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Rating: Let's start from the end, let's start from the rating.
In numbers, it's a 7.5 which I am very happy to round up to four stars.
Fifth studio work for the Swedes; a seasoned and tested crew always in the hands of captain Nicke Andersson (who distinguished himself at the beginning of his career as the drummer for Entombed).
A successful album but with some flaws, much more oriented towards Hard-Rock compared to the first two albums where the Punk-Garage explosiveness dominated every single second. With those raw recordings made in just a handful of sessions.
In By The Grace of God the sound "cools down," losing much of that brazenness I've just highlighted.
It's not an album that disappointed me, far from it; I have the entire disorganized discography of the Hellacopters and I could not speak ill of them in any way.
But I preferred them proud and scoundrelly, with that tearing, damned and evil sonic wall between Stooges, MC5, and Motorhead.
Excessively clean recordings in my opinion; of course, the guys have also grown from a technical point of view. Greater cohesion, less brute force.
Even Nicke's voice is more controlled, less streetwise, less nocturnal.
The title track that opens the work is a very respectable calling card. A few piano notes are followed by a simple guitar riff and the song unfolds, sailing confidently and peremptorily. Various choruses, six-string thrusts, a nice central solo, and a final where they push perfectly.
The rowdy and festive rock'n'roll of Better Than You which, together with the equally fast It's Good But It Just Ain't Right and The Exorcist, represents the episodes most connected to the band's roaring past. Carry Me Home glaringly recalls the best Kiss with that restrained yet pleasantly effective pace; it proceeds like this until the end of the collection, thirteen songs in a little over forty minutes duration.
They close with Pride where, drawing inspiration from the title, they want to reiterate with the utmost pride of still being the best representatives of that musical movement that developed in the Scandinavian land in the mid-nineties. A scene shared with Gluecifer, Turbonegro, Backyard Babies, The Flaming Sideburns, Puffball, etc...etc...
I read with pleasure in the recording notes that Lars Goran Petrov has joined the choirs: does anyone remember him? I hope so...LEFT HAND PATH...
Ad Maiora.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 By the Grace of God (03:04)
HEY GIRL
YOU'LL LAND IT
YOU'VE GOT SUPPLIES
IF THEY DEMAND IT
YOU'VE GOT THE LOOKS
AND THE GLAMOUR
CUT BY THE CHISEL
AND BEAT BY THE HAMMER
THEY'RE NAIVE
SO THEY'LL BELIEVE IT
THEY WILL ACT LIKE DOGS
WHEN THEY RECIEVE IT
THROUGH THE DARKNESS
AND THE HAZE
A STRAIGHT AND NARROW
FALL FROM GRACE
THEY NEED - THEY YEARN
THEY LUST WITH CHEEKS UNTURNED
HANDS SHAKE AND HEADS WILL NOD
THEY GET BY BY THE GRACE OF GOD
HEY BOY
YOU UNDERSTAND
SAY YOUR PRAYERS
OR YOU'LL BE DAMNED
HE'S A WATCHER
AND A VOYER
BYSTANDER
AND DESTROYER
THEY NEED - THEY YEARN
THEY LUST WITH CHEEKS UNTURNED
HANDS SHAKE AND HEADS WILL NOD
THEY GET BY BY THE GRACE OF GOD
02 All New Low (03:27)
LOOKIN' UP FROM A WAYSIDE DITCH NOW
LOOKIN' UP FROM YOUR PITCH BLACK HOLE IN THE GROUND
THERE'S ONLY ONE PLACE LEFT FOR YOU TO GO
UNCHARTED TERRITORIES WILL UNFOLD
WHEN YOU GO
DOWN AN ALL NEW LOW AGAIN
DOWN AN ALL NEW LOW AGAIN
ALL NEW LOW AND YOU GO DOWN AGAIN
YOU KEEP ON PUSHIN' BUT YOU DON'T KNOW HOW NOW
IF THEY SEE FIT THEY'RE GONNA HIT YOU TO THE GROUND
KEEP HOPIN' BUT YOU'RE IN THE KNOW
THEY'VE GOT 'EM LINED UP AND YOU'LL COME TO BLOWS
WHEN YOU GO
DOWN AN ALL NEW LOW AGAIN
DOWN AN ALL NEW LOW AGAIN
ALL NEW LOW AND YOU GO DOWN AGAIN
LOOKIN' UP FROM A WAYSIDE DITCH NOW
LOOKIN' UP FROM YOUR PITCH BLACK HOLE IN THE GROUND
THERE'S ONLY ONE PLACE LEFT FOR YOU TO GO
UNCHARTED TERRITORIES WILL UNFOLD
WHEN YOU GO
DOWN AN ALL NEW LOW AGAIN
DOWN AN ALL NEW LOW AGAIN
ALL NEW LOW AND YOU GO DOWN AGAIN
04 Better Than You (02:45)
You're a knife to his gun
When you're bored
He's out having fun
You're always on the lookout
And he's a star
You struggle with do's
And who the hell you are
So c'mon - c'mon you wanna get on
If you only knew
You're a giver he's a getter
Just alittle bit better than you
He's a doctor
You're a nurse
He's got unbounced checks
You got an empty purse
He's a hundred and ten
When you got a hunch
He's a five star king
And you're out to lunch
So c'mon - c'mon you wanna get on
If you only knew
You're a giver he's a getter
Just a little bit better than you
He's piling trophies
You're on the hunt
He's of royal descent
You're a bonafide runt
He's the don of your
Humiliation
While you paint it pink
He cranks brownsville station
So c'mon - c'mon you wanna get on
And if you only knew
You're a giver he's a getter
Gotta give it so you'll get it
Just a - just a
Just a little bit better than you
Oh yeah
05 Carry Me Home (03:43)
I WAS PARALYZED
AS I OPENED UP MY BLOODSHOT EYES
DO I REALLY WANNA KNOW
WHERE I'VE BEEN OR WHERE I'VE PUT MY NOSE
I'M IN A RUT
KEEP KICKING MYSELF IN THE NUTS
IN A STAIRWELL I SEEK
THE LAIR WHERE I STUCK MY DIRTY BEAK
SO I'M BACK AGAIN IT'S OK
WELL BE THAT AS IT MAY
OVER AND OVER AWAY
INTO THE FIRES UNKNOWN
INTO OBLIVION THROUGH STICKS AND STONES
PICK UP THE PHONE - MY JACKS ARE ALL BLOWN
OH THESE NIGHTS OUT ALONE
COME CARRY ME HOME
A HABIT HARD TO BREAK
TAKE ME HOME GOOD LORD FOR HEAVENS SAKE
THE DOCTOR'S NOT IN
GOT NO CURE FOR THE MEDICINE
SO I'M BACK AGAIN IT'S OK
WELL BE THAT AS IT MAY
OVER AND OVER AWAY
INTO THE FIRES UNKNOWN
INTO OBLIVION THROUGH STICKS AND STONES
PICK UP THE PHONE - LISTEN TO ME MOAN
OH THESE NIGHTS OUT ALONE
COME CARRY ME HOME
EVERYTIME I MAKE THE ROUND I TURN AROUND
I'M PUT UPON THE RACK
EVERYTIME I STAND UP I FALL FLAT ON MY FACE
AND BREAK MY BACK - TOMBSTONED
06 Rainy Days Revisited (03:41)
EVER HAD A RENDEZVOUS WITH REASON
OR A PUNCH OUT WITH SENSE
I HAVE 'EM ALL THE TIME YOU KNOW IT AIN'T THE SEASON
THEY SAY I LOOK A LITTLE TENSE
AND IT DO GET WORSE LIKE A MERRY GO ROUND CURSE
JUST LIKE TALKING TO A WALL
THE REASON PUTS THE LIGHT OUT AND SENSE PULL THE PLUG
AND BROTHER RHYME JUST STUMBLES AND FALLS
SO YOU FEEL IT
JUST WRAP IT UP AND SEAL IT
AND DEAL WITH IT WHEN A RAINY DAY COMES ALONG
SO LET US COME TO A CONCLUSION
LET US ALL COME TO TERMS
WITH THE GREATER PROBLEMS AND THE FEWER SOLUTIONS
HOW WILL I EVER, ever LEARN
I CAN GO AGAINST THE GRAIN OR EVEN MAKE A RACKET
PLAY ALONG OR I CAN TAKE A STAND
SURROUNDED BY MONKEYS I DOUBT I'LL EVER HACK IT
CAN TRY TO TAKE OFF OR I CAN HOLD THEIR HANDS
SO YOU FEEL IT
JUST WRAP IT UP AND SEAL IT
AND DEAL WITH IT WHEN A RAINY DAY COMES ALONG
YOU BET THEM COME ALONG
ALWAYS COMES ALONG
SO YOU FEEL IT
JUST WRAP IT UP AND SEAL IT
AND DEAL WITH IT WHEN A RAINY DAY COMES ALONG
SO YOU FEEL IT
JUST WRAP IT UP AND SEAL IT
AND DEAL WITH IT WHEN A RAINY DAY COMES ALONG
07 It's Good but It Just Ain't Right (02:55)
I WANTED THE WOMEN
TO GO ROUND THE WORLD
GOT THE BOAT DOWN TO HELSINKI CITY
WITH BOYS WHO ACT LIKE LITTLE GIRLS
IT AIN'T QUITE WHAT I PICTURED
AIN'T QUITE WHAT I HAD IN MIND
I REALIZED THAT THE CLOSER I GOT
THAT CLOSE HAS THE TASTE OF REAL CHEAP WINE
CLEARLY - NEARLY
I OPEN MY EYES BUT ONLY SEE THINGS BARELY
I CAN SMELL IT BUT I DON'T GET HIGH
I KNOW IT'S GOOD BUT IT JUST AIN'T RIGHT
ENDED UP WITH A DONKEY
WHEN MY MIND WAS SET ON A HORSE
BARGAINED AND BEGGED FOR A PONY AND I RODE IT
WITH A FAKE SMILE ON ONLY WANTING MORE
I'VE HAD IT WITH JUST ABOUT RIGHT NOW
MODERATE WON'T GET ME NO FAR
BEEN THROUGH ALMOSTS, OKAYS, IN BETWEENS, NIGHS AND DECENTS
BUT CLOSE JUST AIN'T NO CIGAR
CLEARLY - NEARLY
IN THE CORNER OF MY EYE ONLY WORKS IN THEORY
I CAN SEE IT EVEN SHINES A LIGHT
I KNOW IT'S GOOD BUT IT JUST AIN'T RIGHT
CLEARLY - NEARLY
I OPEN MY EYES BUT ONLY SEE THINGS BARELY
I CAN SMELL IT BUT I DON'T GET HIGH
I KNOW IT'S GOOD BUT IT JUST AIN'T RIGHT
08 U.Y.F.S. (03:58)
WELL, I GUESS I COULD HAVE WALKED AWAY
BUT SOMEHOW I JUST HAD TO STAY
BEEN DOWN THIS TRAIL SO MANY TIMES BEFORE
BUT NOW THERE`S NOTHING LEFT TO LEAVE ME ASTRAY
YEAH, I`M DONE WITH ALL OF THEM LIES
EVEN THOUGH I KNOW I THREW THAT DICE
NO SECOND CHANCE TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY
AS I WAS CAUGHT BY THOSE DECIEVING EYES
WE ALL GOT SOMETHING UP OUR SLEEVES
BUT (NOW ) I D0N`T KNOW WHAT TO HIDE
AS I RIDE ON MY OWN
WITH A BLINDFOLD DRIVING LATE AT NIGHT
IT`S HARD TO TELL THE WRONGS FROM RIGHTS
JUST CAN`T DANCE DOWN ON EASY STREET
WHEN YOU KNOW YOU CAN NOT WIN THIS FIGHT
WE ALL GOT SOMETHING UP OUR SLEEVES
BUT (NOW ) I D0N`T KNOW WHAT TO HIDE
AS I RIDE ON MY OWN
COZ I`VE GOT A BURNING FEELING
I DON`T WANNA LOOSE
YEAH, I GOT THIS HEALING NOTION
THAT I HAD TO CHOOSE
I`VE GOT A BURNING FEELING
AIN`T GONNA MAKE IT NO WORSE
WON`T BE NO KNEELING MOTION
TO SEAL THIS CURSE
SO. TIMES UP AND I`M ON MY WAY
ALL I`M LEAVING IS A TRAIL OF DECAY
I KNOW I`VE TURNED ALL TOO MANY STONES
BUT THEY ALL JUST LEFT ME OUT AND ASTRAY
WE ALL GOT SOMETHING UP OUR SLEEVES
BUT (NOW ) I D0N`T KNOW WHAT TO HIDE
AS I RIDE ON MY OWN
11 Go Easy Now (02:54)
THE SHIP HAS SUNK AND HIT ROCK BOTTOM
WE PLAYED OUR PARTS NOT VERY WELL
SO IT HAS COME TO AN END
WE WANTED BLESSINGS AND WE GOT 'EM
BUT THERE'S NO SEQUEL
NO PART THREE FOR US TO ATTEND
SO CUT US SOME SLACK NOW WOULD YOU
WE CAN'T BE TAKING IT BACK SO COULD YOU
GO EASY NOW ON YOUR OWN
GO EASY NOW ON YOUR OWN
IT'S GETTING CLOSE IT'S DRAWING NEARER
IT'S COMING DOWN HARD
BUT IT'S NOT LIKE IT'S A BIG SURPRISE
AND AS I LOOK AT MYSELF IN THE MIRROR
IT'S TOO LATE
TO SAY I'M SORRY TO APOLOGIZE
SO CUT US SOME SLACK NOW WOULD YOU
WE CAN'T BE TAKING IT BACK SO COULD YOU
GO EASY NOW ON YOUR OWN
GO EASY NOW ON YOUR OWN
TAKE ME DOWN TO MY MAKER
HANDS PUT TOGETHER AND ON BENDING KNEES
IS THERE A WAY THAT I CAN BREAK OR ALTER THIS LOW DOWN DEAL
SO CUT US SOME SLACK NOW WOULD YOU
WE CAN'T BE TAKING IT BACK SO COULD YOU
GO EASY NOW ON YOUR OWN
GO EASY NOW ON YOUR OWN
12 The Exorcist (02:38)
IN THE NIGHT YOU FEEL
SOMEWHAT UNREAL
AND IT AIN'T FICTION
IT'S CATHING UP - WITH YOU
NOTHING YOU CAN DO - NO
AND THE HURT BEGINS
LEECHES ON YOUR SKIN
AS YOU'RE STANDING BY
THE SUN'S ECLIPSED BY A THOUSAND FLIES
IT'S TIME TO FALL - YOU'LL SEE
IT AIN'T NO MISERY
AND IT WILL NOT END
IT'S A FACT - AND IT'S COLD
JUST LIKE YOU'VE BEEN TOLD - SO
THE HURT BEGINS
LEECHES ON YOUR SKIN
AS YOU'RE STANDING BY
THE SUN'S ECLIPSED BY A THOUSAND FLIES
YOUR STOMACH TURNS
YOUR EYES THEY ITCH AND BURN
PRAY TO GOD GET THEM OFF OF ME
ALONE ON BLOODY BENDING KNEES
DESPITE THE FACT YOU SCREAM AND SHOUT
NO ONE REACTS OR CARES ABOUT
THEY SAY IT'S ALL JUST IN YOUR HEAD
IT'S PLAIN TO SEE YOUR LEFT FOR DEAD
IN THE NIGHT YOU FEEL
SOMEWHAT UNREAL
AND IT AIN'T FICTION
IT'S CATHING UP - WITH YOU
NOTHING YOU CAN DO - NO
13 Pride (06:03)
I KNOW WHERE I COME FROM
SANDS OF THE FATHERLAND
I'LL FACE ANY BATTLE
THOUGH I DON'T UNDERSTAND
I PLEDGE THE ALLEGIENCE
THE FLAG I WAVE TONIGHT
NOT ONLY AM I GRATEFUL
BUT IT'S ALSO WORTH A FIGHT
I'M TAKING SIDES
ON A SHAKY RIDE
AND YOU WANNA KNOW
WHAT'S THIS THING CALLED PRIDE
I READ THE BIBLE
EVEN THOUGH I MUST ADMIT
I NEED SOME GUIDING THROUGH IT
THE PARTS THAT I DON'T GET
I'M TAKING SIDES
ON A SHAKY RIDE
AND YOU WANNA KNOW
WHAT'S THIS THING CALLED PRIDE
I'M TAKING SIDES
ON A SHAKY RIDE
AND YOU WANNA KNOW
WHAT'S THIS THING CALLED PRIDE
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