Not long ago I was told that BUCKCHERRY was trying to take a “more positive” approach to their new album. Specifically, no “dirty words.” If I were to make a bet on it, cleaning up the language sounds more like an attempt to secure front end-cap placement from those Corporate Cowboys at the #1 retailer of music – Wal-mart. Thankfully, that seems to be the only major change. On their latest record, ALL NIGHT LONG (due out August 3 on Eleven Seven Music) – all of the hard partying, sexually charged, rock n roll of Buckcherry is still intact, although it may be showing signs of age.
With the title track already making the rounds as a free download, it’s a great start to the record and will likely become a modest hit. “It’s a Party,” “Recovery,” and “Oh My Lord” are among the standout rockers on the disc, with ‘Party my pick for the signature song for the album.
“I Want You” is a pretty lame ballad that basks in it’s own cliche, while “Bliss” re-enters the same waters with verses that sound curiously like Alice in Chains circa JAR OF FLIES before hitting the radio-rock chorus. The record ends on a high note with “Dead,” capturing the classic Buckcherry vibe.
ALL NIGHT LONG is solid, albeit not near as good as their self-titled album or 2006’s “15” suggesting that the band might be starting to run out of gas. Either that or they need to “bring back the smack” for a little more of that sleazy edge that seems to be a lot less sharp than I’d prefer it to be. They still rock, just not as hard.
Rating: 3/5 Stars
