Rough Edge: Crash Kelly CD Reviews

CRASH KELLY

"One More Heart Attack" (Warrior; 2008)

Reviewed by Metal Mark

When I look at this album cover my mind immediately recalls the front cover of Alice Cooper's classic "Schools Out." Well, these guys don't sound like Alice Cooper. yet vocalist/guitarist Sean Kelly's band wear some other 70s hard rock influences on their sleeves. I easily hear some Thin Lizzy, KISS, Cheap Trick and others here yet, rather than go for a straight retro sound, these influences are occasionally mixed with 80s hard rock as well.

Unfortunately, instead of being a smooth, even blend it's more of a collision as the two styles don't quite mix well enough. I certainly think that Kelly has a fine voice with a decent range, but too many songs tend to be far too polished. They show some hints of shooting for hard rock grooves yet too often the case tends to be that everything gets coated in a big sugary shell that smooths down any edges that may have existed.

Pop hooks are one thing, but I get the impression that part of this act wants to be hard rock and the other wants to accessible pop rock and the end result isn't really enough to appease fans of either style. The talent is evident here and they even get some guest help from the likes of former G-n-R guitar slinger Gilby Clarke and former Whitesnake/Quiet Riot bass player Rudy Sarzo, but the direction seems a little confused to the end result is really just a somewhat bland sounding album.

For more information, check out http://www.myspace.com/crashkelly.

"Electric Satisfaction" (Liquor and Poker; 2006)

Reviewed by Mike SOS

Cock rock with more pop sensibility and talent than anything that'd turn up on the Sunset Strip, the Toronto-based Crash Kelly have molded themselves after Thin Lizzy, Cheap Trick, and glam rock of the '70s and deliver a fun, yet slightly sterile 12-track release.

"Electric Satisfaction" is a huge sounding and easily digestible record, as the Beatles-esque "You're a Drag When You're High" and the STP big beat of "Ride the Wire" would sound best in a hockey arena sandwiched between Poison and Grand Funk Railroad. Produced by fellow rock connoisseur Gilby Clarke, this Canadian quartet's endeavor is a hook-happy, nothing but a good time rock record that somehow sounds as vintage as these dudes' stage clothes.

Lighthearted yet rock solid, "Electric Satisfaction" outshines its peers by outclassing them on tracks like "She Put the Shock" and "Cracked and Faded," expertly highlighting the group's steaming fretwork and bluesy leanings.

Safe and sturdy, Crash Kelly plays the kind of rock anyone from 8 to 80 can get into.

For more information, check out http://www.myspace.com/crashkelly.

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.

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