Big Bang - Too Much Yang
Big BangToo Much Yang
Grand Sport Records
****1/2Superb slice of swagger rock from one of the hottest acts to come out of the Arctic Circle
It has to be said that one thing we do get from the current crop of Scandinavian artists plying their trade in the UK is enthusiasm, and I mean bucket loads of the stuff. They all seem to possess a hunger to succeed and really do go the extra mile. This is the sixth studio album from Norway’s Big Bang, basically a powerhouse three-piece comprising vocalist/guitarist Oystein Greni, bassist Lasse Weeden and on drums Olaf Olsen. The eleven tracks that make up this album were all written or co-written by guitarist Oystein and this really is classic rock to a high standard. I am a great believer in the fact that the opening track on any release has to be one of the best, a track that makes you sit up and take notice and Too Much Yang hits the nail right on the head. The track starts with just a simple drum beat, for about ten seconds, then, the buzz saw guitar hits you between the eyes, great riff and a vocal delivery that could make your blood ooze from every orifice! You can actually hear and understand the lyrics; this certainly increased my heart rate considerably. The following track Hurricane Boy is just as good, no overlong guitar solos, just a great rock song, once again great riff, great rhythm, and great vocals. When I first heard the opening bars of I Don’t Wanna I thought Keef, the Stones, get the air guitar out, no surprise then that the band have been invited to support the Rolling Stones on the Norwegian leg of their European tour. LA Song is very reminiscent of the Chilli Peppers, pure funk rock showing a more mellow sound, good harmony, lovely guitar solo, but still retaining that swagger. This band is good, very good. Oystein Greni is a great guitarist, one of the best exponents of classic rock guitar that I have heard for a long time, this guy plays with a real conviction and fire. The band stray towards country rock on The Third Act, a great line in the song goes like this ‘she rose from the chair, with a stiff smile, in a tight dress, we’ve seen her before, she went for the door,’ I can just picture that. We start getting a bit jangly with All The Time this would make a good single release, the song has a great hook, lovely melodic guitar and a good chorus, this is summer pop rock at its best, think Dodgy for a comparison. Early December returns to the hard rock sound, driving beat, spat out vocal, good harmony from drummer Olaf and yet again, a killer guitar riff. Guitarist Oystein produced the album and a majority of the tracks were mixed by legendary engineer Sylvia Massy Shivy, who in the past has worked with Tom Petty, Prince and Johnny Cash, now that really is an interesting CV. It really is good to hear a band producing a classic rock album that is right up to date and I am sure the live show would be well worth seeing. Now then, shut the curtains, get the air guitar out and put I Don’t Wanna on repeat! JHS