TOP JOHNNY! - review added 12th February 2009
Album Review: Top Johnny! (Self Titled) (2008)
For fans of: hard rock... and bands with silly names
Top Johnny! may sound like a silly cartoon off Nickelodeon, but they're actually a band from Canada. Consisting of TJ Star, Karo, Izzy Slater and Hitman (who again make the band sound like a silly cartoon off Nickelodeon) the band released an EP in '05. This eponymous album is their full length debut.
The album has a blatant live feel, and the fun factor is up there with clowns and whoopee cushions. There's hints of 80's hair metal in the mix, especially noticeable in the first song 'Bad Boy (For Loving You)'. This is music that demands spandex, outrageous videos and scenes of semi clad women (or men) draped seductively over the bonnets of sports cars.
'Bustin' Loose' sounds like modern Def Leppard. The disjointed rhythms, random lyrics and sound effects give the song a very particular character, quite different to that of the first song. 'Keep It Real', on the other hand, sounds like a hard hitting 70's funk track. There's a ballsy bassline under the guitar leads, but the song does sound frantic at times. Think jamiroquai crossed with the Chili Peppers and you'll be on the right lines.
Where 'Out Of Control' is pure modern hard rock, 'This Time' goes off on a tangent to a sort of rock/rap combo. 'We Are Live' is even more extreme. The song features full-on rapping by people who should probably know better. Night Ranger did a similar thing on their Hole In The Sun album. The end result is memorable... but not necessarily in a good way. In concept it's similar to having Eminem sing a Diane Warren love song. Hmmm.
I love the fact Top Johnny! have tried something different with this album. They haven't stuck to any particular formula for their songs and that should be commended. However, because of this. the album is something of an enigma. It's like listening to a compilation album performed by a brilliant covers band.
I don't doubt Top Johnny! are an absolute riot live. They have an energetic, adrenaline-rich sound that leaves you breathless. Thing is there's not a lot on the album that makes you want to come back again and again. As a means to get people to their gigs, this album is up there with the best. As a standalone listening experience, it's all a bit 'Middling Nigel...'.
Check out... The rapping on 'We Are Live'. The jury is out, and will be for a long time.
Track List:
1. Bad Boy (For Loving You)
2. Bustin' Loose
3. Your Love Is Killing Me
4. Keep It Real
5. Out Of Control
6. Love You Like An Animal
7. The Edge (Is Where The Action Is)
8. Feel So Alive
9. My X-Tasy
10. This Time
11. We Are Live
12. Ready 4 U
Artist's websites: Top Johnny , MySpace
