MICHAEL MONROE: One Man Gang (ROCK,Hard Rock): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

It is a sad fact but Michael Monroe remains an artist who only enjoys polite recognition in France. Internationally renowned, cited as the main influence of legendary bands such as Guns'n'Roses or Mötley Crüe for what he and Hanoi Rocks have brought to the world of Hard and Rock in general, he is definitely a living god in his native Finland. However, after 40 years of career and a dozen solo albums, the frontman only catches the attention of a fringe of insiders in France. With his eleventh record deal entitled "One Man Gang", it is to be hoped that things will change so much this ignorance is unbearable.

Always supported by a faithful line-up composed of bassist Sami Yaffa with whom he was already playing in Hanoi Rocks, guitarists Steve Conte, ex New York Dolls also alongside Sami Yaffa, and Rich Jones (ex Ginger Wildhearts) and drummer Karl Rockfist (ex Danzig), Monroe once again recorded this opus at home, in Sipoo's E-studio, with producer Petri Majuri. And since the man is honest and a team player, he does not hesitate to point out that most of the songs were written by Rich Jones and Steve Conte, the latter having, in his opinion, brought superior quality material to his own compositions. Class, isn't it?

So what to expect with this "One Man Gang"? To classic punk fireworks at first. The eponymous title also launches hostilities on these direct and catchy bases with the addition of a solo signed by a distinguished guest, Captain Sensible (The Damned). By the time you count the number of teeth that have fallen to the ground, you have to deal with the energetic sleaze of 'Last Train To Tokyo' followed by the powerful and railway 'Junk Planet' with its pachydermic bass. Fortunately, the quintet knows how to show melody with some mid-tempo with melancholic neo-punk accents. In this way,'Midsummer Nights' or 'In The Tall Grass' are a perfect fit. In between, 'The Pitfalls Of Being An Outsider' and 'Black Ties And Red Tape' come to test again the resistance of our jaws, but the end of the opus takes place on softer but not unattractive bases. Noteworthy in passing is a 'Heaven Is A Free State' enriched by Tero Saarti's trumpet and giving shimmering Latin colours.

If some may interpret this final series of calmer tracks as a decrease in intensity, we will rather see it as a confirmation of the variety of ambiences Michael Monroe is capable of, while still succeeding in giving each track an important catchphrase. It is perhaps this more melodic approach that will allow the artist to find his audience in France. Until we know how this opus will be received in France, we can only encourage you to feast on this record that combines variety, energy, melody, catchy and integrity. What more could you ask for? - Official website

MICHAEL MONROE

ONE MAN GANG

AUTRE LABEL

ROCK