Fans Like Fans Like Fans Like Excitement
doomsdayer520 | Pennsylvania | 05/14/2006
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Backyard Babies started out as incredibly energetic punk rockers. Being from Sweden, their great advantage was that they cared little for the rules of British and American punk, and added metal, glam, and power pop to their sound to create real excitement. Well now either age, boredom, or record company pressure has transformed Backyard Babies into non-threatening punk-popsters of the type for which they used to be the antidote. Backyard Babies have long been linked with another important Swedish band, the Hellacopters, who have followed a similar path, in their case from brutal hard rock to bland southern boogie. Hellacopters frontman Nicke Andersson has produced this new Backyard Babies album, and that's of interest to serious fans of the Swedish rock scene, but unfortunately the results don't offer much excitement.
A few songs on this disc almost display the old Backyard Babies energy, including "Dysfunctional Professional," "Blitzkrieg Loveshock," and "Hold 'em Down." But most of the songs here offer little more than a mature take on middle-of-the-road punk-pop junk like Good Charlotte or Sum 41, and by all means avoid the failed mid-tempo blues attempt "Roads" (the type of song that has lately derailed the Hellacopters). Drummer Peder Carlsson is the one member of the band who's still trying to play with his old energy, but here he just sounds like he's overdoing it, compared to everyone else's blandness. And lead guitarist Dregen, who was once as crazy and mind-blowing as any hard rock axe hero you could name, is barely audible on this album. Sadly, these former leaders have become the followers of their followers. [~doomsdayer520~]"
Give it some time
John Holcomb | Mayetta, Kansas | 06/29/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I saw the bad reviews on here, so I felt as though some positive comments were needed. This CD took a couple months to grow on me, I'll say that. I agree that it's different Backyard Babies, but i think this is their most complete effort yet. Give it a listen, give it some time. It's worth it."
People Like Us Indeed
Steven Swan | Illinois | 05/29/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I chose to review the Japanese Import of this one since I weighed my options or whatever and decided since the single for "The Mess Age" only had two tracks; including "Shattered Bonds" which is found here also, I would pay the extra bit rather than get the single also, because they had been putting out 3 track singles with unreleased tracks in the past, but I guess those great days are over.
The Backyard Babies put out a lot of great material that just plain rocks, and I've come to the conclusion that they are my favorite bands of the last 10 years or so along with Buckcherry, and my dearly departed Toilet Boys, who once wore the crown also I guess. This CD here though just continues with the formula the BB's have been using and refining since they started out all those years ago. I liked the way they sounded in '94, and I like the way they sound today.
I've listened to the album quite a few times, and it just keeps getting better to me. If I was picking singles I would probably go with "We Got A Long Way Back", "The Mess Age"..which IS the first single, "Roads" I love, it is a slower track but has a great feel to it, "Dysfunctional Professional" is another anthem. "I Got Spades", the title track that kicks off the album, and the bonus track "Shattered Bonds" is single worthy also. The great thing about this album and any Backyard Babies CD really is all the great songs. I loved "Earn The Crown" from the last CD and it wasn't a single. Same with "Heaven 2.9" from Making Enemies (both can be found in Live form on the Live Live In Paris CD also of course, and those are great versions also.
This CD just rocks so well, and is a great companion for the summer. So if you're into hard rock that makes you feel like celebrating or just rocking out to in general, you can't go wrong with a Backyard Babies CD, particularly this one. People like us love this!"
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1