Swedish punk rockers, the Backyard Babies have been around since the closure of the 80s and are still a driving force when bringing the sleaze back to Britain's current abysmal music scene. Their self-titled 2008 album was one of those rare first listens where I immediately enjoyed the album, which is becoming rarer and rarer as time's gone by. It is also worth mentioning, that it is even rarer to find a band that seems to be producing better music the older the musicians become. Hanoi Rocks are another that seemed to have their finest moments towards their demise, and although some of the Backyard Babies' early songs like Star War and Minus Celcius are still staple tunes, the whole feel of their albums, in my opinion, has continually improved. I even liked 2006's release, People Like People Like People Like Us, which seemed to generally recieve very negative critism.
The Backyard Babies feature two members who take lead vocals (rather than one providing backing), though one is arguably the far better singer and more prominant in songs (Nicke Borg). However, Dregen being the charasmatic clown always seems to attract more attention, and the songs he does sing in seem to suit his voice very well - so I must praise the way in which both members perform their selected songs. As a comparison, Nicke's voice is deep, full of sleaze and energy, and really powers through the music, whereas Dregen has a far higher voice but utilising just as much, if not more sleaze than his bandmate. Their latest album has some of the best vocals from the paring yet, and their aren't too many fillers on here.
Backyard Babies' songlist goes like this:
1- Fuck Off and Die (3:45)
2- Degenerated (3:36)
3- Come Undone (3:40)
4- Drool (3:23)
5- Abandon (4:13)
6- Voodoo Love Bow (3:21)
7- Idiots (3:04)
8- The Ship (3:06)
9- Nomadic (3:47)
10- Back on the Juice (3:33)
11- Where Were You? (3:15)
12- Zoe is a Weirdo (1:53)
13- Saved by the Bell (3:54)
-Total Running Time- (44:41)
Well the first song makes a pretty bold statement. Both Dregen and Nicke battle over vocal bragging rights in this track, with Dregen singing the verses and Nicke delivering a killer link-up to the chorus, of which both members join togethor. The chorus is heavily catchy and definately a crowd pleaser, if maybe for some just to get the chance to shout 'Fuck!' a lot (which is fine - gets the old blood pumping.)
Degenerated has a fairly repeatative riff throughout the song, but it is a damn-fine riff. I don't consider this one of the album's better songs, but it sets the upbeat tempo ready to carry through into the next track.
The next song, Come Undone, is a real scorcher and brings all the best elements of the babies togethor. Great drums, clever bass-lines, Nicke's fantastic voice and a catchy chorus to boot. A section of the chorus reminds me of Feeder's Just A Day but where that was a fairly average song overall, this one improved it.
Dregen's finest moment on the album now is on Drool. This is what I mean by choosing the right guy for the job. Nicke scored full marks with the last track, but now Dregen appears centre-stage and gives all the judges a frying-pan to the face. This is definately one of my favourite ever Backyard Babies songs as again, it pulls out all the best elements and really gets the aural party started.
The next song is part acoustic and explodes into electric at various stages. Abandon should be an album highlight, but for me it just falls short due to it's inability to leave a lasting impression after listening. It's uplifting without being twee, and big enough without being over-dramatic, but it just doesn't feel right - certainly not in the context of the album and the songs surrounding it.
Back on track with Voodoo Love Bow. While i'm not quite sure on the details of what the song is going on about, I do know is that Nicke's voice reaches orgasmic proportions here. Raucas highs and Barry White lows are just the start of why this song kicks bottom. Superb track with a very memorable riff, and definately one i'm always coming back to.
Idiots sounds at first like an earlier Backyard Babies song, but quickly fits snuggly with the rest of the album. Clever vocal structure around the various guitar parts and another killer song on a very strong album.
If Fuck Off and Die was never written, The Ship would probably be the opener for this album. It's a flurried, rock-steady amthemic song that is sure to gradually become a crowd pleaser. I say all that and it's not even a song I particaularly am fond of! It is by no means a bad song though, just not as strong as some of the others on here. The sound of the track definately works with a nautical theme linking to the title, which I guess is a good point.
Nomadic is a fairly average song in the context of the album - it fits in fine, but does not strike me as live material (yet they played it when I saw them shortly after the album's release!). I wish bands would come to me before they write setlists to support new albums. They ALWAYS seem to pick the wrong songs to play...
Back on the Juice is another really strong song. If not as loud and powerpacked as some of the earlier efforts, it is a well written and joyous song with nice chorus. Not a strong highlight, but a highlight.
Kicks off with a great drum part, and as soon as Nicke's vocals kick in once again, it seems to be shaping up for another blinder with Where Were You? - but unfortunately, the chorus parts feel a little cheesed-up for me. I can see this being fun live, but I have to be fair and say that it's not one of the top-end tracks on here.
Now, here we go! Zoe is a Weirdo is the quickest track, shortest track and maybe the best track on the album. Dregen-fronted now, and a comedic, riff driven power tune. Sounds like a song about an obsessed groupie, and is just what all real sleazy rock bands should be writing about!
Saved by the Bell closes the album and is a nice little ballad to finish. It's an outcast in the album's context, but it is a very nice song, even if you prefer the faster tempo like me. Plus it reminds me of that old American morning kids' show...
The album, I would think, is a pleaser for anyone who likes a heavy does of 'fun' in their rock, which should be everyone. For me, this was probably the best album of 2008, and one that should be pretty well respected for the decade. Go, you sleazy Swedes!
SCORE: 8.5/10
I like grunge. I've never hated it, nor have I professed to worship it. I don't think i've ever heard a 'perfect' grunge album yet, 'Nevermind' had good moments and bad and although I has nothing against bands like Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Nirvana, none of them stood up to the mighty Hammerbox, as far as i'm concerned.
"Who?" I hear the cry of many. Well, I first heard Hammerbox at the age of seven or eight. It was part of the soundtrack to the videogame 'Road Rash', and I bought it as a 'Help Charity' compilation box set but could never really get into the game itself. The jukebox, however, that was part of the game really drilled into my head though. Bands like Therapy? and Hammerbox were there, with some brilliant tracks to be heard. It wasn't until about a year or so ago that I returned to this game in a 'retro' mood and the songs resonated that sense of pure nostalgia, and I ended up delving into Hammerbox's discography at breakneck speed. The songs in question that were used on the game were Simple Passing and Trip. Both of these tracks are fast, thumpy and have brilliantly catchy riffs, which are fairly scarce in most grunge bands. Did I mention that they're fronted by a lady? Another rarity in the grunge movement I think you'd find. Take Alanis Morissette, inject her with petrol, and you have the 'Hammerbox' that is Carrie Akre.
Numb was released in 1993 and was the second (and final) Hammerbox recording. The sound is big, angry, chunky and emotional. The tracklist was and is as follows:
1- Hole (2:40)
2- Hed (3:16)
3- No (4:12)
4- Blur (3:06)
5- Outside (3:33)
6- When 3 Is 2 (4:27)
7- Trip (3:30)
8- Attack Of The Slime Creatures (3:46)
9- God (3:57)
10- Simple Passing (2:01)
11- Sleep (4:29)
12- Anywhere But Here (3:02)
-Total Running Time- (42:05)
Opener Hole really drives the album with 'Rita' proportion (seems like a good analogy having been to Alton Towers yesterday!) and as the guitar and drums meet at the fork in the road before blasting into the main riff, Carrie's voice dives in to steal the show. This is definately one of the album's highlights, and as we hear a rather satisfying Uuughh to lead into a superb bridge we 'head' into the rest of the album.
You see what I DID there? Hed is another excellent track and while not as 'in your face' as the opener, it is able to slow down the pace, whilst still retaining an aura of emotion that carries through the rest of the songs. Soon we go flying into No, which is another highlight. Superb guitar parts here; very catchy, very memorable and it's definately one of those tunes that you start to look forward to on your iPod when you're out on a long walk (well, it is for me at least).
Blur starts promisingly, but isn't really anything special; it's unfortunately far too overshadowed by the next track, Outside. Melodic and powerful chorus and has every grunge chord under the sun poked in there at some point for good measure.
When 3 Is 2 is the only single from the album, and was a track I very much ignored at first. Since I actually bought the single, it's grown on me lots - it has a brilliant chorus and the verses flow very nicely. Soaring backing vocals make this more of a treat to listen to, but I must add here and now - the B-side track to the single called simply 'Rain' is one of Hammerbox's best songs. Technically not part of the album, but it's a real gem and worth hunting down if you ever get the chance.
Now we're into the 'fucking-kick-ass-must-listen-to-before-you-die' sorta song, called Trip. My favourite song from ye olde 'Road Rash', and my still my favourite on this album. The riffs are mind-blowing and infectious, and the vocals are heading all over the place. The grit in this woman's voice is heavily satisfying, and it feels such a shame that she's gone for a more commercial approach in her recent solo efforts.
Attack of the Slime Creatures isn't that good of a track, despite the great name; God on the other hand is one of the better ones. Another excellent chorus dealt with a serious gut punch each time it gets blasted. Then it goes into a backing vocal chant by some of the male members and has a much more of a different feel to some of the other songs because of this.
Simple Passing is the last great performance before the last two tracks deliver a fairly average (but by no means bad) ending to an otherwise damn fine album. Another song from 'Road Rash', and the shortest song here. This is the song you'll be humming all day, with its wonderful soaring vocals and rock-steady beat. Definately another highlight for this sunken grunge classic.
When Hammerbox released this record, they had high hopes for the future - but unfortunately the likes of Nirvana crushed all hope of being able to really make a mark in the music scene at the time, especially as the grunge era came and went in such a short span. Hammerbox were only alive for a few years before it disbanded and Carrie Akre formed new band Goodness in the mid-90s. Goodness were like a softer form of Hammerbox, with some pretty decent songs, but never seemed to be able to rival the energy that Hammerbox had in abundance. Goodness came and went just as fast, and now Carrie works on solo albums with varying degrees of success.
Numb, in my opinion, should have been a staple grunge album up there with the likes of Nevermind, Ten, In Utero, and Badmotorfinger. This album has plenty of peaks and troughs, exudes energy and has some uniquely constructed guitar parts of which I think really make this album stand out from the rest. Reformation? Very unlikely I would think, but never say never...
SCORE: 8/10
