Before there was Motley Crue and Guns ‘N’ Roses, there was the glam punk of Hanoi Rocks and their exuberant frontman Michael Monroe. The Finnish rock legend has had a career resurgence in recent years with his solo albums “Sensory Overdrive” and “Horns and Halos.” Michael is back with his best effort yet, the brand new album “Blackout States.”
The record is full of classic ’80s feel rock and roll with a nice, modern edge courtesy of producer Chips Kiesbye. The upbeat driving beat of “This Ain’t No Love Song” starts things off and really sets the tone for a fun, rock and roll ride. The songs are fresh and full of swagger and attitude with Monroe belting out one fantastic song after another. The riffs are catchy and contagious and songs like “Old King’s Road” and “Goin’ Down with the Ship” really make you want to sing along. Michael gives us some heavier tunes as well with “The Bastard’s Bash” and the hard hitting metal feel of “R.L.F.” The stellar bluesy feel of “Good Old Bad Days” offers up some tremendous sax by Monroe and the album closes out strong with “Six Feet In the Ground” and a true stadium rocker “Walk Away.”
Michael Monroe never achieved the level of fame here in the States that his ’80s counterparts did and that is really a damn shame. “Blackout States” is a superb rock and roll record that shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s fun, it’s feel good music, it “is” rock and roll!
