Backyard Babies: Four By Four

I didn't know whether to whoop and holler in delight when Backyard Babies announced an end to their five, or so, year hiatus, or to allow a feeling of impending disappointment to slowly creep over me. The fear of a somehow less hungry band being a mere shadow of what these sleazy Swedes had previously been, unavoidable. Thirty-three seconds in and that question was answered, a Slash riff and cavorting cowbell ushering in a surprisingly clipped sound to great effect; "Th1rt3en Or Nothing" an anthemic fist puncher. The Michael Monroe like "I'm On My Way To Save Your Rock n' Roll" simply seals the deal, a punchy beat and Dregen's pounding riff all you need to start your slide into rock n' roll debauchery.

In fairness it's a more civilised, organised and polite level of debauchery than BYB made their name with, but Nicke Borg's vocals still spit and snarl, his and Dregen's guitars still hold you against the wall, your toes barely grazing the ground, and bassist Johan Blomquist and drummer Peder Carlsson still hit without relent. However, for all the sleazy undercurrent is still in evidence and the rock n roll lifestyle still oozes from every snare smack and fret flurry, this is a more refined, more focused outfit than the one that left us. That Backyard Babies still sound as vital and dangerous in these slightly altered surrounds is to their immense credit.

"Bloody Tears" slows things down and while it won't win any prizes for originality, it's still a cool power ballad, while "Never Finish Anything" and its shout of 'No solution, no problem!' is the album's most memorable ear catcher. Factor in an immensely satisfying mid-paced throb in the shape of "Mirrors (Shall Be Broken)" or the rockin' rumble of "Wasted Years" and "White Line District" (another Monroe/Hanoi Rocks for a new era outburst) and every base is covered quite masterfully. "Piracy" reminds of Dregen's time working with Ginger Wildheart, a punk n' roll vibe covered in glistening hooks, while album closer "Walls" morphs into a hugely authentic bluesy stumble-shuffle of some note; Ginger's influence also in evidence here too. Four By Four may not initially be the all out, stumble-about sleazy slice of craziness expected from this ramshackle bunch, but d'you know what? It's maybe all the better for not being so.

A scintillating, memorable and utterly unforgettable comeback. No matter your expectations, who could ask for more?

Track Listing
1. Th1rt3en or Nothing
2. I'm on My Way to Save Your Rock 'N' Roll
3. White Light District
4. Bloody Tears
5. Piracy
6. Never Finish Anything
7. Mirrors (Shall Be Broken)
8. Wasted Years
9. Walls

Added: December 24th 2015
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Backyard babies on Facebook
Hits: 2126
Language: english

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