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Hanoi
Rocks spearhead Michael Monroe comes up with the good again. 'Whatcha
Want' is the long awaited follow up to his 1999 release 'Life Gets You
Dirty'. 'Whatcha Want' is more of the same - sleaze glam at it's best.
Unlike Hanoi Rocks albums, Michael Monroe's solo projects are more
exciting and more accessible to a wider audience.
'Whatcha Want' delivers hard hitting rock that lends itself well to
Michael's golden tonsils. Whether you're a relative newbie to this glam
rock legend, or a die-hard fan like myself, this album will certainly
not disappoint. Packed full with enough explosive songs to power up a
nuclear power plant it grabs you by the throat and tells you in no
uncertain terms you will sing along to it.
There are a few cover versions included on this new offering, notably
'Do Anything You Wanna Do', originally a hit for Eddie & The Hot
Rods. 'I Won't Lay Down And Die' by the UK Subs, 'Jimmy Brown' by Casino
Steel. All of which have been given the Monroe touch with added
Saxophone and sleazy guitar riffs.
My two personal favourite covers are the X-Ray Specs songs 'Germfree
Adolescents' and 'Identity'. Both of which seem to lend themselves
magnificently to this style of music. There are also some great original
tracks written by Michael and his long time friend Pink Gibson (how cool
is that name?). 'Right Here, Right Now' and 'Shattered Smile' stand out
instantly as ones to remember.
It may have been with Hanoi Rocks that Michael first made his name, a
band whose name would be carried across the years as one of rocks true
legends. Many of the 80's bands were inspired by this man and his band.
His glamorous image, his strong unique voice, and more at times more
attitude than even the mighty Mick Jagger could dream of.
He was the man every young glam fan wanted to be. The youths dreamed of
being him and imitated his beautiful dress sense. He was cool, he was
THE man, everybody loved him. He was the one all the girls wanted.
Forget all those that tried to follow in his footsteps, the Motley
Crue's, the Poison's, no one ever came close to this man and his music.
I was lucky enough to witness Michael on his recent with Hanoi Rocks and
you know what? He's not lost any of that charisma and charm. From the
moment he stepped onto the stage he had the fans bewitched with his
performance. His voice is still their, his passion for what he does is
still very much in evidence, and this new solo album of his shows that
there's still plenty of life in the old dog yet.
Let's raise a glass and toast to Mr. Monroe for never giving up and
never letting us down. Its nice to have Hanoi back, but is it soooo much
nicer to have Michael back in his solo guise again. Michael we love ya,
massive respect man.
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