Over the years, BulletBoys - a band that rose from the ashes of King Kobra - have taken a lot of criticism for this, that, or the other, whether it be their image, their status as a B- or C-list hair band, or what some consider their flagrant ripping off of Van Halen. Having said all that, though, their debut album is quite the enjoyable listen. For the most part, I'm not really sure I get the whole "Van Halen ripoff" thing, other than VH's having been a huge influence on just about everybody making metal in L.A. in the '80's, and the 'Boys' use of VH's producer Ted Templeman.
What this is, however, is relentlessly high-energy, carefree party rock, similar to Motley Crue, the hardest Kiss, L.A. Guns, and, yes, Van Halen. Singer Marq Torien is perfect for this kind of music, with his raspy howl and shouted ad-libs, although his frequent long, drawn-out screams tend to grate on the ears a bit as the album goes on. The rest of the band, while not virtuosos, are more than capable of laying down some solid music.
"Smooth Up In Ya" has gone down as one of those songs (and videos) that epitomize late-'80's Cali-metal: the good, the bad and the cheesy, for better or worse. "Hard As A Rock" is the disc's top fist-pumper, though, with a thumping rhythm, squealing harmonics and infectious chorus. "Kissing Kitty" and "Owed To Joe" follow suit in a similar, sassy style. "Shoot the Preacher Down" is probably the most Van Halen-esque moment on the disc, particularly the very "Bottoms Up"/"Full Bug"-like intro, and "Crank Me Up" is even more, well... cranked-up! Oh yeah, there's also that cover of the O'Jays' "For The Love Of Money," which was probably the admitted soul-music fanatic Torien's baby, and which the band succeeds in putting their own stamp on. The platter ends pretty much the way it began with "F#9," another horny, upbeat rocker. This is ballad-free entertainment for the hardcore hellraiser!

TRACK LIST:
1. Hard As A Rock
2. Smooth Up In Ya
3. Owed To Joe
4. Shoot The Preacher Down
5. For The Love Of Money
6. Kissin' Kitty
7. Hell On My Heels
8. Crank Me Up
9. Badlands
10. F#9

Review by Kip Massey