Bai Bang - Best of Four

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When the Hard/Glam Metal axis moved from California (USA) to Sweden, a new time began in the genre history: leaving the glory days of commercial success of the 80’s, it became a cult form of music that earned a lot of attention since the beginning of this new millennium. And some veterans as BAI BANG still have a lot to say, as “Best of Four” shows clearly.

This is a compilation of with songs from their last 4 albums (2009’s “Are You Ready”, 2011’s “Livin’ My Dream”, 2013’s “All Around the World” and 2017’s “Rock of Live”), and such kind of album always shows the best songs of a band (and it takes the era from their last compilation, “Best Of”, of 2005). It’s an accessible form of Hard/Glam Metal with AOR bits and some influences from Sleaze Rock as well. So it’s charming, done with hooking melodies and excellent choruses. It’s nothing new at all, but to veterans like them, this formula always works. As anyone could expect, the sound quality is really amazing, matching with their musical idea: clean and with everything sounding great and defined. But of course it bears that essential nasty ambience for their Sleaze/Glam essence shows its life.

11 very good songs await the fans, and the charming melodies, choruses and vocals of “Everybody Everywhere” (and what guitar riffs!), the AOR influences of “Are You Ready I’m Ready” (the vocals and backing vocals are really doing a great job), the tender and melodic ambience of “Rock It” and of “Livin’ My Dream” (both with solid work from bass guitar and drums), the nasty and heavy ferine aggressiveness of “Gonna Make It”, and the melodic impact of “Come On” are named because it’s a demand for reviews. The recommendation is: hear it from the first to the last track without jumping any of them.

I hope these nasty Swedish Glam Metal lords will come out with a new album as soon as possible.

Originality: 7
Songwriting: 8
Memorability: 9
Production: 8