Sebastian Bach - Kickingand Screaming

Fri 21st Oct, 2011 in Music Reviews

After over 20 years in the business Sebastian Bach is at it again and his unique voice is stronger and crisper than ever. If you are a fan of the original Skid Row albums then you are going to love Bach’s latest helping called Kicking and Screaming.

The album unleashes yet another ferocious helping of Bach inspired rock. It’s an honest depiction of how a Hard Rock album should sound. It does not sound forced and does not reinvent the wheel either. It’s a very easy rock album to listen to and is exactly what you would expect. Heavier songs such as Dirty Power and One Good Reason keep the metalhead happy and other notable numbers Lost in the Light and Wishin give the album real depth especially the ballads.It follows a simple formula that’s seldom used these days.

This album is more melodic than 2006’s extra heavy Angel Down and has been two years in the making. Bach worked with Bob Marlette who has also worked with the likes of Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper and Marilyn Manson and did a good job producing this album. Along with that this is the first album with young guitarist Nick Stirling. The addition of Marlette and Stirling has had a very positive influence on the album and the recording itself is something that Bach prides himself in. Of particular note the bass work seems beefed up this time around.

As well as being well produced the songs have catchy lyrics that can resonate with most. the self confessed perfectionist has been and is still going through some tough times. His home has been condemned due to Hurricane Irene and his marriage ended. He has been living out of a hotel and is looking forward to touring this album to see how the fans will respond, but the album is much deeper than just being about chicks and dicks.

There is a real heavy personal undertone on the album and obviously some quite private and emotional demons are explored. Songs like Wishing, Lost in the Light, Dance on Your Grave all seem to have elements of anger and sadness but the most prophetic is the track As Long as I Got the Music.

Bach won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but you have to admit he has remained incredibly busy over the years with various TV shows including a regular spot on Gilmore Girls and performances with other bands including appearing on Guns and Roses’ Chinese Democracy. Acts of Skid Row’s genre have been experiencing a renaissance in recent times, but don’t look to them reforming any time soon. Sebastian and band seem like they are having way to much fun on their own and its all there to listen to on Kicking and Screaming