Michael Monroe – Outerstellar – Album Review – wilfulandsullivan

Review By Darren McIntyre

Matti Antero Kristian Fagerholm aka Michael Monroe is a rock n roll singer / songwriter / musician from Helsinki, Finland who is probably best known as vocalist & saxophonist for glam rock. punk band Hanoi Rocks, he also served as frontman for all – star side projects Demolition 23 & Jerusalem Slim(Steve Stevens). Hanoi Rocks formed in 1979 and slayed audiences all over the world until 1985, Michael went solo from 1985 through till 2001, 2002 – 2009 sees Hanoi Rocks reform till Michael again resurrects his solo career that he continues till this very day. Michael brings us his new album Outerstellar slated for release 20th Feb and Michael has decided that it is time to hit the road to showcase this new offering.

Rockin Horse – A fast, furious rhythm groove kicks in the doors and boom off come the wheels in this colossal beast as Michael leans in and lets his epic vocals lead the charge of this shredding power drenched number. The boys are firing on all cylinders as we get a dark, brooding bassline that instantly lets the groove wander freely through this fist pumping, foot stomping bruiser as the twin guitar riffs compliment each other as the licks weave their way through the mid section as the thundering, punchy rhythm section comes at us armed with a pounding bass kick that lets the snare punches grab our attention as this killer opening track lets us know that we are in for a real treat as this 12 song barn storming monster leaves it’s mark upon us.

Shinola – The track begins with a real barnstorming intro that brings a thundering rhythm section that hits us with a snare / bass combo that really lets the track breath. The soaring guitar riffs are bringing the track together as Michael leans in and unleashes his powering, melodic vocals that lets the track tell it’s own story as the cool, deep low end kicks in the doors and brings us a real meaty funk groove as the boys shift through the gears and hit us with all they have with this epic bruiser. The track has depth, swagger and attitude as we have come to expect from Michael and the boys as the groove builds with slick, clean licks that really add some beef to this foot stomping monster as we feel the energy oozing from every member of this colossal band, the lyrics are just dripping with a cool raspy tone as the track wraps itself around us and won’t let us loose until we hit the repeat button to let us feel the tone wander through the arrangement as it builds and builds and really grabs our attention.

Black Cadillac – A gutsy guitar riff erupts as the rhythm section leans in with a cool, dark bass kick that really gets the juices flowing as we pick up where we left off with the previous two bangers. The soaring, gritty, melodic vocals really let the track breath as Michael is just sounding incredible as this foot stomping beast shifts through the gears and really tells us that the boys are really giving it their all, this is a real lyric driven number that allows the boys to really express themselves as they drive their juggernaut right through the heart of this bass punchy arrangement. The tempo changes pace several times through the song and it just lets us feel the diversity that is weaving it’s way through this killer track as the sizzling twin guitar licks wrap themselves around the musicality before a deep, delicious bassline drops in and finishes off this fantastic piece of music.

When The Apocalypse Comes – Michael gets the track up and running as he lets his rasping vocals lead the charge of this punk infused rock n roller as the boys just settle in and bring us a real gutsy tone. The snare drum taps work so well with the track as they change to punchy kicks that really control the direction of this finger snapping number as the backing vocals wander freely through the track as we really get the full force of this killer outfit as they drop epic tone after epic tone that lets a cool Hammond style keys section bring a harmonious tone to this fantastic arrangement. The dark, deep low end drops in and gives us a real funky, meaty groove that just works so well with the onslaught of killer musicians as they set out their stall and give it to us big time.

Painless – A cool, soulful guitar pick opens the track as we feel the depth of the track break through as the rhythm section kicks in with a cool snare / bass combo that just allows the track to breath. The gritty twin guitar riffs are just letting the groove flow through this toe tapping number as the boys settle into their stride with this cool groove, the funky, dark low end is coming through and giving the track a real energy that just wraps itself around this colossal number as the boys tell their own story as we listen intently as this thought provoking number picks up the pace as the cymbal snaps weave their way through the track and really let us feel the energy coming from this fantastic bunch of musicians as they deliver a no nonsense track that just puts a smile on our faces as the boys set about bringing us a real gritty, groove laden album that tells us that the boys have been working hard to deliver a solid 12 track beast that just works.

Newtro Bombs – This is a real gritty punk inspired number as the fast, furious drum kicks kick open the doors and let this rousing beast rear it’s head as the tempo grabs our attention to let the groove wander. The boys come in with their killer backing vocals as the rumbling monster kicks in with a cool twin guitar assault that just punches us straight in the face, the tempo is ducking and diving as the tone grabs us then lets us go as the funking bassline wraps itself around this fast, furious bruiser that just kicks ass and takes names as we feel the energy, swagger and attitude follow us right through the whole track as the boys bring us a short, sharp poke in the eye and then some.

Disconnected – A cool, dark, delicious , funky bassline kicks off proceedings as the punchy bass kicks let the rhythm section control the direction of this roaring piece as Michael lets his rasping vocals lead the way. The gritty guitar riffs are adding depth to this fist pumping track as we ready ourselves to be taken on the ride with Michael & the boys as we feel the energy pulsing through the mid section of this killer track that is just building and building as the boys shift through the gears and really hit us with all they have, the whole arrangement is a gritty, groove laden piece that showcases the boys in their element as we feel the tone wrap itself around the boys as this furious rocker track kicks in the doors and tells us that the boys are back and are coming for us.

Precious – A slick, crisp guitar lick opens the track as the thundering rhythm section commands the tone of this rousing punk infused number as we grab on for the ride of our lives as the boys do what they do. The killer vocals are grabbing the track and taking it onwards as we let the guys tell the story of this rousing monster track that has a cool, meaty, delicious bassline that just wraps itself around this furious, groove laden beast as Michael leans in and offloads with a furious harmonica solo that just elevates the track as the guys really let us feel the energy, swagger oozing through this rocker track that just comes at us with all it’s might.

Pushin Me Back – A crunching, gritty guitar salvo erupts as this fist pumping rocker tracl kicks in the doors and lets us go along for the ride with Michael & the boys as this foot stomper lets the wheels come right off and allow the track to grow. The killer bassline is again bringing us a real sultry, meaty tone that just works with these rasping lyrics that let the boys express themselves as they deliver a real gutsy piece, the melodic guitar riffs are working so well with a thundering rhythm section that is hitting us with a soaring snare drum punch that just gives the track bite. The killer backing vocals really let the track tell it’s own story as this fast, furious rock n roller builds and builds as the vocals really deliver a sense of belonging to this arrangement.

Glitter & Dust – We slow things down a tad as a cool acoustic strumming groove wanders freely through the intro as the kick ass rhythm section brings a punchy snare / cymbal snap that allows the track to really express itself. The tempo quickly changes pace as the soaring, gritty guitar licks show their face as Michael leans in and lets his smouldering vocals take the track off down the road, the punchy, kick ass riffs are just wrapping themselves around this killer rocker ballad as the cymbal crashes rain down on us as the boys shift through the gears and lay it all out for us. The sweet keys make themselves known to us as this rousing beast just keeps coming for us with all it has which is just incredible.

Rode To Ruin – We return to a cool, foot stomping punk – esque groove as Michael leans in with his rasping, soulful vocals as this thundering monster takes us off down the road. The boys really dig deep and bring a real gutsy groove to this roaring monster as we feel the energy build throughout the whole number, the twin guitar riffs are weaving their way through the track as the dark, brooding bassline hits us with cool, meaty tones that are on the money and just let the track flow as this barnstorming beast ripples under the surface as we feel the musicality flowing from every guy as we get a kick ass track that lets Michael control the flow from the guys as we steamroll into the final offering of the album.

One More Sunshine – This is a cool, melodic number that lets the crisp guitar licks flow effortlessly through the intro as the boys ready themselves to grab our attention with this colossal beast as it opens. The rousing guitar riffs erupt as the rhythm section kicks in the doors with a solid snare / bass beat as the cymbal snaps allow the track to come at us as we feel the energy oozing from each musician, the kick ass bassline is again giving us dark, meaty grooves that wrap themselves around this roaring number as Michael leans in with his rasping, melodic vocals that just take the track off down the road as a slick guitar solo ripples and really lets the track shine as the boys finish with a flourish in this real thought provoking number. The tempo changes pace a little as Michael brings us sweet, cool saxophone tones that sit perfectly with this awesome track as the boys kick in the doors and really sock it to us as we feel the depth, swagger and attitude flow freely through this epic arrangement. The thundering rhythm section is giving it big licks as the melodic piano tones wander through the track and really let the song build as the raspy vocals work their magic in this fantastic final track.

Michael Monroe –

Michael Monroe – Vocals / Harmonica / Saxophone

Steve Conte – Guitar / Backing Vocals

Rich Jones – Guitar / Backing Vocals

Sami Yaffa – Bass / Backing Vocals

Karl Rockfist – Drums

Track Listing –

Rockin Horse

Shinola

Black Cadillac

When The Apocalypse Comes

Painless