CD Review: Hardbone - This Is Rock 'n' Roll

Written by Colin McNamara Friday, 13 July 2012 08:13

Artist: Hardbone
Title: This Is Rock 'n' Roll
Genre: Rock
Release Date: 13th April 2012
Label: Remedy Records

Album Review

HARDBONE are one of those bands who live and breathe the Rock ‘n’ Roll genre. Ever since their debut back in 2010, they’ve created a definitive sound that brings back the old school days of the late 80s and early 90s that will appeal to fans of AC/DC, CHROME DIVISION, and AIRBOURNE. However, also like many of these bands, HARDBONE can tend to sound like a one trick pony. Track after track the music is fast, energetic, but also feels like they borrowed every riff from AC/DC’s hits, such as ‘Girls & Gasoline’ sounding incredibly similar to ‘Dirty Deeds (Done Dirt Cheap)’. Even the vocals sound very similar as well as the album themes, which bounce between drinking, Rock in general, money, death or the thrill of near-death experiences, and of course sex. As a result, some fans might just shrug rather than consider this something new and amazing.

Nevertheless, the production is well done and despite the small niche HARDBONE pretty much nails their style right down to the letter. There is little variation between tracks; each one is pretty fast and performed in the same style between ‘Bottlemate’ to ‘This Is Rock ‘n’ Roll’. Sometimes the group will throw in a few low spoken word sections to mix up the high pitched barking vocals, but aside from the catchy anthem-like quality of the chorus the tracks can begin to sound a bit repetitive. The only track that really stands out from the others is ‘The Only Thing’ which is much slower, bluesy, and still hits hard but in a different way rather than balls to the wall with speed and rhythm. Overall, if one is a fan of Hard Rock or classic Rock ‘n’ Roll in general, they will find this sophomore effort impressive, but for those seeking a more modern Rock touch probably won’t find this as exciting.


Tracklist

01. Bottlemate - 3:00
02. Wild Nights - 3:58
03. Girls & Gasoline - 4:44
04. Grave Digger - 4:08
05. One Night Stand - 3:12
06. This Is Rock n’ Roll - 4:25
07. Fat Cat - 4:51
08. The Only Thing - 6:57
09. Young Blood - 3:15
10. Hellevator - 3:44


Line-up

Wolfgang Pohl- bass
Tim Dammann- vocals
Caine Grandt- drums
Tommy Lindemann- guitar
Sebastian Kranke- guitar


Website

http://www.hardbone.net/


Cover Picture




Rating

Music: 5
Sound: 6
Total: 5.5 / 10