Hansel
69 Minutes with... Hansel!
Prime Eon Media
2015
Taking a cue, from Zooleander, Hansel are an outlandish quintet from down under that seeks to reignite the fire of rock. Do they succeed? Well they certainly try, very hard…
They’ve been roaming the streets since 2007, bound by an oath of Rock ‘n’ Roll. These snakeskin/spandex clad novacastrian dudes, whose dress sense would probably make Steel Panther blush, suckerpunch the living shit out of the standard, boring, paper dry, modern so called “rock” bands, by leaving them in their wake with their big hair, big anthem, hard hitting, glam rock style.
20 unbelievably catchy, arena rock anthems that would make Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Guns ‘n Roses, etc. proud and Motley, Reckless Love and Steel Panther envious, are unleased upon the unsuspecting listener in this 3 in 1 anthology type release that combines their 3 Australian releases the album “Never Say Die” & their 2 hard to find EPs, “Mission to Rock” & “Fluorescent Blue Lights” all exec.produced by Anton Hagop, (an ARIA award winning music producer / engineer who has worked with the likes of Silverchair, Powderfinger, Will Smith, Missy Higgins, Natalie Imbruglia and The Superjesus.) in one 69 minutes/megaton bomb of hairspray heaven. Like the love children of the Gods of rock Hansel toy with the sound of a golden age and set it loose upon the world again.
The first EP, (tracks 1-4) “Mission to Rock” (2008) in less than 15 minutes, rocks the sweet bejesus outta you, opening with the Mage-Anthem “Murder 101” complete with a sing-along chorus that’s biggest than the Beatles and Jesus combined (and its incredible video – has to be seen to be believed!). We’re talking about “True Survivor” levels of epicness.
“Mission to Rock” is the band's motto and mission statement and their rockin acumen makes them succeed this mission without even trying... Groovy, primal, good time rock, which will surely get you going...
“Shot Down for Love” was one of the songs the band performed on “Australia’s got Talent” and made the crowd go bonkers! They were one of the firmest favorites to win, and only marginally lost getting to the finals, to some nonmusical performance acts. Still this six-shooter of a tune, will thrill ya, before it kills ya.
“Wildcat” a bit more playful, like a Tyger in bondage gear… (forget the dress), brassy and sassy this tune it’s sure to leave its mark on you...
Moving onwards to the full album (tracks 5-15) “Never Say Die” (2010) things get a tad more polished, but also more varied.
“I Don’t Need Saving (All I Need Is Rock ‘n’ Roll)” is an unbelievably groovy, rock anthem with a major hook, but also tons of rocking attitude... and a solo that’s more blazing than “Blazing Saddles” courtesy of “Grind” the band’s lead guitarist.
“Eruption” ain’t a cover of the Van Halen, fingerblaster, but an explosive, yet melodic original, with an incredibly infectious chorus and a totally irresistible riff… (and a pretty terrible video to go along with it)…
“Rock City” a live favorite introduces itself via a hot lead and proceeds to rock like a hurricane, everything that might stand in its way...
“On the Run” bases itself on a very funky riff, that might remind you of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” a bit, but is quite original and is just as catchy as fire...
“Wild Tonight” gets the “funk out”, in exchange of a major shot of rock up its arm. Snake and Ezi (Drum(s) and Bass) groove the funk out, while Jett Jones, the band’s frontman and possible illegitimate son of either The Diamond one or Hagar, or maybe both, just proceeds to get “wild”!
“Rocket-ship of Love” mixes New Jersey Jovi-isms with the allure of INXS more energetic tracks, in a track that just doesn’t let go…
“Between a Rock and a Hard Place” is a slower, bluesier and more ponderous track, with a “big” chorus which still manages to keep it's tongue firmly in cheek and not feel out of climate here...
“Vampire” is probably one of the most rocking tracks on the collection, weirdly combining an almost “gothic” background harmony with a very rocking foremost track, achieving a perfect, eerie rock ‘n roll, effect... without losing the glam-rock appeal… who-ever came up with the arrangement, is an evil-genius (dunno if that was Thruster Jones, the bands other guitarist) but I’m seriously gearing up with garlics and a wooden stake, just in case!
Next up there’s another, slightly more polished sounding version of “Murder 101” (possibly different mastering but otherwise pretty indistinguishable, than the version on the EP)…
“1-800-Pleasure-town” is yet another ridiculously cool, funky rocker, that’s catchier than herpes.... People like shit like Buckcherry’s “Crazy Bitch” – bitch please, this is 100 times better, in every way conceivable and doesn’t have to “shock” to get your “ass” down on the floor and moving!
Last but not least comes “The Whole Nine Yards” a funny little acoustic number, not as ironic, as GNR’s “I Used to Love Her...”, but entirely in the same vicinity when it comes to the overall style...
Onto the last and latest so far EP, (tracks16-20), “Fluorescent Blue Lights” (2013) things get even further refined and the band seems to figure out the use of harmonies even further, without however losing their edge.
“Hansel says it’s “Time to Rock” is a ridiculous, funny little number with amazing harmonies, crazy verses and a great chorus… the band’s so cocksure, of its charm that it doesn’t even feel compelled to put the title in the chorus, but opens a verse with it :D wow!
“Fluorescent Blue Lights” sounds pretty much like a tune from The Darkness, if they were a great band with a serious singer... no disrespect to the Brit-fireworkers, but they managed to go out of fashion almost as fast as their rise to fame lasted. Still going back to Hansel, its one more awesome little track...
“Running on Adrenaline” almost seemed plain in comparison, but it wasn’t long before a crazy repetitious little riff, gets its way and obliterates all “resistance” ..
“Stop” is probably one of the best hard rock tracks ever written with a huge, 80s chorus, that Desmond Child would have killed to have written… Bon Jovi, eat your heart our… or get these guys to open for ya :D (better yet, write an album for ya!)…
Last but not least, in this beast compilation is “Sweet Desperation”, drops the guard and even settles for a kinda goofy sing along chorus, but it’s still incredibly cool, either way… it’s a more laid back moment, that has a certain GNR quality about it, without sounding like a copy...
While strictly not a “new” release, this combo is a winner, in every possible way, since you get to discover one of the most awesome Hard Rock bands you’ve never heard and own their works so far in one move! 20 tracks, 69 minutes – great value for money if you do the math. I’m down for the count!
They’ve been roaming the streets since 2007, bound by an oath of Rock ‘n’ Roll. These snakeskin/spandex clad novacastrian dudes, whose dress sense would probably make Steel Panther blush, suckerpunch the living shit out of the standard, boring, paper dry, modern so called “rock” bands, by leaving them in their wake with their big hair, big anthem, hard hitting, glam rock style.
20 unbelievably catchy, arena rock anthems that would make Van Halen, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Guns ‘n Roses, etc. proud and Motley, Reckless Love and Steel Panther envious, are unleased upon the unsuspecting listener in this 3 in 1 anthology type release that combines their 3 Australian releases the album “Never Say Die” & their 2 hard to find EPs, “Mission to Rock” & “Fluorescent Blue Lights” all exec.produced by Anton Hagop, (an ARIA award winning music producer / engineer who has worked with the likes of Silverchair, Powderfinger, Will Smith, Missy Higgins, Natalie Imbruglia and The Superjesus.) in one 69 minutes/megaton bomb of hairspray heaven. Like the love children of the Gods of rock Hansel toy with the sound of a golden age and set it loose upon the world again.
The first EP, (tracks 1-4) “Mission to Rock” (2008) in less than 15 minutes, rocks the sweet bejesus outta you, opening with the Mage-Anthem “Murder 101” complete with a sing-along chorus that’s biggest than the Beatles and Jesus combined (and its incredible video – has to be seen to be believed!). We’re talking about “True Survivor” levels of epicness.
“Mission to Rock” is the band's motto and mission statement and their rockin acumen makes them succeed this mission without even trying... Groovy, primal, good time rock, which will surely get you going...
“Shot Down for Love” was one of the songs the band performed on “Australia’s got Talent” and made the crowd go bonkers! They were one of the firmest favorites to win, and only marginally lost getting to the finals, to some nonmusical performance acts. Still this six-shooter of a tune, will thrill ya, before it kills ya.
“Wildcat” a bit more playful, like a Tyger in bondage gear… (forget the dress), brassy and sassy this tune it’s sure to leave its mark on you...
Moving onwards to the full album (tracks 5-15) “Never Say Die” (2010) things get a tad more polished, but also more varied.
“I Don’t Need Saving (All I Need Is Rock ‘n’ Roll)” is an unbelievably groovy, rock anthem with a major hook, but also tons of rocking attitude... and a solo that’s more blazing than “Blazing Saddles” courtesy of “Grind” the band’s lead guitarist.
“Eruption” ain’t a cover of the Van Halen, fingerblaster, but an explosive, yet melodic original, with an incredibly infectious chorus and a totally irresistible riff… (and a pretty terrible video to go along with it)…
“Rock City” a live favorite introduces itself via a hot lead and proceeds to rock like a hurricane, everything that might stand in its way...
“On the Run” bases itself on a very funky riff, that might remind you of Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” a bit, but is quite original and is just as catchy as fire...
“Wild Tonight” gets the “funk out”, in exchange of a major shot of rock up its arm. Snake and Ezi (Drum(s) and Bass) groove the funk out, while Jett Jones, the band’s frontman and possible illegitimate son of either The Diamond one or Hagar, or maybe both, just proceeds to get “wild”!
“Rocket-ship of Love” mixes New Jersey Jovi-isms with the allure of INXS more energetic tracks, in a track that just doesn’t let go…
“Between a Rock and a Hard Place” is a slower, bluesier and more ponderous track, with a “big” chorus which still manages to keep it's tongue firmly in cheek and not feel out of climate here...
“Vampire” is probably one of the most rocking tracks on the collection, weirdly combining an almost “gothic” background harmony with a very rocking foremost track, achieving a perfect, eerie rock ‘n roll, effect... without losing the glam-rock appeal… who-ever came up with the arrangement, is an evil-genius (dunno if that was Thruster Jones, the bands other guitarist) but I’m seriously gearing up with garlics and a wooden stake, just in case!
Next up there’s another, slightly more polished sounding version of “Murder 101” (possibly different mastering but otherwise pretty indistinguishable, than the version on the EP)…
“1-800-Pleasure-town” is yet another ridiculously cool, funky rocker, that’s catchier than herpes.... People like shit like Buckcherry’s “Crazy Bitch” – bitch please, this is 100 times better, in every way conceivable and doesn’t have to “shock” to get your “ass” down on the floor and moving!
Last but not least comes “The Whole Nine Yards” a funny little acoustic number, not as ironic, as GNR’s “I Used to Love Her...”, but entirely in the same vicinity when it comes to the overall style...
Onto the last and latest so far EP, (tracks16-20), “Fluorescent Blue Lights” (2013) things get even further refined and the band seems to figure out the use of harmonies even further, without however losing their edge.
“Hansel says it’s “Time to Rock” is a ridiculous, funny little number with amazing harmonies, crazy verses and a great chorus… the band’s so cocksure, of its charm that it doesn’t even feel compelled to put the title in the chorus, but opens a verse with it :D wow!
“Fluorescent Blue Lights” sounds pretty much like a tune from The Darkness, if they were a great band with a serious singer... no disrespect to the Brit-fireworkers, but they managed to go out of fashion almost as fast as their rise to fame lasted. Still going back to Hansel, its one more awesome little track...
“Running on Adrenaline” almost seemed plain in comparison, but it wasn’t long before a crazy repetitious little riff, gets its way and obliterates all “resistance” ..
“Stop” is probably one of the best hard rock tracks ever written with a huge, 80s chorus, that Desmond Child would have killed to have written… Bon Jovi, eat your heart our… or get these guys to open for ya :D (better yet, write an album for ya!)…
Last but not least, in this beast compilation is “Sweet Desperation”, drops the guard and even settles for a kinda goofy sing along chorus, but it’s still incredibly cool, either way… it’s a more laid back moment, that has a certain GNR quality about it, without sounding like a copy...
While strictly not a “new” release, this combo is a winner, in every possible way, since you get to discover one of the most awesome Hard Rock bands you’ve never heard and own their works so far in one move! 20 tracks, 69 minutes – great value for money if you do the math. I’m down for the count!