Strutter mag: RAZOR BALL
RAZORBALL ‘RAZORBALL’ (MASCOT RECORDS)
RAZORBALL is a band the pure Rockfans will absolutely love, because they go
back in time with their retro groovy 70s Hardrocksound as if it was still 1975. The band is
made up of 4 musicians whom already made a name in the business, because included in
the line-up are producer/guitarist GREG HAMPTON (major producer of many big
names), producer/guitarist REEVES GABRELS (TIN MACHINE/DAVID
BOWIE), lead singer ROD JACKSON (SLASH’S SNAKEPIT) and
drummer/keyboardplayer STEFAN SVENSSON (HAMMERFALL,
GRAHAM BONNETT…). The CD this 4-some recorded is filled with high class
original 70s Hardrock that sounds like a mix between GLENN HUGHES,
MOTHER’S FINEST, LENNY KRAVITZ and WOLFMOTHER.
Without a doubt, this is a CD, which will be praised by the Rock Press and I completely
agree, although for the more Melodic Hardrock orientated fans it might sound a bit too
groovy here and there. Best comparison I can come up with is SOUL SIRKUS meets
BOOGIE KNIGHTS, yet less melodic. If this interests you, better check out their
site at: http://www.myspace.com/razorball
(Points: 8.2 out of 10)
Best Regards,
Evert Wubben
Copyright® Greg Hampton 2007. All Rights Reserved.
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Band: Razor Ball
Title: Razor Ball
Label: Mascot Records
'Razor Ball' is the self title debut from the LA based Razor Ball, a band that was
formed by the multi talented producer/songwriter/multi instrumentalist Greg Hampton,
the equally talented guitarist/songwriter and producer Reeves Gabrels, drummer and
keyboard player Stefan Svennson and completing the line up former Slash’s Snakepit
vocalist Rod Jackson.The band's debut is a mix of hard rock, blues and funk with great
results. As things get underway with ‘Sure Won’t Hurt You’, a track that shows off
Hampton’s talents as a multi instrumentalist as he play guitar bass, piano and percussion
on the track, together with the blues rock vocals of Jackson this is a great opener and will
be loved by lovers of good no nonsense classic bluesy rock.The next track ‘What’s The
Big Secret’ brings in those funk tones I spoke of earlier. A track that reminds my a little
of Dan Reed Network meets Living Colour and has a definite 80's feel to it. The band
keep the funk train rolling with one of my favourite tracks on the album ‘Dirt Ta Dust’.
After the funk it's time to bring in the hard rock aspects with another of my favourites
‘Danger (How Stupid Are You)’, which starts off with a bluesy refrain but then the
guitars just take over and make it their own, with Jackson showing why Slash’s ‘Aint Life
Grand’ sold some 580,000 copies as he lays down his finest vocals so far. Fans of that
album will just love this track.The hard rock sound is carried on into ‘What Do U Want
From U’ and the excellent ‘Temptation (Walks In)’ before things slow down a touch with
the terrific ‘Where Your Lucky’. A more melodic rock style track paves the way for
abstract sounds of ‘All Waiting 4 U’, a mix of jazz funk guitar and has a retro feel that
comes straight out of the 70’s with its Sitar and weird sampling (catch Hampton’s dog
Sparky barking and the cat which I’m afraid comes unknown).It's back to the more
traditional hard rock with ‘2 Busy Livin’, I say traditional but there are still a few surprise
elements in there such as a little Country and Western which is also thrown in to the mix.
All out track of the album for me has to be the rocker ‘Decadence’, a real down to earth
track with Jackson’s vocals shining through the gritty guitars of Hampton and Gabrels,
this is sleazy good time rock n' roll at its best.It's time to bring things down just a little with
the melodic tones of ‘Turned On The Moon’, a real show stopper this one with
Hampton shining again with some fine uncomplicated riffs that really make their mark on
the song.The album closes with ‘End Of The Line’, a real bluesy end to a great album
of mixed styles and influences that works really well, a great debut.
Tracklisting:1. Sure Won't Hurt You2. Whats The Big Secret3. Dirt Ta Dust4.
Danger (How Stupid Are You) 5. What Do U Want From U 6. Temptation (Walks
In) 7. Where Your Lucky 8. All Waiting 4 U 9. To Busy Livin 10. Decadence 11.
Turn On The Moon 12. End Of The Line
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