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Starwood - If It Ain't Broke, Break
It!
By: blistering.com -
Justin
Donnelly
The debut album
from new act Starwood, who feature in their line up Lizzy on vocals
and guitar Marten Andersson on bass, drummer Joey Scott and guitarist
Joe Steals.
As the name Starwood suggests (Named after open minded club Starwood
in Hollywood from the 70’s), Starwood has decided to simply rock out
with a fusion of classic ‘70’s rock with elements of the ‘80’s glam
rock sound, but with modern touches thrown in. And the results are
great.
The riff heavy groove of the lead off track ‘Subculture’ is pure arena
rock with plenty of classic sounding riffs and sing along hooks
(Especially through the gang like backing vocals),
‘Won’t Back Down’ is even more anthem like and is so full of ‘80’s
feel good r! ock that you have to wonder if this album isn’t a
re-release of some lost classic, while ‘What’s Your Damage’ brings
forth the more modern sounding influences with a harder edged sound
and a slightly tougher/mature approach to classic rock.
A touch of Cheap Trick filters through ‘All My Girlfriends Have
Boyfriends’; while ‘Social Zero’ is a stripped back hard rocker with
an emphasis being about getting straight to the point with a slight
punk influenced drive.
The title track ‘If It Ain’t Broke, Break It!’ is a definite highlight
with one of the most melodic and memorable choruses the band have to
offer, while the fast paced tail end of ‘Backlash’, ‘You’re So Real’
and ‘Bad Machine’ are all high octane tributes to a bygone era of
metal.
Starwood’s debut does have some obvious flaws, they only offer up nine
tracks, If It Ain’t Broke, Break It! Is a fun album that isn’t ashamed
of being retro with all the glam/hard rock trimmings.
I can only hope that together with other notable bands such as
Brides Of Destruction and Velvet Revolver (Both returning to their
rock roots), the good times really are coming back after an absence of
far too long to remember.
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