Rob Hammersmith

REVIEW: Skid Row – The Gang’s All Here (2022)

SKID ROW – The Gang’s All Here (2022 Edel)

I’ve never hid my disappointment that Skid Row have been unable to hang into a lead singer for long since Sebastian Bach’s 1996 ouster.  Johnny Solinger was their best shot at a permanent lead singer, since replaced by a dizzying array of vocalists.  Erik Grönwall, from Swedish Idol and H.E.A.T., was probably the biggest hope.  Sadly, as a cancer survivor, Erik was forced to resign and focus on his health.  The one album he made with Skid Row, The Gang’s All Here, received critical acclaim in 2022 and was called Album of the Year by several outlets.

Erik Grönwall brings the necessary range and power, more so than Solinger.  Unfortunately, both Solinger and Bach had a lot of character in their voices.  Grönwall has a more generic sound, and this robs Skid Row of some of what made them special.  He almost sounds too good, too professional.

A lot of people will disagree and that’s fine.  We’re all entitled to our opinions.

Only two songs here, “Time Bomb” (sort of a punky rewrite of “Piece of Me”) and “The Gang’s All Here”, made it onto the tour setlist.  80% of the album was not played live.  There are shout-along choruses, Kiss-like guitar licks, and Bolan’s bass bounce…but do the songs stick to the brain like albums of yore?  Some do.  The best moments are the ones that recall the past, such as “Resurrected” which has a “Monkey Business” familiarity.  Unfortunately, the trite lyrics are another one of those “we’re back where we belong” kind of songs.

The strongest song is the ballad “October’s Song”, which comes closest to nailing the timeless Skid Row level of quality.  Grönwall’s schooled approach to singing is opposed to Bach’s desperate passion to blow down the biggest of buildings, but that was a long time ago, and Bach is never coming back.  “October’s Song” has some great riffage and should have been made a permanent part of the setlist.  You’ll not find a better song among the new ones.  We’ll say it right here:  this song stands up against the back catalogue, even the intense Slave to the Grind ballads.

Credit due:  Skid Row almost go activist on the environmental message song “World On Fire”.

Much of the album was written with previous singer Z.P. Theart, of Dragonforce.  Core Skid Row members “Snake” Sabo, Scotty Hill, and Rachel Bolan handle the majority of songwriting, retaining Rob Hammersmith on drums.

If you want a new Skid Row album that you can pump your fist to, stomp your feet, or bang your head, then The Gang’s All Here is a must-buy.  If you were hoping for a Skid Row album that you’ll remember for years like Slave to the Grind, Subhuman Race, or even Thickskin, then the jury is still out.  Thickskin had way better songs – there, I said it!

3/5 stars

Grant’s Rock Warehaus: Skid Row – A Career Retrospective [VIDEO]

Park Avenue leads to…SKID ROW!  But Skid Row leads to Grant’s Rock Warehaus!

This week on Grant’s Rock Warehaus, we talk about a band that Grant has been digging seriously for the last several weeks, ever since seeing former singer Sebastian Bach on an 80’s cruise.  We don’t talk just Bach.  We tackle the Johnny Solinger years, the unfortunate tale of Erik Grönwall’s short stint, and of course, current lead singer Lzzy Hale.  Take a look at my Skid Row collection, including The Atlantic Years box set (unboxing!), my original 1991 vinyl of Slave to the Grind, my Japanese Best of Skid Row, and a rare promo single from 1995.

Grant and I tried to cover as much ground as possible.  Album artwork is discussed, and a few underdog records are praised.  I tried to highlight what I think are some incredible and underrated ballads that might be forgotten in the shadow of “I Remember You”.  We shone a light on the talent of all the members, and questioned what they could have done differently through their career.  Leading to the present day, we have some suggestions for Skid Row about their future and reissues we want to see happen.

It’s all here, on Grant’s Rock Warehaus with your host, Grant Arthur!

REVIEW: Skid Row – United World Rebellion Chapter One (2013)

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SKID FRONT

SKID ROW – United World Rebellion Chapter One (2013)

I know Johnny Solinger’s been in the band longer than Sebastian was. I know the band probably hate Sebastian’s name even being brought up in a review such as this. I’ve been standing by the band through their last two albums (2003’s Thickskin and 2006’s Revolutions Per Minute).  My interest waned quite a bit, on the long wait between releases by the band.  This new EP (5 new songs) is failing to rouse me from my ambivalence.  So I’ll just come out and say it:  Guys, get Sebastian back. It’s time.  If Eddie Van Halen can get up on stage again with David Lee Roth and grin that grin of his, then Rachel Bolan can get over Sebastian Bach.

The thing is, there’s nothing wrong with United World Rebellion.  (Last album was a “revolution”, now they’re having a “rebellion”.  What will the next album be?  Defiance, disobedience, dissension, heresy, insubordination, insurgency?)  It’s heavy like old Skid Row.  It has squealing, howling solos like old Skid Row and riffs reminiscent of the classic stuff.  Johnny’s throwing everything he’s got into his performance.   It’s just…not memorable.

The most striking song is the first one, “Kings of Demolition”, which is really good.  Only problem:  It’s more than just a little similar to “Monkey Business” from Slave.  “Monkey Business” is a great heavy song, but you’re not going to top it by re-writing it.  It’s downhill from there.  I must have played this EP eight or nine times now, and I still can’t remember how “Let’s Go”, “Get Up”, and “Stitches” go.  They are all heavy, riffy…and non-descript.  The only song that stands out is “This is Killing Me”, the token ballad (right smack in the middle of the EP), and it stands out only because it’s a ballad.  You can hear the (intended?) similarity to a certain hit ballad by the Sebastian version of Skid Row…but without his soaring vocals.  Once again, you can’t create a new memorable song if you’re repeating an old one.

Sorry guys.  I’m usually in favour of bands carrying on with new members, because I’d rather have that than no band at all.  Unfortunately, Skid Row needs Sebastian Bach as much as Sebastian Bach wants to be in Skid Row.  Johnny can take a proud bow, because he’s no slouch and he did the best job possible.  I wanna see it happen.

2/5 stars

EDIT: May 15 2013 – There is a European version coming with two bonus tracks, both covers.  Bastards.