Metal Blade has really gone out on a limb by signing this band. The label has been a stalwart of the death metal scene for almost twenty years, rarely wavering from the tried and true sound. Then along comes Starwood, a hard rock band who has more in common with the New York Dolls, Sunset Strip sleaze circa 1987 and newer bands like Brides of Destruction and The Darkness. Named after a 70s Hollywood rock club, Starwood’s music is extremely catchy with hook-filled verses, a few sing-along choruses and guitar solos all over the place. The image and upbeat commercially viable songs are certainly a welcome sound.

“Subculture” is full of the same punk attitude exhibited by the Sex Pistols, while the shouted gang chorus is instantly memorable. “Won’t Back Down” borrows the riff from KISS’ “Shout It Out Loud” at the 2:35 mark, while “What’s Your Damage?” is chock full of Cheap Trick pop choruses. “All My Girlfriends Have Boyfriends” is the catchiest track on the CD and the chorus is absolutely infectious. “You’re So Real” and “Bad Machine” are built around a dirty riff that would make Slash himself proud. The guitars are the real draw here, Joe Steals and Lizzy craft the songs around some hot licks and messy riffs that personified mid-70s hard rock. The influences are obvious to anyone who grew up listening to hard rock and appreciate the music of T-Rex, Cheap Trick, L.A. Guns, Guns ‘n Roses, etc.

While Starwood is hardly redefining anything, they do a decent job of adding a modern touch to the music that peppered the radios of Gen-Xers. I love Cheap Trick to this day and my devotion to KISS is no secret, either, so Starwood should also have a soft spot in my heart. This CD is great music for cruising in your convertible and headbanging down the highway, while playing the hell out of your air guitar. Good on Metal Balde for taking a chance with these guys, because for good old-fashioned rock and rapin’ roll, look no further than Starwood.

KILLER KUTS: “Subculture,” “What’s Your Damage?,” “All My Girlfriends Have Boyfriends,” “Bad Machine”