DYNAZTY: "Knock You Down"

Rating: 7/10

Label: Stormvox/Playground 2011

Review by: Urban "Wally" Wallstrom

... And the glammy soap opera continues with yet another sleazy episode of Dynazty. "Knock You Down" is a brand new chapter in the band's history as they're now signed to Stormvox/Playground and safely at work under the protecting wings of Hollywood famed actor Peter Stormare (yep, pretty much the same story as what happened to H.E.A.T.). Recorded in Los Angeles and mixed in Stockholm by Chris Laney the album speak of quality and top notch craftsmanship. Are we impressed? Yeah, so-so, it's a thick and well produced platter with strong backing vocals and Nisse Molin at the centre of attention.

Do not expect this to be clean and fluffy rock in the vein of HEAT though. Dynazty are strolling down the same path as usual with triple capitol "S" (Steelheart, Slaughter, Skid Row) as perhaps not main influences, but definitely inspiration. Molin is the old skool powerhouse vocalist and Rob Love (Magnusson) likes to pose and shred as in the good old days (huh, when?). All that glitter ain't gold though as opening "Sleeping With The Enemy" and "The Devil's Playground" sits "nicely" in with the more modern "sleaze" acts (boring tracks actually). They're definitely at their best when they keep things nice and clean (read: old skool) and tracks such as "New Sensation", "Hunger For Love", Get It On", "Knock You Down", "Wild Nights", rawks big time.

Yep, it's a step in the right direction and still not enough of cool sing-a-long anthems in my opinion. There's a mighty fine version of last years EuroVision winner (In Sweden) "This Is My Life" - done in the best Skid Row tradition. Unfortunately, they've also decided to cover Edwyn Collins "A Girl Like You" and they've absolutely killed it!!! My oh my! Seriously, "A Girl Like You", one of the coolest (plain) rock songs ever and this butchered version won't make anyone happy. Hmmm, makes ya' wonder who came up with the "great" idea to record this in the first place? Do I smell A&R??? Don't mess with perfection as you'll never win. Final verdict: Darn solid sleaze... but we sort of expected more to be honest. Joan Collins and Heather Locklear to the rescue???

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