It has been quite awhile since we've heard from the outfit Street Legal, but here they are, back with a new album. This one is tapping into that Thin Lizzy vein of blues hard rock, and tweaking the songs by introducing other elements, such as some seriously heavy riffage that seems down right thrash-like. The vocalist even has a voice that's somewhere between Phil Lynott and John Norum, the music being like a heavier variation of the Blue Murder theme. Unfortunately along the way, mediocrity sets in and the track list is not beefy enough to support a handful of lacklustre tracks. Songs such as the abysmally silly Genghis Khan - that drops love and war into some kind of sick romantic killing spree, the sleep inducing instrumental and the by-the-numbers boring "Flashdance" cover, all tag team to drag the disc down.

"Loading Up" opens the disc in fast fashion, hard rockin' in that Blue Murder manner and topping it off with that thrashy bit that seems out of place. The repetition of the words "Loading Up" sound silly, even if it *is* the song's title. "Somebody Up There Likes Me" has the bluesy Whitesnake vibe, from back when they were across the pond and had not quite splashed into shores beyond the U.K. yet. The melodies are hot and chunky and overall has a pleasant nu-retro vibe and an upbeat feel.

"Unconditional Love" continues the winning streak by throwing a scorching chorus into the fire and slamming those husky vocals right in the forefront. Driven mainly by the six string and voice pipes, it's formula of simple yet satisfying hard rock turns up a decent track. "Warriors of Genghis Khan" brings on the crushing heavy metal style and crazy guitars. However the massive killings in the name of love sounds like axe murderer material and name drops a famous warlord into the lyrics. This is just strange and out of place...

"Shadow in My Heart" is a weepy, wistful, woe-begone ballad. Leaden, depressed, weighted down in the shadows of love long gone. It's long suffering violins and guitar warble to the heart and wailing kicked-in-the-dirt vocals of desperation make it a track worth wallowing in. "Bite the Bullet" is a macho man rocker and sadly shares the album's title. Like two dogs sniffing each other's rear ends and making yellowish water markings over a territorial dispute, its a primal unremarkable flop of a track that screams "white trash" and is about as sophisticated as homemade moonshine. "Starship Trooper" and "Trapped" are both Blue Murder-like tunes. Blues bottom, metal-like top end in the guitars. The electric strings bring the meat of the melody with "Trapped" being the better of the two.

"The Battle of Kringen" is the instrumental. Technically entertaining but kind of falls apart as a true song piece. It's alright for a once through, but only the most dedicated fret-heads will find more to mine beyond the initital talent flash. Have you ever wondered what the main hit theme from the "Flashdance" movie would sound like if it had been... metal-lized? Well, your dreams, questions and desires have come to fruition. Street Legal goes through the motions in this overly safe cover of Michael Sembello's "Maniac" that turns pop into rock with rather boring results. Covers can be a surprising boon to an otherwise average cd, but this does nothing for them. Likely because it takes no chances and stays close to the original work.

The front end of the album has a handful of competent songs, perhaps not magic making enough for repeated spins. Unfortunately all this mediocrity (well other than the depressing blues ballad) is stacked in front of "Silent Tear". It sounds like Coverdale/Page in the manner that the acoustic plays over the sludgy encompassing darkness that spreads out beneath it like a black oil stain. A bit of a progressive sheen, solid guitar melodies and a nice vocal round out this piece. Such a shame it's so good, considering everything it's buried underneath. It easily transcends it's emasculating song title.

Street Legal's long awaited "Bite the Bullet" is rather disappointing in general. The Blue Murder/Thin Lizzy connection overrides any originality and the popping up other genre flirtatious sections seem tacked on and unnecessary. Poor songwriting kills a few tracks and the cover song is just plain tanks. If you were a rabid fan of the earlier Street Legal release, then perhaps this one is worth a look simply due to the wait between releases. Curiousity will call you to check it out regardless of what any review says or claims. These guys are capable of much better, as seen on "Silenet Tear", which single handedly outclasses every other song on the album put together. Better luck next time.

Written by Alanna
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
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Ratings

Alanna: 5.5/10

Members: No members have rated this album yet.

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