Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll. It’s more than just a slogan, an image associated with rock and metal, for some, it literally is a way of life, and no one lives by this code more unequivocally than California’s STEEL PANTHER…especially the parts involving sex. Having been around since the early 2000’s going by several different identities before settling on their current name, the four-piece, (consisting of vocalist Michael Starr, guitarist Satchel, bassist Lexxi Foxx and drummer Stix Zadinia) are essentially the ultimate parody band. With a love for over-the-top, comical sexual references and a tongue-in-cheek sense of nostalgia, Steel Panther take inspiration from the likes of MOTLEY CRUE, throw in some of the most ridiculous lyrics you will probably ever hear, and go out of their way to have a good time all of the time. With previous albums “Feel The Steel” and “Balls Out” gaining them not only success but notoriety, 2014 see’s the release of record number three; “All You Can Eat”. Let’s get stuck in.
Track one, “Pussywhipped” starts off with some unusually soft Spanish guitar, which is unexpected to say the least, but it soon livens up with Stix and Satchel tearing into some classic sounding metal guitar licks and pounding drums, while Starr gives his own quirky take on the subject matter lyrically. Generally though, the long intro doesn't really add anything to the song and really just sounds out of place, and the song itself isn't one of Panther’s best, a mediocre introduction to the new album. “Party Like Tomorrow Is The End Of The World” is the albums lead single, and pretty much speaks for itself. It’s basically an excuse to let your hair down and do whatever the hell you want, have as much sex as you physically can (even including animals, if you’re into that sort of thing), get stupidly drunk, rob a bank, steal a plane…whatever you can think of. The idea behind the song had potential to be highly amusing, but it feels a bit slow and doesn't really inspire much partying to be honest.
“Bukkake Tears” has a gentle vibe about it, some slick guitar work but a generally mellow song, you can’t help but laugh at lines such as “there was so much love on your face, I couldn't see the tears…”, basically a song about a couple inviting some extra players into the bedroom, but with the girl in question ultimately regretting the decision. A great porn ballad, if such a thing even exists…before “Gangbang At The Old Folks Home” equally intrigues and terrifies at the same time. “The place was packed with wrinkly boobies and dicks, the youngest one there was maybe 76”…lovely…just lovely.
“Fucking My Heart In The Ass” and “B.V.S.” are just as absurd as the other, with that free-flowing classic rock sound the band have come to excel at driving the songs forward, the latter especially so, an album highlight, before we finish up on the cringe worthy “She’s On The Rag”. It’s probably on par with the old folk’s home in terms of its lyrical content, it’s up to you if that’s a good thing or not.
Basically then, if you’re already a fan of Steel Panther, it’s a bit of a given that you’ll probably enjoy this third album without question, the band have retained all the elements of their first two records that made them popular and delivered another dose of quality rock, aided by their own brand of crude comedy song writing. As musicians it’s clear they know their stuff and write some great pieces, but, as a gimmick, there is only so much toilet humour you can recycle before it loses its immature appeal and stops being funny. There are one or two signs of that happening already, with the new album taking a while to get going. It’s worth a listen but it’s not their best. [6]
"All You Can Eat" is available on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/all-you-can-eat-bonus-track/id795081205
Track one, “Pussywhipped” starts off with some unusually soft Spanish guitar, which is unexpected to say the least, but it soon livens up with Stix and Satchel tearing into some classic sounding metal guitar licks and pounding drums, while Starr gives his own quirky take on the subject matter lyrically. Generally though, the long intro doesn't really add anything to the song and really just sounds out of place, and the song itself isn't one of Panther’s best, a mediocre introduction to the new album. “Party Like Tomorrow Is The End Of The World” is the albums lead single, and pretty much speaks for itself. It’s basically an excuse to let your hair down and do whatever the hell you want, have as much sex as you physically can (even including animals, if you’re into that sort of thing), get stupidly drunk, rob a bank, steal a plane…whatever you can think of. The idea behind the song had potential to be highly amusing, but it feels a bit slow and doesn't really inspire much partying to be honest.
“Bukkake Tears” has a gentle vibe about it, some slick guitar work but a generally mellow song, you can’t help but laugh at lines such as “there was so much love on your face, I couldn't see the tears…”, basically a song about a couple inviting some extra players into the bedroom, but with the girl in question ultimately regretting the decision. A great porn ballad, if such a thing even exists…before “Gangbang At The Old Folks Home” equally intrigues and terrifies at the same time. “The place was packed with wrinkly boobies and dicks, the youngest one there was maybe 76”…lovely…just lovely.
“Fucking My Heart In The Ass” and “B.V.S.” are just as absurd as the other, with that free-flowing classic rock sound the band have come to excel at driving the songs forward, the latter especially so, an album highlight, before we finish up on the cringe worthy “She’s On The Rag”. It’s probably on par with the old folk’s home in terms of its lyrical content, it’s up to you if that’s a good thing or not.
Basically then, if you’re already a fan of Steel Panther, it’s a bit of a given that you’ll probably enjoy this third album without question, the band have retained all the elements of their first two records that made them popular and delivered another dose of quality rock, aided by their own brand of crude comedy song writing. As musicians it’s clear they know their stuff and write some great pieces, but, as a gimmick, there is only so much toilet humour you can recycle before it loses its immature appeal and stops being funny. There are one or two signs of that happening already, with the new album taking a while to get going. It’s worth a listen but it’s not their best. [6]
"All You Can Eat" is available on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/all-you-can-eat-bonus-track/id795081205
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