab of stone cold grooves from this Canadian bunch! How so? Well, the band is lead by vocalist/guitarist Al the Yeti Bones (The Mighty Nimbus, Georgian Skull and Mister Bones) and features not only a three guitar attack, but also rustic harmonica playing courtesy of Brodie Stevenson! Brodie gives the band a different, more blues-based, vibe then the bulk of stoner rock bands who can be seen and heard traveling up and down the dusty back-roads of America. Want more information though about what these guys roll out? Imagine this one folks: On a small dirt road somewhere in the middle of anywhere/nowhere U.S.A. classic rock and classic heavy metal converge at a three way stop with Black Sabbath. After exchanging some pleasantries and sharing a pint or two at the only bar for miles and miles the three set off  some mysterious destination. At the end of their strange and bewildering trip they are confronted by the ghost of Phil Lynott who tells them, or rather commands them!, to morph their talents into the gnarliest rock band ever! Before leaving though Phil posses each and every member of this new super trooper act so that no groove will be left uncovered at the next part of their journey. That my friends and fiends is what Gypsy Chief Goliath (GCG) cooks up on their new album! And what's a main dish like that without some tasty side dishes? One of those tasty side dishes is the previously mention three guitars aspect of GCG. As these guys rock hard it helps matters that they are blessed with the skills of guitarists Dave Ljubanovich and Sean Hamilton. Three guitars makes for three times the fun. But, what happens when you also add Sean De Faria and Adam Saitti (bass and drums respectively) into the equation? The answer is simple folks. You end up with a must-own (and most certainly must-blast) collection of blues-based, rocking good times, stoner tunes that take everything you thought you knew about real, cold sweat and colder beer, rock and roll and gives it a much needed face lift! Rarely has stoner rock and roll ever sounded so alive and ready for the world as it does on "New Machines of the Night"!

 

http://metalmark.blogspot.com/search?q=Gypsy+Chief+Goliath-Black+Samurai-Single+ 

Damn Dice-Wild 'n' Ready EP

Self-Release/Independent-Release
2013

Damn Dice, who are clearly living the life of glam metal (their looks alone are a dead giveaway so there's no spoiler to be had), are a fairly new face in the (reborn and booming!) hair metal crowd. Formed in 2001 by brothers Wallis (guitarist) and Fransoa (drummer) this 4-piece hail's from the UK (London to be exact), but their version of glam is clearly fashioned after U.S. acts like Poison, Quiet Riot and Mötley Crüe. Speaking of Mötley Crüe, Vince Neil himself gave this band a hearty thumbs up as did Beau Hill of Beau Hill Productions (Alice Cooper, Europe, Warrant, Stevie Nicks) so there's some lofty praise being thrown this young group's way! Filled out by Alex (vocals) and Marco (bassist) this young band will be releasing their "Wild 'n' Ready" EP later on in October. The cut "Bang Your Head" (no, not the Quiet Riot track) starts off this glittery 6-track EP with the group's first single, "Wild Into The Night", finishing things up. With a video of "Wild Into The Streets" documenting the band's hedonistic lifestyle (there's a link to it below) the guys in Damn Dice look as if they're hungry for fame and eager to move their way to the top of the hair metal mountain!  Let's be fair though and point out that it's not all generic "wine, women and song" glam metal on this EP. Or at least not when it comes to the actual music (the lyrics are another matter all together!). There is an attempt to funnel both classic rock and modern hard rock into their overall character, but listeners are more likely to hear the former then the latter if either at all. It doesn't end there though. Seeing as this band is endowed with "the energy of a 70’s punk band" there does seem to be the spirits of  both The New York Dolls and Hanoi Rocks floating around on "Wild 'n' Ready". Damn Dice's upcoming 6 track EP, which falls under the 30 minute mark, is obviously not perfect as this band does show some growing pains. The vocals of Alex sounded a bit "rough" as if they were either not mixed entirely right or he was simply having an off day. Nothing horrible mind you, but occasionally it just didn't sound quite right. Also, while "Wild Into The Streets" is a good single, this is a young band that will need to tighten up their sound a bit around the edges and/or could benefit from working with a top-notch producer. Listening this this EP you do get the feeling that this is a band that could really EXPLODE if they just had a little help tapping into their full potential. With the backing of a good label and producer these four could easily jump right into the spotlight! You can hear the potential here on this EP. Since this band is loaded to the max with "the energy of a 70’s punk band" the skies the limit for Damn Dice if they listen to their critics and (naturally) continue to seek out their own sound as they grow together as musicians. I'm wishing them nothing but the best and rooting for these guys. While I'm not a huge fan of this sudden resurgence of  the glam metal/hair metal scene there are some good bands coming out it and you can add Damn Dice to that list.

http://damndice.bigcartel.com/product/wild-n-ready-6-track-ep

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CO3Q9rfjj4

The Jokers-Rock & Rock Is Alive

Steamhammer
2013

Yes, rock and roll is still alive. Just take a listen to The Jokers for proof. On the follow-up to their 2009 album, "The Big Rock 'n' Roll Show" (Two albums with rock and roll in the title? Really?) this Liverpool 4-piece brings to mind AC/DC first before they down play that slightly obvious influence in favor of bands of the classic rock variety. This 11-track release even sounds a bit more retro then modern thanks to producer Andy Macpherson (Eric Clapton, The Who, Barclay James Harvest, The Buzzcocks). The band, which is made up of two brothers in Paul  (guitar) and Simon (bass) Hurst, is lead by vocalist Wane Parry and rounded out by drummer Chris Poole. Together the four musicians delve into the archives of classic rock in order to fine-tune their own take on vintage sounding rock and roll. As guitarist Paul Hurst (in regards to their newer material) puts it "I love Free and their guitarist Paul Kossoff, just like The Who and Led Zeppelin, in other words all bands who play classic rock music with strong emotional vocal melodies and bluesy guitar riffs – pretty much like we do today." True enough it's that same rock and roll spirit that filters on down through all of The Jokers the heavy rocking riffs. Despite album art that would hint at something like glam or sleaze, and potentially bad glam and sleaze at that, these 4 musicians strut to the likes of AC/DC and the best classic rock that England has ever given us. When you start a band in England, that incorporates both rock and roll and boogie rock, it's quite likely that some of that rich classic rock history would rub off on you. We're talking about the likes of Status Quo, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, The Who, Bad Company, Free, Mott The Hoople, The Faces and many more here. So, while the vibe on "Rock & Roll Is Alive" might suggest some appreciation of Angus Young and his mates, there's a bit of that classic English rock and roll attitude in these 11 cuts. As far as sophomore releases go (or, if you will, this album's overall quality) this one is good enough to suggest to classic rock and roll fans even if these 4 have a bit more to go before people start name-dropping The Jokers.