Turbonegro - Scandinavian Leather REVIEW

Turbonegro - Scandinavian Leather: A

Ok, I admit it, I was influenced by a music video to purchase a CD --- I almost feel dirty now. Of course, you know with me, it never comes easy.

So as I was browsing the streaming vid portion of the loudest website on the Net (hint, hint), I discovered this really weird vid with this guy in a black tophat and all DENIM, King Diamond streaky grease paint makeup, chamber dancing, and ballerinas --- oh yeah, and the music was good too. The vid title I can't write out in full because of the language, but its acronym is well known "FTW" --- or for you students of vernacular, I am quite indignant and dismayed with the state of the world

Our first crack of this new dawn of reviews concerns a little band from Norway called Turbonegro that once broke up due to ahem, religious differences --- how serious that rationale is, is of no consequence ... for the music, ah yes, the music! ... is quite good in my opinion. T

This band is one that many opinionmakers in the music industry view as the most controversial in the 90s, all due respect to Mr. Spooky, Marilyn. The album "Scandinavian Leather" is their first in 5 years or so, the title almost smacks of that cheap cologne "English Leather" (but that irony may be mine alone).

The way that they rock on this album --- wow, it's the rock of a very hungry band. The vibe of this CD is so dynamic and the performances so full of zest that you almost wonder whether "they missed working together". This is one of those albums where you wish you could describe it better than to say, it rocks, but that's quite simply what it does: it rocks!

Their sound is a melange of styles, tempo and attitude. The closest descriptor I can put on it: punk/post-punk attitude (and structure on some songs), 70s style big arena rock homage sounding guitar stylings and power choruses, some dabbling with metal, progressive rock sounding elements, glammy vibe. And the lyrics are fun in all capital letters, they take their performance quite seriously, but their topics are interesting to say the least. 'Everybody sell your body', 'sell your body to the night' is an example, and if this was '85, this group would be hit on by that long standing arbiter of gore, fun and culture, the PMRC

The highlights on this album include:

The second track "Wipe it till it bleeds", which is really a great example of what this band's music is like, you have this kind of blend between Bowie-ish post punk with Deep Purple Woman from Tokyo feel. This is kind of big splashy 1970s vibe that the first incarnation of KISS would put out, just great mutated arena rock with a terribly infectious hook and chorus

The punk origins of Turbonegro are explored with "Gimme some". Real straightforward punk styled rhythms with elements of hard rock that remind of The Donnas or HalfCocked --- punky straightforward riff rock that is catchy as hell. "Turbonegro must be destroyed" sounds like Mike Muir and Suicidal guys did the song, again just a really listenable straight forward punky/metal/groove vibe.

You want some really unique ear candy, it is here as well. "Sell your body (to the night)" sounds as if B-Side from KISS "I was made for loving you" --- 70s/80s styled glam metal guitar rock vibe --- ear candy that then takes you on a driving outro that is Motorhead-esque ---sleazy and dirty as hell.

You want more ear candy? Try on "F---The World", the single --- What happens when a song rocks hard and has a great postmodern feel? I think it should mean airplay, however the topic and language kills that idea dead. This is the best track on the album, it has a creepy quality to it that recalls the vibe of scary guy Mr. Alice the Golfer, but it is just an over the top, orchestra laden, hard rock masterwork --- brilliant

The band manages to blend style so well and effortlessly that they must be commended on that. There are many examples of blending punk stomp with 80s hard rock lead guitar doodles; blending glam, punk, and hard rock like that late 80s Los Angeles experiment of ballistic weapons and flowers; or blending Ramonesy vibe with 70s styled power rock vocal harmonies

This band does it all --- oh yeah, FLUTE SOLO!!!! I make fun of Jethro Tull quite a bit, and lots of times in reference to their Metal grammy. "Ride With Us" is such a great hard rock song that has so much punk attitude and just good old rockingness--- that has an EEK! Flute solo! But even with the flute, it ain't cheesy

I guess that's my conclusion about this band, they take a lot of styles that perhaps in the singular many would consider to be passe or old hat --- or even worse cheesy, and retune them, blend them, and creatively present them in a way that is really fun to listen to

I suppose that if you saw their unique look of denim and makeup, felt the alternative sexual vibe, and their lead singer's antics which combine buttocks and igniting small pyrotechnic devices --- and perhaps knew bigger than hell in Europe, perhaps you would consider them maybe a bit too cool ... or weird, for the room to a listener in the world's lonely --- I mean, only superpower

I guess it takes a particular person to love their music, but I think everyone can find something to like about this music, and that's not in some made for airplay way. This is just good old fashioned fun rock that takes many of the elements that I like from the distant past, freshens them up and turns out great sounding stuff ... and if you don't like that, they LOOK scary ... ha

From the Luau, this one is really worth a listen especially if it's in a listening station at your brick and mortar of convenience. We think you may just like what you hear from this eccentric yet accessible band.