Mark Rice
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Pink Steel's hugely metallic odes to brown love
From the opening riff of 'Sausage Party', this album's intentions are clear - to rock you like a gay hurricane and leave you, quite literally, gagging for more. 'Sausage Party' wears its influences on a studded sleeve; listen carefully and you'll hear bits of Motley Crue, with a pinch of Judas Priest and a sprinkling of Ace Frehley-style spiralling guitar.
'Converter' dares to unlock the gayness that is, allegedly, in all men. Hanson Jobb's vocals on this track are reminiscent of a poofy, pissed-off Andrew Eldritch from Sisters of Mercy, with a touch of Halford thrown in when he wants to hit the high notes.
'I'm Coming Out (All Over You)' is a mid-paced rocker, musically rooted very much in early '80s Crue, but lyrically light years ahead of the Motley simpletons. How about, "I turn a room of men into a buffet," for a prime example.
'Frodonator' is the album's token dark, epic track. I can't help thinking of Spinal Tap's 'Stonehenge' when I listen to this track. Lyrically, it explores the homosexual and bestial undercurrents in Tolkien's literature.
'Johnny, Are You Queer?' is the album's Bon Jovi-esque ballad moment. Imagine 'Livin' on a Prayer' crossed with Motley Crue's 'You're All I Need' and painted pink, then you'll have a rough idea of the track's vibe.
'Cock Fight' is the gay brother of Britny Fox's 'Girlschool'.
'More to Love' expounds the virtues of the chunkier male. A Marc Bolan-ish glam sound animates the track, right down to the handclaps and chanted choruses.
'We Fight for Cock' manages to lyrically mock both U2 and Megadeth within the first 30 seconds. Musically, it's Britny Fox meets Poison.
I won't spoil the wee surprise of the hidden track, but I will say that it's worth the wait.
As I mentioned earlier, this album wears its influences on a studded, glittery sleeve. There are hints of KISS, Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, Judas Priest, Accept, T. Rex, the Sweet, Britny Fox, Poison. The album, however, manages to avoid being derivative. It melds its heroes together into a mixture that's original, loud, accessible, clever, and very, very funny.
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