Nearly ten years have lapse since the “Down Boys” of Warrant have released a new CD. Now they put forth their latest effort, “Born Again,” on Cleopatra Records that proves to be just what Warrant fans are craving. They delve into typical rock lyrics of cigarettes, booze and women. These 80’s metal legends serve up clichés of this era using searing guitar licks, booming live drums and thumping bass. “To me this album picks up where “Cherry Pie” fell in the lap of that girl that just got off the bus in LA,’ explains Jerry Dixon, bassist and founding member (He also writes the lion’s share of the tracks on “Born Again”) “It even has guitar solos (remember those?) No drum machines, no rap, no samples, just drums, bass, guitars and vocals. It’s old school Warrant at it’s finest.”
The bands four founding members, Erik Tuner (guitar), Jerry Dixon (bass), Joey Allen (lead guitar) and Steven Sweet (drummer) are together for the first time in over a decade. Joining the band is Jamie St. James, formerly of Black N’ Blue produced by Gene Simmons (KISS). Warrant worked with famed producer Pat Regan (KISS, Deep Purple, Mr. Big) on this disc.
Warrant’s new CD, “Born Again,” has absolutely no reference to Christianity, but rather their rise like a phoenix from the ashes proving that their new material is relevant to their throngs of fans. This CD is just what their fan base has been waiting to hear. St. James' wide vocal range and mutable dynamics fits well with Warrant's sound.
The first three songs on the disc, “Devil’s Juice”, “Dirty Jack”, and “Bourbon County Line,” deal with the use of alcohol in some form or another. “Devil’s Juice,” kick starts the CD with the metal legends classic sound. Their first single, “Bourbon County Line” is gaining airplay across the states. “We wanted to make a record in true Warrant fashion,” states Erik Turner, founding member and guitarist. “I think we accomplished that sound again.”
“Hell, CA,” is such a catchy song that you will have your head bobbing to the track. The typical adage “If you want to go to heaven you have to go through hell,” sings Jamie St. James on this high-energy song.
“Love Strikes Like Lightening,” is the classic rock anthem dealing with finding the right woman here stateside. St. James sings expertly about finding the idea woman right here is the US even though he has assessed the situation abroad and has concluded that American women can’t be beat.
“Glimmer” is the obligatory power ballad. This song demonstrates their classical metal sound tipping their hats to this cool ballad.
“Down in Diamonds,” is and upbeat almost pop metal music. He was struck by lightening not once, but twice. This track has a guitar solo with bite. The song has a memorable chorus. Unfortunately, the back end of the disc doesn’t hold up as well as the earlier music. It seemed to lack momentum. Still, overall it’s a decent effort.
Warrant fans unite. This is the disc that you have been waiting a decade to hear. The rock clichés are what you come to expect from Warrant and that’s just what you get on this new CD. Check them out at www.warrantweb.net
