Some bands really know how to lose momentum. Forming in 2013 and releasing the ‘Hard to Get EP’ (I’m still after that one!) it took three years to release their debut and here with a gap of Def Leppard-like proportions is their follow up a mere five years later. I must admit to having a real soft spot for that first record which was a modern Glam classic. So the lengthy delay and change of singer (new man Alex Waghorn is now on board) as well as the sort of album cover that Reckless Love might put out set the alarm bells ringing that we might also be looking at a change in sound.
Indeed opener ‘Tropical Thunder’ does rather make you think of a certain Finnish band with an album out next year. After the next few tracks it’s clear the record is a little less AOR than the first with ‘We Go Together’ and especially ‘Turn Back Time’ echoing that opener. Whether that impresses you or not will very much hang on that first salvo – it’s Melodic Hard Rock in the style of the times and it’s OK… The interesting thing for me is that this one actually just gets better,
Talking of Def Leppard – Track 4 ‘Are You Ready?’ taps that vein and you know as soon as the drums and backing vocals kick in, sure its derivative, and also has a little Euro Pop feel but it’s also where the album really starts for me. They do feel the need to tick all the boxes though, and ‘Cady’ is the requisite ballad that sees new vocalist Alex mark his ground. It’s a cool song.
Deeper in ‘New York Nights’ revisits that sound we had on the opening salvo, rich, melodic and nice and slick, but just misses a huge hook. ‘All You Need’ gives the synths a good workout, and nice swing and that Euro Pop feel again; whilst ‘ Line In The Sand’ sees us in moodier territory with dark verses offset with uplifting choruses. It’s one of my favourites here.
The final three start with ‘Moonshine Bayou’ a strut that makes you think of bands like Roxx Gang, Sweet F.A, and even D’Molls, it seems ‘de rigueur’ at the moment to have a bluesier, earthier number like this on melodic albums (usually with the name Voodoo in the title and with a reference to Tattoos – and this has both!). I kind of like it, even though its rather the odd one out and it’s got a great swing and hooky chorus too.
Interestingly is one of the songs that most reminds me of the debut ‘Paralyzed’ – a great melodic AOR Rocker that has a great balance of keys, guitar and soaring vocals that is my favourite. This is the sound that can elevate Cruzh – if only there was more here! Another convention is ticked off by the last track – as most albums do these days we end with a wildcard – the acoustic ‘N.R.J.C.’ – a gentle ballad and it’s OK, but I must admit I would have been more impressed if the previous track had the final word. Is it as good as the debut? I’ll lave that for you to decide, but there are moments here that make you wonder
why it’s taken so long and other moments when you just want more!
7.50/ 10
TRACKLIST: Tropical Thunder | We Go Together | Turn Back Time | Are You Ready? | Cady | New York Nights | All You Need | Line In The Sand | Moonshine Bayou | Paralyzed | N.R.J.C.