Lucky Bastardz
Always on the Run
Sleaszy Rider Records
2015
Lucky Bastardz are an Italian hard rock band born in Alexandria in 2008. They have so far released another two albums, of loud noizy rock ‘n metal, with this one being their third attempt.
They have been touring around, as much as possible, which is commendable, but while they do seem quite dedicated to their craft in that manner, I cannot unfortunately say that their output is something to get overly excited about, rather standard songs, a singer that on occasion will try to reach notes above his fach, with comical falsettos being obviously wide of the mark… and while the band can play, the fuzzy production doesn’t seem to help their cause much. Fuzzy doesn’t equal “dirty”, which might have been their intention…
The intro “Dawn of the Phoenix” had me almost expecting a power metal, double bass drum track to come bursting out of the speakers, with all its fake strings and “epic” air, but instead we get a bizarre little riffy glam metal number, called “Fuckinsnow” that might be fast and furious and not totally bad, but it’s weird since it’s all about “snowboarding”?! That terribly off key moment at 3:22, doesn’t do them any favors either.
The band continues to churn out more, mostly fast paced numbers, like “Back on My Feet” and the quirky “Tiger Hostel” but here, their singer, for the most part seems to be a little wiser and keeps to the lower register, that his gruffy voice seems to be made for. The ballad “The Sign on the Wall” ain’t half bad, surprisingly enough… and the passionate “Liar” that follows it, ain’t bad either, this time, with the band flirting with power metal influences, but opting for an acoustic outro to the song… go figure! “New Era” is a modern sleazoid, that tries to cover too many bases at once and misses the point, with also the vocal delivery not being too great either. “Edrugs” is condemning the overkill that getting more and more reliant on technology, to the point where it screws with your personality and habits. It’s OK, but a little too whacky/tacky.
“Wolf’s Lair” is way heavier, but rather uneventful. The fake “movie fx” are not adding any points either. “The Powder” is another ballad – a duet with some second voice – that sounds female, but rather oddly deep. Not too bad, at all. “Just Got Paid” is what you expect it to be, a rather well done ZZ Top cover... it’s a classy classic, that’s been treated with the due respect so np, here. Last on the album is “Circles on the Shore (Lamia)” which also features Michele Luppi (Secret Sphere) exchanging verses with the bands own singer Titian but while he’s clearly the superior singer, even Luppi, seems to oversing here, possibly trying to match the much rough voice of Titian.
Not too bad, but an average album from an average band with a rather mediocre singer, that doesn’t always know to stay within his safe-zone.
They have been touring around, as much as possible, which is commendable, but while they do seem quite dedicated to their craft in that manner, I cannot unfortunately say that their output is something to get overly excited about, rather standard songs, a singer that on occasion will try to reach notes above his fach, with comical falsettos being obviously wide of the mark… and while the band can play, the fuzzy production doesn’t seem to help their cause much. Fuzzy doesn’t equal “dirty”, which might have been their intention…
The intro “Dawn of the Phoenix” had me almost expecting a power metal, double bass drum track to come bursting out of the speakers, with all its fake strings and “epic” air, but instead we get a bizarre little riffy glam metal number, called “Fuckinsnow” that might be fast and furious and not totally bad, but it’s weird since it’s all about “snowboarding”?! That terribly off key moment at 3:22, doesn’t do them any favors either.
The band continues to churn out more, mostly fast paced numbers, like “Back on My Feet” and the quirky “Tiger Hostel” but here, their singer, for the most part seems to be a little wiser and keeps to the lower register, that his gruffy voice seems to be made for. The ballad “The Sign on the Wall” ain’t half bad, surprisingly enough… and the passionate “Liar” that follows it, ain’t bad either, this time, with the band flirting with power metal influences, but opting for an acoustic outro to the song… go figure! “New Era” is a modern sleazoid, that tries to cover too many bases at once and misses the point, with also the vocal delivery not being too great either. “Edrugs” is condemning the overkill that getting more and more reliant on technology, to the point where it screws with your personality and habits. It’s OK, but a little too whacky/tacky.
“Wolf’s Lair” is way heavier, but rather uneventful. The fake “movie fx” are not adding any points either. “The Powder” is another ballad – a duet with some second voice – that sounds female, but rather oddly deep. Not too bad, at all. “Just Got Paid” is what you expect it to be, a rather well done ZZ Top cover... it’s a classy classic, that’s been treated with the due respect so np, here. Last on the album is “Circles on the Shore (Lamia)” which also features Michele Luppi (Secret Sphere) exchanging verses with the bands own singer Titian but while he’s clearly the superior singer, even Luppi, seems to oversing here, possibly trying to match the much rough voice of Titian.
Not too bad, but an average album from an average band with a rather mediocre singer, that doesn’t always know to stay within his safe-zone.