DANGER DANGER - review added 27th August 2009
Album Review: Revolve (2009)
For fans of: Hard Rock... and Ted Poley
Danger Danger sprang to life in 1987 with Bruno Ravel, Steve West, Ted Poley, Andy Timmons and Kasey Smith. Their self-titled debut, containing songs like 'Bang Bang', 'Naughty Naughty' (and other tracks that didn't contain two identical words), was released in 1989 at the height of the Hair Metal scene.
The eponymous debut was followed in 1991 with the highly regarded Screw It. Next-to-be-recorded album Cockroach didn’t see the light of day until 2001 after the departure of singer Ted Poley and a fair slab of political infighting. In the mean time, with Paul Laine up front, the band released Dawn, Four The Hard Way and The Return Of The Great Gildersleeves.
After an eleven year absence, 2004 saw the return of original vocalist Ted and, five years after that, Danger Danger have finally released another studio album with his Poleyness up front. The remainder of Danger Danger these days is Rob Marcello on guitars, Bruno Ravel on bass and Steve West on drums.
The sound mixes classic late 80's Danger Danger with Ted Poley's solo work and spins it up with a modern twist. The production is as clear as vodka and as crisp as a very crisp crisp. Ted's voice is in scintillating form, sounding as good if not better than he's ever sounded before. Picking holes in Rob, Bruno and Steve's musicianship is as pointless as a blunt spear.
The songs themselves range from the top end of average to the average of the top end. There's nothing bad on the album, not even close. Some of the lyrics bring an inappropriate smile to your mouth for their deliberate-or-otherwise cheesiness, but you could hardly describe that as a bad thing.
Opening number 'That's What I'm Talking About' is a party-fuelled track that's as simple as an uneducated caveman and as loveable as a koala bear. It's a song with an innate charm which captures the spirit of the late 80's and pumps it out in a thoroughly modern way. It isn't the best track of the year, but it's a near-perfect example of the reason many of us got into rock in the first place. 'Ghost Of Love' is a huge track with a few silly lyrics and a bundle of beautiful sounds. Like a cross between a ballad and a hard rocker, it'll caress your cheek and kick you in the nuts at the same time.
'Killin' Love' is just... wow. It's an utterly stunning song with a pounding beat and a measured build-up leading to a chorus you could marry and make sexy love to. 'Hearts On The Highway' is a tad more subdued but a great track by normal measures. 'Fugitive' is a cheese fest with lyrics you could put in a sandwich with a dollop of pickle. There's no doubt it's a great track, but it's hard to listen to it without a wry smile in the corner of your mouth.
'Keep On Keepin' On' heads back to the party atmosphere of the first track with a bouncy-castle beat and spunky teenage-pleasing chorus. Ted Poley's surfer-dude voice suit this style of music so well it's scary. He's an underrated vocalist at the best of times and deserves all the compliments he gets. 'Rocket To Your Heart' is a slow-to-middling track that's about as close to filler as Danger Danger get on this album - i.e. still not that close. The lyrically naughty 'F.U.$' wouldn't know filler if some got shoved up it's bottom. It's one of the catchiest tracks of the summer and, although you can't play it in front of your children or grandparents, it'll be great for blasting out around your local town centre to upset the natives.
'Beautiful Regret' is a laid back track that's better than it initially sounds. It's a mid-paced effort that enters your mind through your skin not your ears. The song itself makes a lot more sense than that last sentence. 'Never Give Up' is a sweet ballad that's perhaps not as massive as it could have been but ridiculously likeable anyway. Final track 'Dirty Mind' is another excellent track that, whilst missing that final 10% of stardom, is still very hard not to like.
Danger Danger's most 'together' album with Ted, Revolve contains some of the best tracks they've ever recorded. If you liked the original sound from the late 80's and early 90's you'll love this. Equally, if you like modern rock there's plenty to love too. It's almost the perfect record. The only thing it misses are a few more absolute killer songs to blow you away. Overall I'd put it on a parr with Ted's last solo album, maybe even a few notches ahead. Can the man make a bad record nowadays?!
Check out... All of it.
Track List:
01. That's What I'm Talking About
02. Ghost Of Love
03. Killin' Love
04. Hearts On The Highway
05. Fugitive
06. Keep On Keepin' On
07. Rocket To Your Heart
08. F.U.$
09. Beautiful Regret
10. Never Give Up
11. Dirty Mind
Label: Frontiers
Artist's website(s): Danger Danger , MySpace
