It seems like a lot of veteran bands are resurfacing with new material in 2011. Thanks to the folks over at Frontiers, we are able to get new music from the bands we love. The latest group to put out new product, is 80's rockers Black 'N Blue. I've been a fan of this band since the first time I read about them in Kerrang some 25+ years ago. Kerrang did a feature on them right before they released their debut album, and ever since then, I have been hooked.
Just like so many bands of that era, they hung it up in the late 80's, but have gotten back together in the last 5 years or so. The band has resurfaced a few times over the years, and promised to deliver a new record, as far back as 2003, but for reasons unbeknownst to this reviewer, it new was released. That being said, the band is back and reunited, minus ex-lead guitarist Tommy Thayer (Kiss), and trying to get back on the horse with their first studio release in 20+ years, Hell Yeah.
I have to say I was really excited when I heard that the band was back and that Hell Yeah was finally going to be released; my only concern was that Tommy Thayer was not involved. It wasn't because Thayer is this monster shredder, rather it was for his killer song writing skills. Thayer played a big part in the band's sound back in the day, so without his song writing credits, I was worried how this one might come out.
The CD is a mix of mid-tempo and up tempo rockers with a a ballad thrown in for balance. The songs for the most part are good, but not great. I would say about half of the record kicked my ass, whilst the other half just came off as mediocre. The signature BnB sound is their, but without some of the catchy-ness and melody, that they had back in the day. The songs on this CD seem more organic and raw, and unfortunately don't come out and grab you. I will say with each listen I get into this one a bit more, but I'm not sure for how long. At times the listener feels like these songs were rushed and not given the proper time to mature. Not a bad CD, but not a great one, by any means. Essenential for Black in Blue fans, but not sure how far it wil go from there.
Bottom Line: Black 'N Blue trying to re-capture their signature, but off by a little bit. An album that is about half good and half mediocre.
Standout Tracks: Hell Yeah, Monkey, Fools Bleed and So Long.
-Ragman stills loves him some B 'N B.