Frontiers (2010)

This Swedish hard rock act release their second full length, signing a worldwide deal and ready to expose new countries to their infectious, hook-laden sound. Their moniker comes from a Japanese plastic toy-guitar that vocalist Danny Rexon used to play as a child. The quartet gain a younger guitarist prior to the tracking of this album, as 21 year old Andy Hughes replaces Vic Zino, who left to permanently join Hardcore Superstar.

I feel like I’m taken into a time warp, careening head first into acts like Babylon A.D. and Baton Rouge from the late 80’s/ early 90’s US scene and a pronounced Def Leppard influence. Songs like “Blame It On Love”, the mid-tempo opening swagger from “Rock and a Hard Place” plus the ode to groupies “Lock Up Your Daughter” just have that easy to digest riffing, big choruses and pulsating rhythmic grooves that scream good times. Danny has that Joe Elliot edge, although a touch rougher around the higher screams.

They aren’t afraid to add in straight piano or horn parts a la Aerosmith for “She’s Mine” and I believe the production from Chris Laney captures exactly what one would expect Crazy Lixx to sound like as they took these songs from the studio to the stage - vibrant and enthusiastic. The band can also count on equal female support, as “What of Our Love” tugs on the emotional heart strings, a power ballad in every sense of the phrase.

There’s enough room for three breakouts in this new movement. I think Crazy Lixx have the tools to be up there and differentiate themselves from the heavier Hardcore Superstar and much more melodic The Poodles to give hard rock consumers reason to bring “New Religion” into their homes.

www.crazylixx.com
www.frontiers.it

Composed by Matt Coe