Released by Atlantic Records
Release Date: Out Now!!!
Genre: Hard Rock/Glam Metal
Links: http://www.myspace.com/badcitymusic
Line Up:
1. Showdown in Central Park
2. Take Me For A Ride
3. Do You Believe In Rock N Roll
4. Wildlife
5. Fire In The Pouring Rain
6. Call Pall Stanley
7. Heatwave
8. Look Out!
9. Touch
10. Straight To The Grave
Tracklist:
1. Showdown In Central Park
2. Take Me For A Ride
3. Do You Believe In Rock N Roll
4. Wildlife
5. Fire In The Pouring Rain
6. Call Pall Stanley
7. Heatwave
8. Look Out!
9. Touch
10. Straight To The Grave
Can you smell that? Yes I can is the sweet sound hair metal that brings back spandex and bulky black leather jackets. Ohh yeah the good old days where sex and rock and roll roam the land like a viral disease that invaded every human on earth. These we’re some of the images running through my head when listening to the Bad City record “Welcome To The Wasteland”. Of course the influences on the boys can be heard for days, the footloose high rising choruses, the addicting guitar licks all scream glam/sleaze metal from the old days. The Chicago quintet clearly has a vision of what they want to sound like, and guess what? They achieve that formula. I guess it shouldn’t surprise anybody as the 80’s reign hard in Chicago as so many underground 80’s metal bands we’re spurned out of that area of the country, now we have another in the 21st century.
Jump on the gun from the get go, as “Take Me For A Ride” is a cannonball of a track featuring some blockbuster harmonizing from Josh Caddy and company. The scorcher “Wildlife” is another blazing up and getter rocker with attitude as the melodic chorus will pierce your ears. The softer side of the Bad City is delicately delivered in the sweet ballad “Fire In The Pouring Rain” which happens to be another highlight in this unexpected “great” record. In an homage to the great Kiss front man, the track “Call Paul Stanley’ is an interesting song that sound a little more punk then the rest of the pack. Is a damn shame that the record is short and it seems to blow by so quick because when the more laid back rocker “Straight To The Grave” hits the mark, the record ends and you end up wanting more.
The record was Produced by Grammy Award-nominee Johnny K (Staind, Sevendust, 3 Doors Down), WELCOME TO THE WASTELAND and the label quotes “is an electrifying introduction to the band’s idiosyncratic sound, riddled with glamtastic melodies, trashy hooks and stadium-sized choruses.” Some of the arrangements here are reminiscence of old school Danger Danger with a modern rock sound and some Lizzy Borden thrown in for good measure. I have read some of the reviews about this one and some have totally dismissed it and not realizing the talent involved here. Sure is easy ignore the talent and just label them as another copycat band who’s stuck in the 80’s, but the truth is that these guys can play even with their pop rock elements they will demand your attention even if your attention span is that of a 5 year old. I’m a fan and we need more bands like this out there, especially out of the good old USA!!!. Recommended.
Written by Denys
Ratings Denys 8/10
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