Review by Phil M.
Hard-working New York based Wildstreet were formed some eighteen years back and released their debut, self-titled album in 2009. They toured extensively after that release alongside some of the great and good from the rock world and released their second album ‘II … Faster … Louder!’ in 2011. They’ve featured on the US Jimmy Fallon show and had their songs used in multiple commercials. Their second album featured the singles ‘Poison Kiss’ and ‘Easy Does It’ with accompanying music videos proving hugely popular on YouTube:
They’ve continued to tour in the US and latterly in 2019 Europe too. Their third album ‘III’ was released in 2021 and released their album ‘IV’ this year. It has also seen them release further singles and videos featuring guest stars and next year they are booked onto the Monsters of Rock Cruise 2025.
On the back of all this they’ve released a compilation reissue of their first two albums repackaged as ‘Origins’ on Eonian Records. The package also includes ‘Raise Hell’ off their third album.
The band are firmly in the hard rock/sleaze category, and fans of G’n’R, Motley Crue etc. should look no further as this will be right up their street. The sound of both albums is one of raw rock played to a very high standard, the guitar work is excellent and vocal harmonies abound. The first album has a stadium mix of ‘Wanna Get It On’ as well as bonus tracks ‘Soldier of Love’ (acoustic 2009) and the short classically influenced instrumental ‘Bach Invention 13’.
The second album is slightly more refined and production results in a smoother sound, though none of the energy and grit suffers as a result. There are extra tracks too here, a live version of ‘Wanna Get It On’, another classical sojourn in ‘Moonlight Sonata (2016)’, which is nicely played, but unlikely to appeal to sleaze fans. And lastly there is ‘Raise Hell’ showing how the band have progressed.
If you’ve not come across Wildstreet before this is an excellent introduction to their brand of loud, in your face hard rock.
Tracks:
I
1. Wanna Get It On (Stadium Mix)
2. Hard On You
3. For So Long
4. Soldier of Love
5. Midnight Gypsy
6. Open Up Your Eyes
7. The Fist of Fury
8. All the Young Dudes
9. Soldier of Love (Acoustic 2009)
10. Bach Invention 13
II
1. Shake It
2. Poison Kiss
3. Cocked & Ready
4. Hot Lixx
5. Can’t Stop the Rock
6. Easy Does It
7. Wanna Get It On (Live)
8. Moonlight Sonata (2016)
9. Raise Hell
Personnel:
Eric Jayk: Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar
Wrath Starz: Lead & Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
Kevin R. Scarf: Bass, Vocals
DD Star: Drums, Vocals
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