BROWNSVILLE STATION
"Still Smokin'" (CD Baby; 2012)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
The surprising thing about Brownsville Station is that, although they had a monster hit with "Smokin' in the Boys Room" back in 1973, it's the Motley Crue version that everyone knows best these days. The band's original tune was eclipsed by a cover version that the Crue still gets mileage out of even today.
Perhaps even more surprising, however, is that the band recorded and released a new album in 2012, and that it's as entertaining as their previous work.
"Still Smokin'" is a solid collection of classic rock songs that are guitar heavy and AOR friendly. The songs on this CD are toe-tapping, fist-pumping rockers and anthems, in the style of the band's previous albums and such contemporaries as Nazareth and Lynyrd Skynyrd. My favorite is the humorously titled "Rock N Roll is Better Than Music," with second place going to "My Friend Jack," a love song to Jack Daniels. The band also gets yet another use of their classic "Smokin' in the Boys Room" with a new version (cleverly entitled "Smokin' in the Boys Room 2012") which rocks nearly as well as the original while adding on a couple of additional layers.
Previous fans of Brownsville Station and fans of classic rock in general will find "Still Smokin'" lives up to its title.
For more information, check out http://www.brownsvillestation.com/.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2014 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised:
18 Nov 2024 12:18:25 -0500.