GENERATION LANDSLIDE
"Ruling the Street Scene" (Vic
Records; 2022)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
"Ruling the Street Scene" is a solid, if not remarkable, collection of hard rock tunes that bring to mind AOR bands like Sweet, Axe and the like. Loud guitars, smooth vocals, throbbing bass and drums. Songs that could have played on FM radio way back when FM radio played a lot more rock'n'roll than they do today. I've read that the band members were previously in the Kiss tribute band, Cold Gin, and you can sense some of that influence here, as well.
There's even a token ballad or three, "Love and Pain," with its emotional vocals and pace and impressive crescendo-ing guitar; "The City of the Edge of Forever," a more straight-forward ballad that shares its title with a Star Trek episode; and "Me In You," which almost sounds like a modern country song.
I think I would have liked this album if it had been grittier, somehow. Roughed up a little. But it works as it is. It may not light you up and get you rocking but, with its solid guitars and songwriting, it isn't bad at all.
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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 © 2023 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
