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Back in ‘99 I bought Backyard Babies “Total 13″ and was absolutely blown away. I have been like a junkie needing a fix every since, getting my hands on anything from BYB that I can and the guys have never disappointed me. Since it’s been 2 years since Nicke Borg, Dregen, Johan Blomqvist, and Peder Carlsson released an album of new material I couldn’t wait to get this album in my hands.

Why these guys are not huge in the states confuses the hell out of me. When it comes to Backyard Babies, you know exactly what you are getting, which is straight up in your face rock that is going to beat you senseless and have you singing along while it happens. Which is exactly how the new album gets started with “Fuck Off & Die”. I have to admit the first time I heard I was a little disappointed, but the second time it felt like the song punched me square in face and kept beating me all the way to the end of the song. Peder play the drums on this song as if his life depended on it and Dregen pulls off a great solo. Nicke’s vocals are in your face from beginning to end. Johan is able to keep everyone in line and tight together.

Without giving me a chance to recover next in line is “Degenerated”. The best way to describe this song is BIG, Big sounding guitars, drums, and gang vocals, another great solo from Dregen. “Degenerated ” is definitely a roll the window down, crank the stereo, and sing along kind of song, as is most of the album.

While there isn’t a bad song on this album, “Come Undone” is my one of five favorite songs on the album. Peder once again plays like a monster on this track and Johan gets his chance with a very cool groove throughout.

The fifth track “Abandon” another one of my favorites gives your ears a break for a minute before starting the assault all over again and it continues all the way to the last song “Saved By The Bell”. While I would have preferred BYB went out with guns blazing they slowed it way down. This is the only song that Peder doesn’t get a chance to shine because there are no drums used on this track.

Fans of BYB know Dregen is the mastermind behind the band and along with Nicke the stars but Peder is the star on this album with phenomenal drumming throughout. In a year when some much great hard rock has been released BYB definitely made their case for Album of the Year with this release.

Rating:Out of 10

Track Listing:

01: Fuck Off And Die
02: Degenerated
03: Come Undone
04: Drool
05: Abandon
06: Voodoo Love Bow
07: Idiots
08: Ship
09: Nomadic
10: Back On The Juice
11: Where Were You
12: Zoe Is A Weirdo
13: Saved By The Bell

Backyard Babies are:

Nicke Borg – vocals, guitar
Dregen – lead guitar, backing vocals
Johan Blomqvist – bass
Peder Carlsson – drums

Reviewed by Rocknrollcoastie.