Accurately titled "solo" album from erstwhile
Hanoi Rocks frontman.
While most would remain convinced that the Andy McCoy /
Michael Monroe chemistry is unbeatable, this band gets damn close.
And what a star studded lineup - Ginger (Wildhearts), Sam (HR) Yaffa, Karl Rockfist (not his real name, apparently) and Steve (Company Of Wolves, remember them/
New York Dolls / Crown Jewels - I have their much treasured, 'Linoleum' album) Conte.
Probably because of his work on the
New York Dolls' recent comeback album, veteran music man Jack Douglas (Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, Alice Cooper) was expensively brought in to produce.
Much of today's rock'n'roll has degenerated into pro-tooled, prefabricated, flatpack blandness, so it's a genuine joy to hear
'Sensory Overdrive', Douglas captures all the raw energy and underlying punk vibe that fuels this new band, wrapping it up in a prickly sheen of studio polish.
Fortunately, he also has the nous to tap in to the street-smart pop sensibilities of other unconventional giants, like The Stones and Mott, ensuring the engagingly melodic components of songs like
'Modern Day Miracle' and
'Bombs Away' get just as much focus as the visceral, volcanic riffage and the punchy, pulsing rhythms.
Ginger has always been a champion of the true rock'n'roll spirit - a torch bearer for searing, elemental rock anthems if you will, and his songwriting imprint is all over this album like a full body tattoo.
The punchier, slap in the face tracks come early.
'Trick Of the Wrist' and '
78' get in quick, launched by spring loaded, needle-in-the-red riffs. Monroe sprays barbed lyrics around like an Uzi on auto, and then they're gone.
'
Superpowered Superfly' slows the tempo a little. This wonderfully titled track is just one of several contenders for album standout. It's a muscular, flawless, two and a half minute joyride, rising on a gorgeous rush of ringing guitars, twisting through several heartstopping melodic moments.
Lyrically
, 'All You Need' resolves all those angsty insecurities with a healthy dose of philosophical thinking. Match that to rich harmonies, a razor sharp hook and a Beatlish melody and you have a classic pop/rock gem.
'Later Won't Wait' and
'Center Of Your Heart' follow down the same road - hook heavy, melody laden - tight and pacy, but still compelling mixtures of sharply written, caustic lyrics and on-the-edge musicianship.
Neither of the guest vocalists seem an obvious fit for any band that includes Monroe, Ginger or Conte, but Lucinda Williams more than holds her own, belting out the country rock
'Gone Baby Gone' - melancholy of mood, celebratory of lyric - standing toe to toe with Monroe.
'Debauchery As Fine Art' - a rework of 'Motorheaded For A Fall' - seems to have alienated Motorhead fans, but we all know nobody likes change etc etc, so that was always going to be hard nut to crack. Monroe tackles the song with unbridled enthusiasm and Lemmy's presence only turns the song into an homage rather than a cover. Jury's still out on that one I think.
What goes before renders that last thought inconsequential though, as '
Sensory Overdrive' is a genuinely thrilling and satisfying album, one you can go back to time and time again, making it a real contender for album of the year, only 4 months in.
Written by
Brian Monday, April 25, 2011
Show all reviews by BrianRatingsBrian: 9/10Members: 9.5/10 - Average of 1 ratings.
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 | vanbasten6247
Rating: 9.5/10
Great effort, not his first solo work but looks like a beginning of what it may be a very ... · Read more · |
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