Torture Tunes

ALBUMS UNDER REVIEW

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

A lot of hard rockin’ acts are pouring out of Sweden – plus a bevy of genres like Death, Progressive, Extreme Metal and Classic. One such act: Crazy Lixx stands out bringing the classic 80's hard/bluesy/sleaze rock that made bands like Motley Crue and Faster Pussycat famous, and Armed with an L.A. Guns/Def Leppard sound and more sleaze than Nikki Six. These insane rockers from Sweden pack a punch.

Check it out: "Hell Raising Women" and "Sound of the Loud Minority" are straight up Los Angeles, California Rock - swept from the Sunset Strip into your speakers."Outlaw" brings a ballad type movement - very soulful in the vox and heavy on the rhythms. Next is "Girl from the 80's" and this one is heavy on the early Def Leppard sound, circa "High and Dry".

The backing vocals in "I Missed the Mark" are melodious and "All Looks, No Hooks" tells the story of a typical 80's rock groupie. You've seen the videos from Poison and RATT and yeah, those short skirted, big haired stuck-up tramps. Gotta’ love 'em! Then we get "Aint no rest in Rock n' Roll" is a true story and "Call to Action" keeps the drive alive.

The next tune, "Heroes are Forever" has a tinge of that Dokken sound and "Psycho City" brings the sleaze to the forefront again. Ending with a Crash-Boom-Bang - is the heavy duty "Wrecking Ball Crew". Now that's how to leave the listener wanting more! It's loud; it's heavy and its bad ass!

Downside is a few songs sound the same. Yes the solos rule, but the tempo and key are alike - you know, like that stuff in the 80's I overdosed on. Upside is the crazy licks, killer rhythm section and Pretty Boy Floyd vocals. All the ingredients you need to cook up some classic 80's hard rock. Call me crazy, but I give these dudes in Crazy Lixx a 9 1/2!

Tim Duran, HMS

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