99 Crimes - '99 Crimes'

(Perris Records)

Do you ever wonder what Dangerous Toy’s Paul Lidel is up to nowadays well ponder it no more here he is with his latest outfit 99 Crimes! I have to admit this one snuck up and bit me on the backside, I loved the energy of this highly enjoyable album immediately. I listened to it first before I knew who is in the band so I was unintentionally listening without preconceptions but once I saw who the main man was I was surprised but it explained the style of the music instantly, it is very much in the vein of what we know Lidel for.

Fans of Paul Lidel are in for a real treat with 99 Crimes, he is in top form vocally and with his guitar work. I really like this guys voice and unlike a lot of sleazy rock vocalists this dude has a good range and genuinely can sing!

It’s not a retro record but it’s definitely an evolution of Lidel’s melodic rock song writing so those eighties rock roots are apparent throughout. It does have some modern power pop touches to it but don’t be mistaken this is sleaze rock to the core that will have Lidel’s established fanbase foaming at the mouth.

The only real downside to this album is I fear it lacks one or two more instant, radio friendly hook infused choruses to really catapult this one into the stratosphere and really get it’s hooks in us. This is only a minor quibble and there are some great choruses to enjoy but there’s not one specific song the screams ‘radio hit’ or ‘obvious single’.

It’s a solid album with no filler just eleven high quality songs, with punchy choruses and sleazy guitar riffs in abundance. Album opener ‘Devil In Your Dreams’ grabs you instantly and the following tracks don’t let you go with their infectious energy from ‘Fool’ to ‘Blood From A Stone’ and back to ‘Crystal Ball’ I found myself returning to this album repeatedly.

99 Crimes is for fans of Dangerous Toys (obviously!) Kix and bands on the sleazy side of melodic rock. It’s quality energetic rock n roll that will please genre fans and have plenty reaching for the volume control to crank it right up!

7/10

Essential Track - 'Crystal Ball'

Review by Woody