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Crazy Lixx: Ruff Justice

Melodic Hard Rock/Metal

5.0/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 13.04.2017

Once more, it's time for Eighties deja vu. Channeling Sunset Strip sleaze style, Swedish melodic hard rockers Crazy Lixx return with their fifth studio album Ruff Justice. This recording features new guitarists Chrisse Olsson and Jens Lundgren in the band. Also, the album releases just ahead of their upcoming appearance at the Frontiers (Music) Rock Festival in Milan.

Crazy Lixx

Essentially, I gave everything away in the first 16 words of the first paragraph. Musically, Crazy Lixx takes you in their time machine and drops you in those wild and crazy, sexy and sleazy, days of of big hair, bullet belts, denim, and leather. (Oh yeah, and all those hot chicks in spandex and six-inch stilleto heels.) Their sound is straight up melodic hard rock with a metal edge and then carefully spun into an AOR wrapper. Every song oozes with strong melodies and harmonies, the latter notable in the twin guitar riffage, yet also in Danny Rexon's melodic voice teamed with the gang vocals. Also, rhythm and groove is at a premium here. The rhythm section lays down a strong, toe-tapping, hard rock groove. Next up is another usual suspect, some terrific guitar solos in every song. Crazy Lixx isn't rewriting a new book in their chosen genre, merely underlining it with broad strokes.

Once more they've crafted a fine album and, for the songs, I don't think there's runt in the litter. Here's a small taste. With Hunter Of The Heart you find stronger riffage for a heavy metal feeling. The riffs are also large within Wild Child, but it's the beat and groove that moves the song. Similar is XIII, where the bass line starts the groove and leads the song. Crazy Lixx taps into their AOR muse with Walk The Wire and Snakes In Paradise, both with sweet vocal arrangements and lighter guitar parts. A ballad comes with If It's Love. The song begins with voice over acoustic guitar and, like any good Eighties anthem, builds with a lush vocal arrangement before reaching the guitar solo crescendo.

Suffice to say, Ruff Justice is pure Crazy Lixx and doing what they do best, creating satisfying classic Eighties, straight out of the Sunset Boulevard, melodic hard rock. Good stuff, and easily recommended. Get it.

Crazy Lixx - Wild Child

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Ruff Justice is pure Crazy Lixx and doing what they do best, creating satisfying classic Eighties, straight out of the Sunset Boulevard, melodic hard rock. Good stuff, and easily recommended. Get it.

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eviewing my archives, I was pleased to find that I have had the privilege to review every Lionville since their self-titled debut in 2011. Formed by Stefano Lionetti, a songwriter, singer and guitarist based in ... [ Read More ]