I had this bad feeling right from the moment when I saw the video for the title track of the album…let’s just say that I wasn’t thrilled at all let alone the fact that I have heard far better songs this year from other theoretically inferior artists. Sebastian Bach has definitely delivered far better albums…with Skid Row. And there’s exactly where the problem lies, in my humble opinion; The red-haired, sex idol of hard rock has never been a formidable songwriter. His strong points were always the characteristic voice and his excellent stage presence. When he lost from his side Rachel Bolan and Snake Sabo, every single effort of his to build a remarkable career has fallen by the way side.
“Kicking and Screaming” might be honest, modern, up to date with all the current trends in the vein of Bullet For My Valentine and Trivium (albeit growls and brutal vocals), reminiscent at moments of the sharp guitar riffing of the great Dimebag but at the same time is uninspired and detrimental. The truth is that it picks up where his last album stopped but it’s really below par and mediocre…It’s really a shame as “Kicking and Screaming” is one of those albums that you only get to listen to a3-4 times and that’s it…
Highlight: I can’t really understand why the Skid Row guys don’t reunite. After all, the band Skid Row without Sebastian Bach is pitiful. So, I am sure that two parts united make a strong force to be reckoned with.
