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by Craig Hartranft, 03.05.2012
If you don't remember Bang Tango, or haven't caught up on their recent escapades, checking out their latest album, Pistol Whipped in the Bible Belt, should be on your 'to do' list. This is a solid album American hard rock.
Bang Tango emerged at the end of Eighties with their seminal, and highly regarded, Psycho Cafe. Their sound was a fusion of the current hair/glam melodic style, but with a noticeable infusion of groove and funk. Still led by original vocalist Joe Leste, Bang Tango has had a revival over the last 10 years or so, releasing three new albums since 2004. The band has evolved, sounding more like heavier melodic hard rock band, with lots of grit and gusto. But Pistol Whipped in the Bible Belt also revisits some of that groove that made their earlier material more viable than most of their peers (that is before the whole scene got crushed by the grunge wave.)
Dick in the System and Suck It Up are examples of the more hard rock side of the album. Bring on the World delivers that first punch of accessible and friendly groove, and Leste at his Steven Tyler raspiness. But the most interesting, and entertaining, material begins with Live Life, where Bang Tango gets that groove on all the way to the end. With Live Life, I Like It, Boom Box Seance or the title track, you want to bang your head and tap your toes, maybe even put on your dancing shoes. Nice stuff.
Overall, Bang Tango's Pistol Whipped in the Bible Belt is a solid return to form for the band, great groove-driven American hard rock.
Bang Tango's Pistol Whipped in the Bible Belt is a solid return to form for the band, great groove-driven American hard rock.
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