Debut album from this UK quartet who take their inspiration from Aerosmith, Zeppelin and The Stones with the aim being to drag the classic hard rock sound of the 70's kicking and screaming into the 21st Century. Already with more than 200 gigs to their name Livid have appeared alongside the likes of Diamond Head, The Answer and The Darkness with the latter's Justin Hawkins describing vocalist Psy Ward and guitarist Steven Paris as "the next Tyler and Perry".
But enough of the hype is their album actually any good? It's certainly high on energy and enthusiasm and the solos are particularly impressive but overall One leaves you with the lasting impression that Livid are simply trying too hard too emulate their heroes and the formula soon begins to wear thin. A typical example is the vocals on tracks such as the up-tempo blues rocker 'Devil's Bones' or the more groove infected 'Slide Song' where the Robert Plant-isms sound so forced and strained that you have a hard time taking them seriously. The album opens and closes with the two best cuts, 'Freakshow' throwing down the gauntlet and making you sit up and take notice and ballad 'Can't Find Home' offering a bittersweet close but in-between there is simply too much filler with 'Lost Lady Saloon' and 'Don't Hate The Player' coming off no better than pub rock standards. With so many strong contenders looking to follow in the wake of The Answer, Livid clearly have some way to go if they are to have any prospect of finding similar success.
Track Listing
Freakshow
Don't Hate The Player
The Supafly
Devil's Bones
Slide Song
Deserve
Lost Lady Saloon
Original Rockstar
Paraffin
Whatcha Doin' Ta Me?!
Way Past (The Point Of No Concern)
Can't Find Home
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