| The
Review |
Where does one start out when talking about the new record
from the late 80's (gulp) commercial hair metal trendsetters?
Well, first off, we have Jamie ST. James from Black N' Blue
replacing Lane on vocals while the rest are all original or
longtime members that are in the fold, so expectations should
be high considering that all hair metal connoisseurs are familiar
with the catchy hooks that both bands have provided, right.
Instead of re-dubbing the past, everybody involved has reinvented
themselves as a "new" Warrant; and this new Warrant offers
a grittier more raunchy sound than their pervious efforts,
in focus with a more straightforward hard rock sound, but
that focus stays a little too much on the straight and narrow.
More than just a connation of their commercial past (and
thankfully not producing another Belly to Belly), the band
has created an album that is along the lines of Cinderella,
Sleeze Beez, and Buckcherry, with even some Guns n' Roses
swagger built in at times; obviously the band still punches
out their version of party metal. Cuts such as "Devil's Juice,"
"Down in Diamonds," and "Dirty Jack," are Born Again's stand
out rockers. The closest thing that gets close to a ballad
is "Glimmer," however, there is more power behind it than
tracks like "I Saw Red," so they show us that they can stay
away from all of the syrupy connotations.
Born Again stays consistent throughout, maybe too consistent
that is, with many songs repeating the same structure, lacking
some diversity. Sure there are hooks and catchiness, but do
we need the same songs sort of repeated a few times; no. Nevertheless,
the music does have the big crank up factor, but for most
fans it will be hit or miss, depending on the expectations.
It is their best album since Dog Eat Dog, and although Born
Again attempts to recapture that "tougher" sound, it's not
quite there, but it almost is.
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