Bai Bang: All Around The World

Although their history dates back to the melodic rock heyday of the 80s Bai Bang released only their seventh album in 2011 through the wildly energetic burst of good time riffs and choruses that was Livin' My Dream. The album was received with great enthusiasm, leading to a quick-fire follow up in the shape of All Around The World.

This album positively bursts into life through "Everybody Everywhere", which kicks in mid-chorus, no introduction, no atmospheric build up, no bullshit. Instead it is straight in there with layered vocals, keyboards holding down the back-line while the drums pulsate and the guitars grind. It is a sure fire way to grab your attention and ensure you buy into this latter day Def Leppard meets heyday Danger Danger good time rock. From there it is a case of why break a winning formula? "Gonna Make It" positively pushes you over with the force of the chant along vocals and layers of bright keyboards, while the guitars are allowed to roam free during a searing solo. "Crazy" adds to the Leppard feel through staccato guitar bursts and a mid-paced attack, while the song that takes its name from the band who created it, "Bai Bang", explodes into view all shaking hips and pouting lips - meaning we're on to a winner.

As ever in this style, a few slower number have to be squeezed in and if Bai Bang show their best side when they are kicking the air and punching out the good times, then it is in the balladry of powerness where they and especially vocalist Diddi Kastenholt come slightly unstuck. Album closer "Get It On" shows that having the vocalist hold on to the big notes for any length of time, isn't necessarily the best idea, while "Now You're Gone" proves how well the likes of Europe do a mid-paced emotional stomp, Bai Bang simply not having the gravitas to pull it off. That said two missed steps out of ten tracks is a pretty high strike rate in the world of 2013 melodic rock, so let's crack open the beers, get the party started and invite Bai Bang round to "Raise Your Hands", ask "How About Now" and usher in "Summertime" All Around The World- sun, rain or hail, you know they'll bring the good times.

Track Listing
1. Everybody Everywhere
2. Gonna Make It
3. Crazy
4. Bai Bang
5. How About Now
6. Raise Your Hands
7. Summertime
8. Now You're Gone
9. All Around The World
10. Get It On

Added: April 27th 2013
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Bai Bang Online
Hits: 2695
Language: english

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