Get the spandex and hairspray out, 'cause it's party time.

With a name that sounds like it was inspired by an ex-girlfriend, Mad Margritt take their inspiration from the naughtier parts of the strip, hearkening back to the days when big hair ruled and only real men wore lipstick. The American four-piece have been around for a few years now, and it's clear to see why they have gained respect from fans of the hair rock and sleaze genres.

The bands to think of here are the likes of Warrant, Skid Row, Slaughter and even Poison, as Mad Margritt make catchy music with good choruses and (thanks to new guitarist Carl Culpepper) some excellent guitar solos. Three tracks in, the powerful ballad 'Ever Since You've Been Gone' absolutely nails the vibe they are going for, and would certainly have been a massive hit if released by, say, Cinderella in the mid to late eighties.

Vocalist Eddie Smith has clear, tuneful vocals, and carries emotion very well. There's nine tracks here, and they all have their merits, even a rather redundant but technically fine cover of AC/DC's 'Touch Too Much'. You can sing, Eddie, but don't take on Bon Scott 'cause there'll only be one winner.

So Mad Margritt are a pleasant surprise, delivering a solid album full of upbeat and catchy hair rock that borrows from several classic bands but still manages to retain it's own identity. Get the spandex and hairspray out, 'cause it's party time.

Alan Holloway