{"id":8763,"date":"2019-10-07T05:00:57","date_gmt":"2019-10-07T05:00:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rpmonline.co.uk\/?p=8763"},"modified":"2019-10-05T18:05:15","modified_gmt":"2019-10-05T18:05:15","slug":"andy-mccoy-21st-century-rocks-ainoa-productions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rpmonline.co.uk\/?p=8763","title":{"rendered":"Andy McCoy \u2013 \u201821st Century Rocks\u2019 (Ainoa Productions)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>It\u2019s been a while since we heard anything from the Sherriff McCoy. In fact, its 10 years since Hanoi Rocks performed their last hurrah and put the band to bed with a final show at the Tavastia in Helsinki. So what has Michael Monroe\u2019s former partner in crime been up to? Well, if you believe the comments on YouTube, it appears he has been a lighthouse keeper for 10 years! While I would love that to be true, apart from the short-lived Grease Helmet and a few guest appearances, it seems he has done little musically to speak of and has spent more time on his artwork, clothes design and even a stint on Finland\u2019s Celebrity Big Brother.<\/p>\n

But the guitar legend is back with a 12 song slab of \u201821st<\/sup> Century Rocks\u2019, his first solo album since \u2018Building On Tradition\u2019 that came out way back in 1995. And what a welcome surprise it is.<\/p>\n

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Lead single \u2018Seven Seas\u2019 came out of nowhere a month back and actually upstaged Monroe\u2019s first offering from the highly anticipated \u2018One Man Band\u2019. Andy always had an ear for melody and \u2018Seven Seas\u2019 confirms he still has a trick or two up his sleeve. A definite classic Hanoi feel comes across, as it builds to a fantastic uplifting chorus that fills the ears and soul with a feeling of euphoria no drug can give. Can Andy McCoy possibly be the king of all comebacks? We will have to see if the rest of the album holds up to the same quality.<\/p>\n

That familiar guitar tone blasts from the speakers as the title track sets the scene for the album. The even more familiar vocal drawl follows. Andy McCoy\u2019s vocals are certainly an acquired taste, but let\u2019s not forget Hanoi Rocks\u2019 back catalogue would not be the same without those quirky \u2018out of tune\u2019 backing vocals of his. And that guitar solo… no one plays guitar quite like Andy McCoy! Killer stuff indeed.<\/p>\n

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The ghost of his bastard past is never far away. \u2018Undertow\u2019 comes on like \u2018A Day Late, A Dollar Short\u2019, there\u2019s even a sax solo to boot. I wonder if it originated from those sessions. Whether it did or not, it\u2019s a cool tune for sure. Then \u2018Batteram\u2019 takes things way back in time. That melody comes on like Hanoi\u2019s \u2018Desperado\u2019 to these ears. And the way he sings \u201cround\u201d and \u201cground\u201d in the chorus with an unmistakeable accent is cool as fuck.<\/p>\n

Andy\u2019s songwriting and guitar playing has always been more experimental, taking in eastern and reggae influences, and he certainly creates a few more mental beats to make a diverse album. While Monroe has stuck to his rock \u2018n\u2019 roll roots for his whole solo career, (and we wouldn\u2019t want it any other way, right?) McCoy explores the obscure and recaptures the quirky influences that peppered Hanoi\u2019s earlier albums.<\/p>\n

\u2018Maria Maria\u2019 is pure class. Mariachi vibes all over as trumpets and strummed acoustics take us into spaghetti western territory. The Urban Voodoo Machine comes to mind as Andy transports us to the Mexican border to smoke a doobie or two, down tequila and jam out in the scorching sun with a chiquita or two. That is what I imagine Andy has been doing in the wilderness years! While I don\u2019t think Andy is even allowed anywhere near any US boarders anytime soon due to his past antics, the idea is spot on.<\/p>\n

\u2018Soul Satisfaction\u2019 is another track that is out there, even in Andy McCoy terms. A tripped-out pre chorus leads into a 70\u2019s New York groove as the main man slurs his words like Keith Richards on his second bottle of Jack.<\/p>\n

\u2018Bible and a Gun\u2019 could sit nicely anywhere in his discography. A bluesy, Stonesy little number with honky tonk piano and a cool barroom boogie groove. Elsewhere, Andy makes his guitar gently weep on the opening riff of \u2018The Hunger\u2019. The laid back, jangly backing, harmonised guitars and the \u2018Village Girl\u2019 style breakdown to fade makes this a rapturous and satisfying ride.<\/p>\n

As we reach the final stretch it comes to mind that Andy McCoy actually comes on like vintage Alice Cooper, which is something that I never realised.\u00a0 Take away the smoky sax on \u2018Gimme Time\u2019 and listen intently to closer \u2018This is Rock \u2018n\u2019 Roll\u2019 with its gang backing vocals and Detroit garage rock delivery and maybe you\u2019ll catch my drift.<\/p>\n

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Obviously, \u201821st<\/sup> Century Rocks\u2019 will be measured up against \u2018One Man Gang\u2019 as they literally come out within weeks of each other. Michael Monroe has an established career as a solo artist and has one of the best live bands in the business, and Andy is…well he\u2019s just Andy McCoy, the guitar-slinging outlaw! Let\u2019s not take anything away from either camp. Both are living legends that together produced some of the greatest albums in my record collection and influenced a whole generation of bands.<\/p>\n

While they made magic together, they continue to do the same on their own terms. \u201821st<\/sup> Century Rocks\u2019 is a testament to that, a surprise hit on many levels. Who\u2019s for a UK tour then?<\/p>\n

Buy 21st Century Rocks Here\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0(Finland)<\/p>\n

Buy 21st Century Rocks Here<\/a>\u00a0(Amazon)<\/p>\n

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Author: Ben Hughes<\/p>\n