CRASHDIET

It is totally derivative of a potpourri of '80s glam rock and hair metal bands, including the glammed up look of the band members themselves; the album clearly one for fans of that definitively love-hate era. And it would seem that's exactly what Sweden's CRASHDIET intended with new album "Generation Wild". It's fortunate that CRASHDIET is so skilled at delivering those hair-spayed and spandex-wrapped goods or we might be having ourselves one hell of a rip 'n bash party with this one.

Heck, "Generation Wild" is better than the new album from one of the better bands of the era even, that being BLACK 'N BLUE's "Hell Yeah!" CRASHDIET wears the influences on their collective sleeve and has the chops and smarts to pull it off with catchy songs and a whole lot of spirit. The SKID ROW reminiscent material — "Generation Wild", "Rebel", and "Native Nature" — rocks convincingly from the start, but gets even better with every spin. Songs like "So Alive" and "Down with the Dust" are less referential and more blended versions (both 80s and current era pop-inflected metal),but nonetheless solid. Then there is the initially-too-cheesy-to-enjoy "Chemical" that attaches itself to the host organism and sinks its über-melodic chorus-claws in deep until you succumb. Add in a super-glossy power ballad in "Save Her" with cliché girl-in-crisis lyrics that references multiple acts of the era — e.g. FIREHOUSE and WINGER — and ends up so infectious it is impossible to forget. It is at that point that you realize you've been sucked right in for the long haul and won't be turning back any time soon.

Need more references? Sprinkle some MÖTLEY CRÜE, ENUFF Z'NUFF, and HANOI ROCKS on it, too. The point is if you hated the style to begin with, even the better crop of acts, then you can rest assured that "Generation Wild" won't do a damn thing to convert you. Otherwise, CRASHDIET has made an album that any fan should enjoy. Give it a few spins before passing judgment and watch how this one sneaks up on you.