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Crazy Lixx: New Religion
Crazy Lixx New Religion new music review

Crazy Lixx: New Religion

Melodic Glam/Hard/Sleaze Rock
Rating: 4.75/5.0

Frontiers Records
www.myspace.com/crazylixxmusic
www.crazylixx.com
Review: Craig Hartranft,  04.04.2010

New Religion is the sophomore effort of Swedish rockers Crazy Lixx, now signed with Frontiers Records in Italy. Crazy Lixx is part of that (so-called) New Wave of Swedish Sleaze which emerged in the last decade, including such bands as Hardcore Superstar and Vains of Jenna, and making Sweden a national version of LA's Sunset Strip circa 1987. Honestly, in the opening seconds and chords of Rock and a Hard Place, a thought, "Buggers, another Scandi band trying to replicate the glory days of American glam rock. Ho-hum! After several spins of New Religion, there is more the hear than meets the ear. While derivative, in the very best sense, of that great era, New Religion is not redundant when Crazy Lixx invokes the influences of their peers.

When reviving the great melodic hard rock of the 1980's the issue is not so much can you imitate than can you get it right. Crazy Lixx does so with great energy and aplomb. While the bottom line may be the typical Sunset Strip sound, Crazy Lixx has the chops to rise above the typical consequences of the genre by suggesting an expansive influences. Significantly, you can hear the snappy hooks and layers of lavish vocal arrangements of Def Leppard on Blame it on Love, My Medicine, or Lock Up Your Daughter, over the general sleaze sound. 21 'Til I Die and Children of the Cross remind, if not pay homage, to the best of Skid Row, and possibly do it better. She's Mine finds Crazy Lixx in Aerosmith's land as a bluesy number with some bright piano accents. Even more convincing of the Aerosmith sound is the following number What of Our Love which nears the moments of Hole in My Soul or Amazing. Though these songs show Crazy Lixx's ability to refresh great music, some songs are typical melodic sleaze/glam rock from the day, including Rock and a Hard Place and The Witching Hour; fortunately, they are done very well.

While comparisons are inevitable, there is a fine sense of creativity invigorating Crazy Lixx's resurrection of the past. New Religion is not all copycat reminders of Poison or Motley Crue as so many modern sleaze bands from Sweden to Italy hope to show. No, there is real talent and genius here: Crazy Lixx invokes their musical history with fresh rockin' clarity. Very recommended!

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In Short

While comparisons are inevitable, there is a fine sense of creativity invigorating Crazy Lixx's resurrection of the past. New Religion is not all copycat reminders of Poison or Motley Crue as so many modern sleaze bands from Sweden to Italy hope to show. No, there is real talent and genius here.

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