CRAZY LIXX - review added 16th March 2010
Album Review: New Religion (2010)
For fans of: Hard Rock... and BIG music
Swedish hard rockers Crazy Lixx were formed in Malmö back in 2002. The line-up consists of Danny Rexon (also known as "Dirtchild Danny" or "D.C.Danny") on vocals, Andy Dawson on guitars, Joey Cirera on drums and Luke Rivano on bass.
The band's debut album Loud Minority came out in November 2007. Although it was only an independent release, it managed to hit #2 in the Swedish Hard Rock chart. No mean feat. Listening to this album I'm not surprised though. This is a seriously talented band. As with the debut album, New Religion was recorded at Polar Studios in Stockholm with producer Chris Laney (who I'm fairly certain I can hear in lots of the harmonies).
The sound is hard rock with a big slug of sleaze on top. It's got that feel of hair metal bands from the late 1980s, but is far better than a lot of the commercialised claptrap they released back then. Imagine the better end of 1980s glam rock scene with modern production and you'll have the idea. As said, this really is a very good album.
Opener 'Rock and a Hard Place' may not have the most original title, but its a big boisterous song with a beasty of a chorus and great-fun feel. It's not particularly original, but this style is rarely done this well. 'My Medicine' is even bigger and bolder. I dare you to listen to it without a big smile on your face! Same goes for '21 'Til I Die'. This is monstrous rock 'n' roll that's built for partying and blowing up speaker stacks. The superb 'Blame it on Love' is a slower track - not a ballad, but there's a definite emotive quality there. Danny really does have a cool voice.
'Road to Babylon' is decent enough by normal measures, but not quite up to the standard set by the first four tracks. We'll call it a pause for breath. 'Children of the Cross' is back on track with a powerful mid-tempo rocker that tells an intriguing story. Definitely a song that needs a video. 'The Witching Hour' is a heavier track boasting big guitars out front and a powerful all round performance. 'Lock up Your Daughter' is exactly like it sounds it's going to be - a sleazy and loud naughty effort with more spunk than an out-of-work porn star. It's vying for contention as the best track on the album.
'She's Mine' is the blood brother of the previous track. It's another OTT written-by-the-groin song, and it's bloody brilliant. 'What of Our Love' is a big ballad that's definitely up there with the best, most cheesy efforts you'll ever hear. Whether you like it or not depends in what you want from your love songs. 'Desert Bloom' is a quick instrumental leading into 'Voodoo Woman', song with a monster chorus and a fitting end to a very good album.
Crazy Lixx have made a big stonking hit here. It's not subtle, but it is bloody excellent...and that's what matters.
Check out... All of it.
Track List:
01. Rock and a Hard Place
02. My Medicine
03. 21 'Til I Die
04. Blame it on Love
05. Road to Babylon
06. Children of the Cross
07. The Witching Hour
08. Lock up Your Daughter
09. She's Mine
10. What of Our Love
11. Desert Bloom
12. Voodoo Woman
Label: Frontiers Records
Artist's website(s): Crazy Lixx , MySpace
