KILL CHEERLEADER

"Childhood friends with a fetish for early GUNS N' ROSES and MÖTLEY CRÜE, they learned their instruments together while practicing songs from old STOOGES records", begins the press release about the members of Toronto's KILL CHEERLEADER. And sure, you can hear some of that in the band's punky rock and roll brew. The boys got lots of potent quotes from the likes of Spin magazine, Alternative Press, Lemmy (MOTÖRHEAD),and Nikki Sixx (MÖTLEY CRÜE) as well, based on a rough recording of early songs called "Gutter Days". So what does it all mean? To my ears, that "Gutter Days" showed more potential than what "All Hail" demonstrates. "All Hail" is a pretty good collection of glam-tinged rock and roll fire and a breath of dirty air to boot, but let's not get carried away here.

Here is how the album breaks down. First, you get a few hot 'n' nasty rockers with medium sized hooks ("Save Your Soul", "So Young", "Deathboy"). We then move on to several average, but likeable up-tempo blazers ("Lady of the Night", "No Feelings", "Find Your Own Way Home", "Want Action", "Don't Call Me 'Baby', Baby", "Bad Habit"). Follow that up with one well done lazy/glammy acoustic song ("Go Away"),a cool part-hippie/part-glam acoustic tune ("No Lullabies"),and a short and sad instrumental piano piece ("Hurt the People You Love"),and we're finished.

On the whole, "All Hail" scores points for the sleazy attitude and party rock vibe, as well as the occasional hot guitar solo. Song-wise, it's not too shabby, but doesn't reach awe-inspiring heights. If you're looking for a good time rock and roll record, "All Hail" should do the trick.