SKID ROW - Revolutions Per Minute

Skid Row
Revolutions Per Minute

SPV Records

7/10





More than anything, “Revolutions Per Minute” suffers from the stigma of being called a Skid Row record without the presence of Sebastian Bach, whose powerful voice typifies the band’s first three records and essentially was the personality of Skid Row. So in analyzing the group’s latest record (and second without Bach at the fore) fans of the band need to understand that things have changed.

Having said that, the press has been having a field day slagging the post-Bach Skidders and that’s simply unfair. While “Thickskin” might have been a clumsy, somewhat trendy comeback, “Revolutions Per Minute” shows Skid Row still has the ability to write ass-kicking rock tunes that get you fired up. One of the best things about this record is the diversity of the songwriting. Credit Rachel and Snake with doing an excellent job at creating different types of vibes on this album, from the “Slave To The Grind” energy of “Another Dick In The System” to the rock-solid “Pulling My Heart out From Under Me,” listeners will find the same sort of street-wise rock appeal that typified the non-ballad cuts on the group’s first two records.

The rave-up Irish vibe of “When God Can’t Wait” is a real stein-swayer and is certainly a departure from what we’re used to from Skid Row. So what, it’s a great track that will likely be the background music for plenty of bar closings. So many critics always cry for bands to step outside the box – there you have it. “Disease” is a nice mid-paced rocker that shows vocalist Johnny Solinger can stand in the high-heeled boots of Bach without imitating him directly. Solinger’s voice has a growling snarl that compliments the vision of the Skidders quite well. He was an excellent choice to front the group in the absence of Bach, ‘nuff said.

With plenty of other strong rockers like “Strength” and the punked-up tracks “White Trash” and “Let It Ride,” Skid Row show that they can still rock hard. Incorporating the twang of “You Lie” is not that big of a stretch and a nice aside as well.

Ultimately, the largest complaint is the lack of a ballad that scores the way the band’s hits “18 and Life” and “I Remember You” did back in the day. Even so, it’s safe to say that the group will have a very strong live set in throwing some of these new gems in with the band’s classics. This is a record that really grows on the listener over time like any really good record should. Detractors be damned, Skid Row is back.

Written By: Puss Whiskey