(Nightmare Records) Total Time: 45:23
Hm, this is a weird one. We've got a fermale fronted hard rock band here, with a tough cookie called Toni on vox. There are another 4 blokes in the band, but the focal point obviously in such a band is alaways gonna be the lady behind the mic. Vocally Toni sounds like a mix of the gal from Vixen, Pat Benatar and Lita... but the overall style musically and the atmosphere is for the most part more rock n roll oriented. More in the vain of say vintage Hanoi Rocks than Guns n Roses... and yeah, again the closest thing that would come to my mind 'd be a more laid back version of Vixen !
Opener "Skin Deep" is a variation of Suzie Q, so I wouldn't even go as far as crediting it to the band, other than the fact that they did supply original lyrics. From that point onwards we get both rockier songs like "Out of Control", "Love games" and "OK to Cry", RnR numbers like "Keep me running"... more AOR-y numbers like "Against the wall" & "Something you should know" and pure ballads like the superb "All i need" & "Defenseless".
While not entirely originally, the songs are all interesting and well thought out and flow very nicely. It's an album that would probably grow after a few spins - but is held a bit back, by the lack of something a little more rousing... The band definitely shows great potential though and totally buries some other hapless female fronted bands from the US that have been making the rounds and have been trying to make a splash using the looks of their front women.
I really enjoyed Skin Deep and i m looking forward to hearing more from these NJ devils !
