Naked - Get Naked

Naked is a Swedish melodic Hard rock /AOR band formed by Mats Stat tin, playing the kind of rock that is very reminiscent of the kind of stuff coming out in the early 90's, like a softer Helloween (Pink Bubbles Go Ape and Chameleon era). The songs are well written, and its refreshing to here this kind of music again especially as its written and performed so well!
I was surprised how good they sounded. Not sensational but still very good with a singer Petri Vehviläinen who sounds some what like Bjorn Lodin(Baltimore)!
If nothing more Naked offer a great walk down memory lane, but lets not sell this band short, the songs are generally very good, the production is ok, a little thin in place's maybe, with a little too much emphasis on the keyboards, this album really needs the drums to have a heavier/more powerful sound which would then raise the songs to the next level.
A good solid album, not going to set the world on fire, but enjoyable all the same.

Rating 7/10

Uzi - Madhouse review

Eonian Records here release another retrospective collection of songs by another one of the bands that fell by the wayside back in the early 90's.
UZI formed in late 1986 out of the ashes of KIDD. They started out as Dillinger, but soon changed to UZI. Uzi were influenced by the metal rock wave ridden by bands like AC/DC and Motley Crue, bursts from the gates with full force, pedal to metal, hook laden and groove driven hard rock on Madhouse. Title track, Rocker, and the rippin' Do What I Do throw caution to the wind with swaggering riffs and blistering tempos within a huge arena sound. Later, the explosive Raise Hell and the nasty, sarcastic Wreckerd Man blow the roof off.
Most of the songs from the 1980's reflect the hard rock sounds that were in style back then. I hear Ratt, Skid Row and even Guns and Roses as influences. The production quality is consistent throughout even if the styles very slightly. They opt mainly for a mid-tempo approach, but handle a ballad good enough as well. Some of their later tracks are slightly heavier and much like someone like Skid Row on "Slave to the grind" they were attemting to keep up with the trend of heavier music becoming slightly more in fashion at the time. Really they still sound good on these songs even if it may not be their first choice in musical directions.
This album is thoroughly enjoyable mainly because UZI really knew how to pull off and sell that great hook within each of their songs.

A highly reconmended album foe anyone wanting a musical blast from the past, or just someone wanting to check out what might have been.

rating 8/10