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Casablanca: Apocalyptic Youth

Melodic Rock/AOR

4.0/5.0

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Rocket Songs
by Craig Hartranft,  03.05.2012

Casablanca is a new Swedish rock band that features American guitarist Ryan Roxie, who has worked with both Alice Cooper and Slash. Their debut album, Apocalyptic Youth is a rollicking platter of lively and catchy melodic rock.

Above, Casablanca: Humphrey Bogart suspiciously absent from the photo shoot.

A first spin had me thinking this was Hanoi Rocks washed through some Seventies Brit rock. Apocalyptic Youth is not necessarily 'hard' rock, though a song like Secret Agents of Lust could pass for edgier melodic rock. Mostly this is melody driven music with hip grooves and big hooks. So many songs here could go straight to singles. Currently, Downtown and Love and Desperation, the best song here and instant classic, are spinning as singles. Other fine tunes include Rich Girl (small nod to Hall & Oates within), The Juggler, and Beast of Summer, but Last of the Rockstars, not so much.

Overall, Casablanca's Apocalyptic Youth is entertaining melodic rock, easily destined for your car stereo and next road trip. Quite recommended.

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Casablanca's Apocalyptic Youth is entertaining melodic rock, easily destined for your car stereo and next road trip. Quite recommended.

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By now it's old news. Everybody in the prog universe knows: Dream Theater got the band back together. Drummer and founding member Mike Portnoy returned to his Dream Theater family to celebrate their 40th ... [ Read More ]