I was 14, and 99% of my music listening involved hard rock, metal, thrash, and what we now refer to as hair metal. Z-Rock was something of a pioneer at the time, as I believe it was a national radio station, instead of just being heard locally. I remember hearing a mix of hard rock and metal back then, where it might transition from Rigor Mortis to this new band called Roxx Gang. The first time I heard ‘No Easy Way Out’ by Roxx Gang was one of those magical moments where a song just flows through your soul. Kevin Steele’s vocals had a unique charisma all their own. I picked up their debut album ‘Things You’ve Never Done Before’ and put it on repeat. While I’m convinced someone could have just made a spark and sent them into a collective ball of fire with all the aqua net they had in their hair, they did provide some differences from their peers. Some of their lyrics were a little darker, but at other times, they were as juvenile as the stereotypes of the time. The musical world changed with grunge’s arrival in the mainstream. Roxx Gang continued on with an independent label, and I remember buying their second album through Perris Records, as well as the Mojo Gurus albums. That second Roxx Gang album has received more and more listens over the years. Steele has now delivered his first solo album, and, while I find it a frustrating listen at times, there is a lot I also enjoy.

The title track gets the album started with a bass-heavy mix that leaves me wishing the guitars had more presence in the mix. They pop up a couple of times but seem to get swallowed by the rhythm section in the overall mix. It’s always great to hear Steele’s vocals, but it’s a rocky start for me. Lead single ‘Snake Charmer’ has grown on me with repeated listens, but I didn’t connect with it at all on first listen. This one features a cool groove, and the mix allows the guitar to weave its way around the rhythm. Up next, ‘The Bedspring Boogie’ has a title which could have been used in the early Roxx Gang days. I love the piano here, and the swagger of the song. I get frustrated again when the guitar gets lost in the verse,s but really like the way it is used elsewhere.

‘I Know What Yer Up To’ turns up the blues, and the mix here really works for this song. My first few listens of the album, this was the song that really pulled me back and made me pay attention. Wrapping up the first half of the album is the ballad ‘Sad, Sad Song.’ Musically, I am reminded of the Dogs D’amour and Nikki Sudden here, which is always a good thing. There is a genuine vulnerability in the vocals, and it ends the first half of the album on a positive note.

One of my favourite Roxx Gang songs was ‘Nine Lives’ from their debut album, and side two kicks off with its sequel of sorts in ‘The 9 Lives Blues.’ A bluesy rock beat with some killer piano that incorporates some of the vocal melody from 38 years ago creates a great song. Every instrument feels present in the mix, and the album’s momentum continues building. ‘Fingers Crossed’ brings a rolling and rocking country vibe to the album, where acoustic and slide guitars get the focus. Musically, this would be at home on albums by Izzy Stradlin, the Black Crowes, Quireboys, Stones, or bands in the red dirt music scene here in the States. Steele’s drawl on the vocals shows another side to his voice, while also always sounding like himself.  A rocking soulful rhythm and blues groove, strengthened with horns, highlights ‘Nobody Tells Me When to Quit.’ I like the use of the backing vocals here. It doesn’t connect with me as much as the previous songs, but it adds some fun to the album.

Hard rock ‘n’ roll explodes out of the speaker through ‘My Baby Didn’t Come Home Last Night.’ It builds on the joyous spirit from the past couple of songs, and this is another one where I love the piano. Proper album closer ‘There’s a Better Day Comin’ utilises a midtempo beat. This is one of those everyone raise your glass for a toast songs. ‘Don’t You Worry About Me’ appears to be a bonus track, as I don’t see it listed on the vinyl version of the album. It is not a cover of the Wildhearts song, if anyone had that thought. This is an acoustic troubadour celebration with some excellent guitar picking. This is probably my favourite song from the album.

While the mix of the album doesn’t sit right for me, my appreciation for Steele’s previous work helped me persevere through the beginning of the album and encouraged me to keep playing the album. I would love to see the first few songs get a bit of a remix and add some guitar in there. If you find the first song a struggle, I recommend starting with the 3^rd or 4^th track and then working all the way back around. I will be mixing songs from the album into my monthly playlists, which will likely lead to the whole album getting more plays.

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Gerald Stansbury