Posted by The antipodean rockers self titled sixth album has been seven years in the making, but time has not changed this foursome’s approach. Namely, rowdy AC/DC worship built on big riffs, shouted choruses and an obsession with booze, birds, and rock n roll.
‘GUTSY’ starts things off in a lively manner, a full throttle, grab the bull by the horns, roar with a whiff of ‘If You Want Blood’ to it. It will come as no surprise but the rest of the LP continues in this vintage fashion, with Mutt Lange and Bryan Adams lending arena sized gloss and sky high hooks to ‘Here She Comes’ and the rather on the nose ‘Who Put The Rhythm In You’ – both of which they co wrote. Similarly blunt is the sexed up ‘Kid In A Candy Store’, an energetic smorgasbord of guitars and double entendres. The silliest moment here is ‘Christmas Bonus’, a festive cheese fest about a friendly female who “… is so damn good you make santa come twice”. Ho ho ho has never sounded so dirty.
They are still doing the same thing and, whilst it is reliable head banging fodder, it is a bit too safe and well worn. ‘Rock N Roll Ya’ is a Def Leppard style ode to the one night stand with meaty guitars, stacked vocals and oomph to spare. ‘Bogota’ cranks it up to 11, with swagger and a pounding rhythm that sounds like the love child of Aerosmith and Van Halen – even sporting a spoken word bit ala ‘Panama’. A good time but overly familiar. It ends on a raucous homage to those that have gone before, ‘Send Me To Rock and Roll Heaven’ name checks Bon Scott, Lemmy, Little Richard and Ozzy amongst others.
Airbourne‘s sixth record sounds just like the previous five; energetic, no frills rock with no airs and graces in sight.
6/10
