The US version is a nice embossed cover digipak with a sticker, patch, and booklet. The booklet has photos of each band member, recording info, and full lyrics. Right on.
I've had this album for over a year, yet for some reason it is just coming out in the US now. Why, oh why? Not only that, but this is a bit more expanded art and it has bonus tracks. I don't know much about the business side of music but I wish this band could figure something out with a solid independent or maybe try some sort of internet option where US fans can buy it through their site at a fair price. I don't know, I'm sure there are legitimate legal reasons but there's a lot of Hellacopters material out there that us lousy Americans don't have access to, at least at a reasonable price.
So...if you are familiar with the Hellacopters then I can tell you this is the next logical step for the band to take after �High Visibility.� I know many longtime fans were disappointed with that album, so if you were, then this is bad news. The songs are lighter and any heavier tinge the band used to have is pretty much gone.
If you�re not familiar with the band then I�ll try to describe them. First off, some of you may know that the singer used to be the drummer for a little Swedish death �n roll band named Entombed. The Hellacopters sound nothing like Entombed so be prepared.
The band has a sort of 70s rock feel�less poppy, less raw, and less cocky than The Hives. Some may find this to be an absurd comparison but you know the more solid rock and roll songs on the GNR �Use Your Illusion� albums? They almost sound like that. �Dust N� Bones,� or �Bad Obsession� have the same influences as this band. I have heard comparisons to MC5�definitely not Kick Out The Jams era, but if you�re into �Back in the USA� I can sort of hear it. I can even heard some influence from very early Kiss albums.
The songs are well written but not all that aggressive. The band has definitely taking a stroll into the softer side which isn�t bad on its own�the problem is this band has solid hard/garage rock foundation and long time fans will most likely not be able to get past the �well, it�s not as rocking as �Paying The Dues.�� And it�s not. But it is a solid album with great solos, solid hook melodies, sincere and unprocessed vocals, and just a nice smooth flow.
This is one of those albums you can put on in traffic and before you know it, the first 45 minutes of your trip is done. The album is solid throughout but at the same time there are no real standouts�I suppose that�s both a good and bad sign. The album is not bad but nothing really sticks out as I think songs on each of their previous albums do.
There are a ton of bands coming out of Scandinavia and this is one of the better ones. If the rock is what you enjoy, this isn�t a half bad starting point.
