It's not groundbreaking, but why change something when it works so well.
You have to give this Australian four-piece their due, as they started work on 'Anywhere But Here' before they'd even finished touring in support of their cracking debut. Having also just caught these boys live at Hard Rock Hell, they are certainly on fire at the moment.
Opener 'Show You How To Rock 'N' Roll' builds one instrument at a time; first the drums, then a simple guitar riff, bass, rhythm guitar and finally the vocals, by which time the song is pounding and driving like a freight train. The title track takes things up a gear for an adrenaline-filled, fast-paced anthem with hooks galore and a stellar performance from Tyler Kinder on guitar and vocals. The guitar-fuelled, Aussie Rock continues with 'Down' and 'Better Off Dead', both dripping with power chords and Kinder's voice screaming lines like his life depends on it.
The tempo drops a little when 'Where You Love From' pushes its driving beat into the air before it sinks its claws into you. However, before you know it, 'Cut Me Loose' ramps the speed and energy levels up to fever pitch, sending a wall of high volume guitar boogie to sonically attack your ears which leaves them bleeding with joy!
They aren't out to define a revolutionary new sound, but are quite happy to sit in the AC/DC, Airbourne and Rose Tattoo camp and produce catchy, full-on songs with that familiar Australian sound. This is, of course, due in part to production duties coming from Mark Opitz, who has worked with AC/DC and INXS.
The echoey riff of 'Good Woman (Gone Bad)' adds a cooler edge to this tasty rocker, but it still remains faithful to their musical recipe found throughout. What is perhaps the best track to be found here, 'Run For Your Life', keeps the boogie beat riffing all the way through, but it's accentuated by some brilliantly constructed guitar licks which offset a slightly darker vocal delivery. Meanwhile, 'Short Changed' has a groove more reminiscent of eighties Whitesnake, with only Kinder's voice defining the difference. 'We Came For Rock 'N' Roll' ends the album with a basic chorus and simple structure which makes it the weakest of all songs.
Song format and style are consistent throughout, and the energy and enthusiasm of the band jumps out of the speakers at you. No, it's not groundbreaking, but why change something when it works so well!
Paul Sabin