THE GREATEST ROCK AND ROLL RECORD OF ALL TIME - I Love Rich (Self released)
When the 1980s drew to a close, most probably expected this to bring the
end of certain things. Amongst these were glam rock, including the kind of glam
which was chauvinistic, tacky and dumb.
However,
with the end of the '90s, KISS were still ALIVE, to the chagrin of some. The
Backyard Babies in Sweden were changing things and in Australia the likes of
Melbourne’s Cyclone Tracy and The Casanovas were resuscitating interest.
The ability to show off one’s masculinity for the natural desire of women
and combining his with playing three chord rock’n’roll songs is certainly
not new. Bands like KISS and The Casanovas though, have managed to continue
and regenerate interest in glam with intelligent, but also dumb rock-n-roll
tunes.
With I Love Rich and "The Greatest Rock’n’ Roll Record of All
time", this is not in evidence on a regular basis.
What is in evidence, is the attitude and belief of writing and performing songs
about oneself being THE MAN and God’s gift o women, while blatantly disregarding,
what might be the cold hard truth.
The overtly chauvinistic and sexy attitude of I Love Rich may turn on some but
not this record reviewer.
I Love Rich consist of Rich (Vocals/Bass), Eider Ferrari (Guitar/Vocals) and
Drewblood (Drums). Their CD consists of 12 well-recorded tunes with "Dr.
Tung", "Feel the Heat" and "Like a Rocket" (quite obviously
a heavily KISS influenced tune) being the album’s redeeming songs (especially
when lyrics are disregarded.) Some songs seem to have a more objective than
subjective lyrical themes e.g. "Rock-n-Roll Party Tonight", but fall
down with clumsy musicianship.
From the reviewer’s perspective, the fashion statement of a glitzy cowboy
hat (worn by drummer Drewblood) does not lend assistance to their cause.
If one seeks quality glam punk rock-n-roll, the only real salvation, it would
appear lies with Melbourne’s The Casanovas, because I Love Rich and "The
Greatest rock’n’roll record of all time" does not deliver.
- Simon Li
