For years now, Buckcherry has had to live with the label of “the heavy Black Crowes”. For the most part, they earn that reputation, I guess. Like the Crowes, they play a style of rock that doesn’t easily fit into the trends of the era. Without question, vocalist Josh Todd has a very distinct similarity to Chris Robinson vocally. Unlike The Black Crowes though, there’s a dirty underbelly to everything that Todd and Buckcherry do. Where the Robinson brothers write songs about relationships, Todd and company are much more focused on…well…to be blunt, they are focused on f*cking. Much like their last album Timebomb, Buckcherry are back with more stories of debauchery. Also like Timebomb, this album rocks!
By now, you’ve probably heard the lead “single” “Crazy Bitch”. That’s a really good indication of what you have here on 15. The songs are instantly memorable, definitely dirty, and fun in the most primal of ways. As a vocalist, Josh Todd is a bar singer who spits out big league hooks. He’s very memorable throughout, and continues to stay within the vocal formula that has provided this band success over the last 10 years. Where Timebomb was a bit unfocused at times, 15 is much more locked in on a singular groove. This is definitely because of Todd. He finds his vocal best moment ever on “Out Of Line”, a song that is instantly reminiscent of “Lit Up” and sticks in your head long after you move on with the album. Overall, this may be Josh Todd’s best recorded work to date.
As for the rest of the band, it’s basically a new band from the previous two albums. Guitarists Keith Nelson and newbie Stevie D. have recaptured the classic sound this band has long had – loud, big, raw and not full of effects. On tracks like “Onset”, the duo really shine brightly. Adding to the mix are the rhythm section comprised of bassist Jimmy Ashhurst and Xavier Muriel. These two are great rock performers, and it’s evident on 15. Each and every song is bottom heavy, which is a great (and missing today) feature for a power rock band. Overall, this band sounds terrific throughout.
Article comments
1 - tony fanucchi
great review-have heard the single"crazy bitch"-Won't win any awards for lyrics;but instantly catchy;as i read in another review;buckcherry doesn't pretend to be anything other than a flat out rock n'roll band...and the world needs more of that.
2 - Kayla
Haha this song is by far the greatest! Haha I remember "Lit Up". "I love the concaine, I love the cocaine..." This by far passes that one up!
3 - Scott
Based on your review, I would think you could have given it a 9... The hooks are so catchy! And (what I hear as) his slightly Guns and Roses, 70sish voice is just fresh amongst many of the overproduced albums out right now. I am about half-way through the album, and granted I have had a couple of drinks, but it is one of those albums that has cohesiveness throughout the entire album rather than being a jumbled mess of hits and misses. Definitely an album I will drive up highway 101 listening to.