It’s really simple, guys! There are two ways to appreciate (or not) Crazy Lixx’ new effort or for that matter any album by the so-called Scandinavian new hard rock scene. The first one is to stick to the songs and the second one to compare them with the musicianship and overall attitude of the hard rock albums that were released in USA during the 80s and 90s. Personally, I fall into the latter category although I gotta admit that I am trying to be as objective as possible and I hold a soft spot for Eclipse and Crashdiet. Having said that Crazy Lixx has come up with some really good albums and their status on the scene is important. So the question is: has “Street Lethal” met the expectations of the band’s fans?
The answer is an emphatic: yes! Again, I have real trouble accepting this distorted image that is portrayed nowadays for hard rock and I guess that’s not only me that shares the same opinion. But the songs are there on “Street Lethal”. They are well-crafted, cliché and catchy…all the ingredients needed for a good hard rock album. Danny Rexon has become a leading composer and producer in the genre and if he avoids next time slips like “Anthem For America”, things would be much better. You see, Danny, it’s not the fault of the American youth that hard rock music doesn’t reign supreme. It’s just a matter of the decline of the music industry, in general.
No need for further analysis. “Street Lethal” is a very good record and its retro aesthetic is a perfect match with the musical trend that it’s evident lately. In my ears, this could easily be the soundtrack of…Cobra Kai. Think about it…
Highlight: Even the cover sleeve is reminiscent of an 80s videogame…Amiga or Amstrad, anyone?
