With a band name like Tokyo Dragons, I expected one thing, and got something completely different. The name brings the obvious connections to Japan, or at least something inspired by the Japanese. What we are given has gained more inspiration from 1980's era hard rock. Plus, they're from England, home to some of the best rock and metal bands of all time. Not that they are in the league with some the British legends, but you never can tell what the future holds.
Give Me the Fear delivers a solid dose of straight up rock and roll. It is the kind of CD you put in and turn it up to 11. If you are looking for any type of seriousness, you would do best to look elsewhere. However if you want a slab of rock to the gut, delivered at high volume, this may be for you.
The album opens with "What the Hell," a rocker that sets the tone for the rest of the album. It starts with a twin lead harmony leading into a rhythm which you are helpless to resist. It quickly settles into a groove where you simply must bang your head. A couple songs down the line is the anthemic "Do You Wanna?", which asks the question: Do you wanna get high? I foresee many sing alongs with this.
Other highlighs include "Come on Baby," "Teenage Screamers," and "Ready or Not." None of them may be instant classics, but they all have something in common: they rock! Strong grooves, in your face lyrics, and an overall sense of fun that is impossible to resist.
It is refreshing to see new, young acts staying true to the roots of rock and metal. It is a pleasure to listen to music that subscribes to that old school mentality. Music that doesn't buy into the current trend of metal-core and emo-metal bands. A band that has set a goal of delivering quality rocka nd roll is surely hard to come by. Not to mention, a band that strays away from the usual dark subject matter. Everything here is light hearted and upbeat, addictively so.
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