Post by Erik Rupp on Aug 15, 2009 9:54:04 GMT -5
AIRBOURNE - Runnin' Wild (2007)
Just when it seemed like classic styled traditional Hard Rock had been left in the past or only used as something of a campy, tongue in cheek gimmick, a band came screaming out of Australia. That band was Airbourne.
Airbourne has, rightly, been compared to AC/DC, but also has some clear influences from other Australian Hard Rock bands like Rose Tattoo and The Angels (Angel City), among others. Also likely influencing this rowdy band from Down Under are bands like Motorhead, early Aerosmith, early KISS, Ted Nugent, and Guns 'N' Roses. Having said all of that, AC/DC is obviously the biggest influence on Airbourne, something that gives the album it's charm.
Runnin' Wild features absolutely NOTHING new stylistically, but what it does feature are eleven ass kicking Hard Rock tracks with attitude to spare to go along with the solid riffs and great hooks. The energy and passion coming from this band on this album is undeniable, and it is infectious. Let's face it, it's hard NOT to start playing air guitar to tracks like, "Runnin' Wild," and "Stand Up For Rock and Roll." It's hard NOT to start singing along to the hooks for songs like, "Diamond in the Rough," and "Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast."
Runnin' Wild brings one killer song after another in rapid fire succession, with just enough stylistic variation to keep the album from having that, "Samey," kind of feel (where all the songs start to run together and sound the same). Other highlights include the frantic, "Blackjack," the more goove-laden, "Cheap Wine & Cheaper Women" (which has something of a, "Walk This Way," Aerosmith kind of riff), and the infectious, "Heartbreaker."
The production on Runnin' Wild (the album) is outstanding. Producer Bob Marlette did a great job of laying down the tracks with Engineer Dave Schiffman, and Andy Wallace & John O'Mahony did a great job with the mix, showing off the bands energy and power.
Sure, as noted before, this album features nothing new musically. But while it may be largely a re-hash of stuff done 20 or 30 years ago it is done with such enthusiasm and honesty that it works. Not just a little, but it works brilliantly. On Runnin' Wild Airbourne perfectly captures what makes this type of Rock and Roll so great. It's fun, and that's what Rock and Roll was all about in the first place.
Interestingly enough, this album is just another example of history repeating itself. There was (and still is) a band out of Switzerland called Krokus who was accused in the early 80's - like Airbourne now - of, "Ripping off," AC/DC's style. Krokus' 1982 album One Vice at a Time was another great take on a classic Hard Rock style. That album was, and is, just as good as much of AC/DC's material - as is most of Runnin' Wild - which makes any stylistic borrowings completely forgivable. (And a lot of people don't realize that AC/DC borrowed heavily from the band Status Quo when developing their style, so AC/DC wasn't exactly original, either!)
Bottom line? If you like AC/DC or rowdy Hard Rock with great hooks then chances are that you'll really like Airbourne's Runnin' Wild!
4.5/5
Just when it seemed like classic styled traditional Hard Rock had been left in the past or only used as something of a campy, tongue in cheek gimmick, a band came screaming out of Australia. That band was Airbourne.
Airbourne has, rightly, been compared to AC/DC, but also has some clear influences from other Australian Hard Rock bands like Rose Tattoo and The Angels (Angel City), among others. Also likely influencing this rowdy band from Down Under are bands like Motorhead, early Aerosmith, early KISS, Ted Nugent, and Guns 'N' Roses. Having said all of that, AC/DC is obviously the biggest influence on Airbourne, something that gives the album it's charm.
Runnin' Wild features absolutely NOTHING new stylistically, but what it does feature are eleven ass kicking Hard Rock tracks with attitude to spare to go along with the solid riffs and great hooks. The energy and passion coming from this band on this album is undeniable, and it is infectious. Let's face it, it's hard NOT to start playing air guitar to tracks like, "Runnin' Wild," and "Stand Up For Rock and Roll." It's hard NOT to start singing along to the hooks for songs like, "Diamond in the Rough," and "Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast."
Runnin' Wild brings one killer song after another in rapid fire succession, with just enough stylistic variation to keep the album from having that, "Samey," kind of feel (where all the songs start to run together and sound the same). Other highlights include the frantic, "Blackjack," the more goove-laden, "Cheap Wine & Cheaper Women" (which has something of a, "Walk This Way," Aerosmith kind of riff), and the infectious, "Heartbreaker."
The production on Runnin' Wild (the album) is outstanding. Producer Bob Marlette did a great job of laying down the tracks with Engineer Dave Schiffman, and Andy Wallace & John O'Mahony did a great job with the mix, showing off the bands energy and power.
Sure, as noted before, this album features nothing new musically. But while it may be largely a re-hash of stuff done 20 or 30 years ago it is done with such enthusiasm and honesty that it works. Not just a little, but it works brilliantly. On Runnin' Wild Airbourne perfectly captures what makes this type of Rock and Roll so great. It's fun, and that's what Rock and Roll was all about in the first place.
Interestingly enough, this album is just another example of history repeating itself. There was (and still is) a band out of Switzerland called Krokus who was accused in the early 80's - like Airbourne now - of, "Ripping off," AC/DC's style. Krokus' 1982 album One Vice at a Time was another great take on a classic Hard Rock style. That album was, and is, just as good as much of AC/DC's material - as is most of Runnin' Wild - which makes any stylistic borrowings completely forgivable. (And a lot of people don't realize that AC/DC borrowed heavily from the band Status Quo when developing their style, so AC/DC wasn't exactly original, either!)
Bottom line? If you like AC/DC or rowdy Hard Rock with great hooks then chances are that you'll really like Airbourne's Runnin' Wild!
4.5/5