What began to soften my initial view was the infectious energy. I can see these guys tearing up a stage. The music has this raw appeal, almost like none of it is planned; they just picked up their instruments and out came this party-inspired combination punk and hard rock. Never were there any intentions to create anything important, just release some raging hormones. On that raw level, the music is quite good and perfectly suited for playing loud at a party or for that live setting.
The other thing that got my attention was the lyrics. When listening to some of them, you just have to believe that something is a little off with these guys. From singing about being a drug supplier with a bad touch in "Bad Touch," to a girl with a 12-gauge in "Teenage Rampage," to partying in a hotbox in "High School Hotbox," these guys do not want for subtlety. This matter of fact approach just reinforces the party rock vibe.
To be sure, this is not a great album. It is all about the riffs and the vibe, with a couple of nice solos tossed in, but it is not particularly memorable. When you count them among their influences, I will always be more apt to grab AC/DC or The Ramones over Sound and Fury.
Bottomline. If you are looking for a party album, this should fit the bill. I could see myself revisiting this on occasion, but it is not going to be at the top of the list. The guitars are solid, but this will be relegated to the back shelf in short order.
Very Mildly Recommended.
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