HANOI ROCKS: BANKOK SHOCKS, SAIGON SHAKES, HANOI ROCKS

SCORE: 78/100

Hanoi Rocks' debut album is a solid showcase of the glam metal scene present outside of America, with the band hailing from Finland and forming in the 80s, this album follows rock trends of the Western world while having a catchy tinge to it that keeps it interesting enough - but it's nothing all that groundbreaking by any means when compared to some other albums within the same subgenres this one falls under.

The instrumental work on the album is very good, providing the energy you would want from a rock album with a little bit of a slow tone to it, the murky, gritty sound of the album sounds undermixed in a way that gives it an underground sound, matching the grittiness of the hard rock scene in the 80s especially well.

This album stands out vocally in particular, with the vocal performances being very engaging and enjoyable. This gives Hanoi Rocks a sound that sets them apart from other bands very well, and songs like 'Village Girl' have very good energy, guitar solos, and striking vocal performances that are just catchy enough.

From the poppier to the spunkier, this album has great shifts in tone, keeping it lively and entertaining throughout its smartly short runtime. The album clocking in at under 40 minutes is a great move so it doesn't overstay its welcome by feeling too bloated, and the overall approach by the band shows that they have what they want to do down already at this earliest point into their career. Their sound still does need some developing, but the overall approach here was done in a way that will make you want more from the band if they're up your alley.

With some slight tweaks and more time together as a band, they have potential to make a project even better than this one. It's an incredibly solid and enjoyable debut that gets better as it goes along, and everything comes together exceptionally well - showcasing a band that had it together.


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