Crazy Lixx is a 4-piece band from Sweden who have the sound and look of 80's hard rock/metal. New Religion is their 2nd full release. It doesn't break any new ground and isn't entirely original but their sound, songs, and attitude are refreshing. I hear parts in the songs that remind me of Helix, Damn Yankees, and Victory. I also hear music that's kick some serious ass.

Track by track here's how they stack:

Rock and A Hard Place - Great rockin opener for the cD with memorable hook and chorus. This could be the one that opens their shows.

My Medicine (R.O.C.K.) - Here's the Damn Yankees influence. A mid-tempo rocker that's starts a little slow but picks up with another memorable sing-a-long chorus.

21 Till I Die - THE song of 2010 so far! Let me repeat...THE song of 2010 so far! This is a rockin anthem that starts out kicking ass and never lets up! I'm pushing 40 and this song made me 20 years younger in just over 3 minutes. If it was 1988 instead of 2010, this would be all over the Headbanger's Ball and cool radio stations. This song is so good, they could have put this song on the cd twice and sold it as a bonus track and I wouldn't feel ripped off. This is a fist pumper.

Blame it on Love - A ballad that isn't too sappy. I'm not one for ballads. While it starts out slow, it picks up some and the guitars maintain distortion. Songwriting again, is great, very memorable and easy to sing along to.

Road to Babylon - Starts out fist pumping but stays as mid-tempo rocker. Again, I find the song sounds familiar and can't help but sing along with it.

Children of the Cross - Starts out with a touch of acoustic that picks up quick. Lyrically this is about the church sex scandals. I'm not one for songs that touch on politics or current events (they get stale fast) but they make the song very catchy. Overall a very good song musically, just wished it wasn't a current event song. (Hang on for irony.)

The Witching Hour - Simply an awesome song! Heavy, melodic, good grooves, riffs, great singing, 100% rawk!

Lock Up Your Daughters - Irony time. First a song about child sex scandal now it's time for fathers to lock up the daughters. This is a good hard rocker that's straight forward begininng to end. Back in the day this song would be a party starter...one listen and the party is on.

She's Mine - This song was made for cruisin'. "Everybody's got a sweet tooth for Candy." They got me singin' again. There's a little boogie-woogie piano in this...nice touch.

What of Our Love - Another ballad and this one's mushy. Nothing new here, sounds like a lot of Desmond Child ballads mixed with Steelheart ballads. But I'll be damned if they didn't make it sound good in spite of my automatic dislike. They even made me sing with them. And I didn't hit skip like I usually do!

Desert Bloom - Delta blues instrumental...initially it doesn't fit in or make sense...for 45 seconds...

Voodoo Woman - Now I get the delta blues thing and this makes up for the confusion. Again this reminds of another song but quickly replaces it in my mind. Not the strongest song on the cd but but it deserves to be here. But I question ending the cd with it.

Overall, Crazy Lixx have put together a collection of well-written, melodic and memorable songs that are fresh while putting out a classic sound. It will only take a couple listens for the songs to burrow their melodies deep in your brain. Some albums feature a great singer or guitarist, some have great riffs or lyrics, some take you to guitar school or drum camp. Crazy Lixx feature great musicians but it's how they come together without showing off that set them apart. New Religion is one of the rare albums where the only things that stands out are the songs. There is no point of focus other than the songs which is a high compliment. A lot of good cds come out every year, only a small handful can be called great, and fewer still are must-have instant classics. Five months into 2010 and this is the best so far, a must-have.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to headbang to 21 Till I Die until my neck snaps.

Reviewed by WildBill

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