The Hellacopters | Rock & Roll Is Dead

The Hellacopters have gone through some musical development in their existence. After having started as some sort of sleazepunkrock outfit they eventually moved towards a more musical, less sleazy and more mature form of Swedish Rock 'N' Roll, with evident roots in the Detroit rocksound. To go through such a development takes guts, vision and heart - and that's what The Hellacopters seem to not lack. Their latest two albums, By The Grace Of God (2002) and Strikes Like Lightning (2004) showed a departure in sound and production, for which I think we owe to thank producer Chips Kiesbye. Less distorted guitars, tighter drums and less-cliché arrangements paint the picture of a band that is eager to make a step forward instead of repeating itself. Of course, the boys had to top their excellent 2000 album High Visibility and they somewhat did that with their latest two albums. Now there's Rock & Roll Is Dead, a new album that could take it one step further.

Before The Fall is the kick-start beginning of Rock & Roll Is Dead and it's obvious that Rock & Roll is not dead. The Hellacopters do not try to do anything new - as they admit in the rocker Nothing Terribly New - but since when do we complain if there's a Chuck Berry groove in the house? It immediately reminded me of the first song of MC5's 1970 record Back In The U.S.A., Tutti Frutti. Throw away all pretences, there's gonna be some rocking tonight! Songs like Bring It On Home, I'm In The Band and I Might Come See You Tonight are from the same background. Fortunately, The Hellacopters manage to add some depth in their songwriting with the swampy, Creedence Clearwater Revival-inspired No Angel To Lay Me Away and Leave It Alone, where they give a respectful nod to blue-eyed soul - for those who appreciate this kinda Soul Rock I recommend listening to The Solution's Communicate!, on which Hellacopter Nicke collaborates with Scott Morgan. Of course Nicke is way too limited to ever become one of the great vocalists, but he has a voice and vocal approach that suits the attitude of The Hellacopters. It's not as gritty or angry as Iggy Pop's punkrock, but the controlled approach definately has a say in my book. Put Out The Fire exactly states what I'm saying here.

All in all, The Hellacopters created a rockin' melodic album with an edge, with enough diversity to keep the listener sitting the whole thing through for - say - three times in a row. That doesn't take too much time, because this band has a strong taste for short, pointy songs that last no longer than four minutes. If you think this description intends to stress a certain resemblance between the 'Copters and The Ramones, you're absolutely right. In their own existence, The Hellacopters took the development one step further. It's not as great as Strikes Like Lightning - which in fact is an interim record to keep the fans where they're at! - or High Visibility, but any endorser of '70ies punkrock should go and give this album a chance.

Mike

www.hellacopters.com
View video for 'Everything's On T.V.' & 'I'm In The Band'
View live version of 'No Angel To Lay Me Away'