Buckcherry – Rock ‘n’ Roll

Formed in 1995 when Josh Todd and Keith Nelson met via their tattooist and a shared love of AC/DC, a few line up changes, a few name changes, a brief hiatus and with six studio albums behind them Los Angeles based Rockers Buckcherry, will release their 7th studio album, Rock ‘n’ Roll, via their own F-Bomb Records/Caroline on 21 st August.  

Josh Todd says of their latest offering “There’s been so much talk about how rock ‘n’ roll is dead and all of this bullshit. The funny thing is, that’s been going on since we put out our first record in 1999. We wanted to call the new album Rock ‘n’ Roll, because this is what we’ve been doing our whole lives. We focused on making a record that encompasses all of what we are. You get every flavour of Buckcherry.”

I’m not going to be able to say how this album compares to earlier albums, as I haven’t heard any. I have, however, seen them live several times and the album is as I expected from the description ‘You get every flavour’. It’s typical Buckcherry with a mix of both upbeat and mellower numbers. Opener Bring It On Back about Josh’s hobby go-karting gets the album off to a roaring start. Tight Pants a more funky number is really fast and energetic and makes you want to don your spray-on pants and hit the dance floor (not that I need much persuasion!) with it’s strong drum beat I thought of Rocks by Primal Scream, the wolf-whistle Dude (Looks Like a Lady) by Aerosmith, the brass section put me in mind of Billy Idol’s Whiskey and Pills and the pants reference brought Bad Touch’s Good on Me to mind. Wish to Carry On brought the tempo down a little then it came down another notch or two for melodic ballad The Feeling Never Dies which Josh sings with a real passion and feeling.

Cradle reminded me of Lincolnshire rockers Knock Out Kaine and a couple of their songs I’m thinking 16 Grams of Heart Attack meets Cascading. Then comes The Madness another upbeat track which, with it’s good rhythm and intricate riffage has a bit of a Deep Purple Highway Star vibe. Then Wood which includes the lyrics ‘If it get’s any harder, I’m gonna need some cold water’  and the chorus ‘You’re giving me wood’ now I really don’t think it was about trees or joinery, to be honest, I think it may just be some of those excellent Bon Scott style double entendres! If not – well just call me Pinocchio! Rain’s Falling, one of Keith’s favourite tracks (read our interview here) another mellow song, a bit of calm before the storm as the tempo goes back up to full throttle with Sex Appeal a Your Mama Don’t Dance by Poison meets Golden Earring’s Radar Love type number, one which will, no doubt, be good live. Then like all good things Rock ‘n’ Roll comes to an end with Get With It with some superb riffs ending the album on a high note. I loved this album, even the slower songs were bearable! That’s no detriment to any band I just prefer a hard, fast song! If you haven’t yet broken your ‘Buckcherry’ cherry then it won’t hurt to do it on a bit of Rock ‘n’ Roll! Five stars from PlanetMosh!

Highlight Tracks: Tight Pants and The Madness

Track Listing

1. Bring It On Back
2. Tight Pants
3. Wish To Carry On
4. The Feeling Never Dies
5. Cradle
6. The Madness
7. Wood
8. Rain’s Falling
9. Sex Appeal
10. Get With It

Band Members:

Josh Todd – Vocals
Keith Nelson – Guitar
Stevie D. – Guitar
Kelly Lemieux – Bass
Xavier Muriel – Drums

For More Information:

Website: http://buckcherry.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buckcherry

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Buckcherry