Electric Angels
Electric Angels

Rock'n'Roll! How often is this term overused? Almost always, even when Gianni Morandi says it, probably!

Yet in the realm of a certain glam, we have the excesses of Guns'n'Roses and L.A. Guns, the modern Swedish style of Hardcore Superstar and Crazy Lixx, and there was also a certain plain and sincere glam, classy, made of sweat but also refinement, and a truly unique simplicity, reminiscent of the 60s and 70s that are so often longed for.

It was a "simplicity" difficult to achieve in terms of songwriting, and few succeeded. A particular case was the delightful and interesting Electric Angels, who lasted the span of a single album, their self-titled 1990 release.

However, wait, we're getting it wrong: Shane, the singer, wasn't like Axl, he didn't scream or screech. He just sang. Ryan Roxie, the guitarist, wasn't an Yngwie Malmsteen-level virtuoso. He strummed a few chords, but he shaped them so perfectly as to create a real song. Jonathan Daniel wasn't Billy Sheehan, yet he played his bass as if he were talking to a woman, and John Schubert wasn't Mike Portnoy: he used a minimal drum kit, which made the Bee Gees look like Strapping Young Lad in comparison!

Boring, these guys? Let's be honest: seeing them, they looked like aliens and yet... we put on the record and... boom! What a surprise! Rock 'N' Roll with passion! Wow, a rare thing these days!

The vicious spiral begins with the (temporarily) anonymous intro "I Believe", opening to the rock 'n' roll charge in the style of the Rolling Stones with "Live In The City". What to do when faced with the sensual and groovy "Rattlesnake Kisses", whose video features a young Christina Applegate? Nothing, just praise an excellent glam rock ballad that touches the heart. Is it tea time? Well, then let's savor the sweetness and violins of the ballad "True Love And Other Fairy Tales" and then put the cup down, or even break it, as soon as we hear "Home Sweet Homicide" and "Whiplash". OK, enough with breaking cups, though, right? We have time to reflect on love and how it is a "Dangerous Drug", we need "All The Money" to live every day, and we must also think about keeping the "Head Above Water" for heaven's sake! And if the Kessler twins say "the night is too short for us, too short!", our four little angels also know how to do real glam, ending with a true anthem to beer, wine, and everything alcoholic! And what could the title be if not "The Drinking Song"?

Not all cups of tea turn out with cane sugar, and there are empty moments like the anonymous "Last Girl On Earth" and "Cars Crash", but that doesn’t mean you should feel discouraged. The album is still excellent, ideal for relaxing the limbs after a hard day’s work or a lousy day.

The story of the Electric Angels ends here. One well-managed album and a perhaps too hasty goodbye. Isn’t it always the best who leave us too soon!

The party’s over, go in peace, folks. And the next day, get up and put the record back on, but not to listen to it: for the 5 o'clock tea, of course!