Midnite City – Itch You Can’t Scratch

Midnite City

Itch You Can’t Scratch

by Will Travers at 23 August 2021, 12:23 AM

Is Hair Metal still a thing? Well, if you’d asked me that a year or so ago I would have probably said no. I thought that it had disappeared with the bands of the heyday, the likes of POISON and MÖTLEY CRÜE… But then I went and came across a certain KISSIN DYNAMITE and their slogan ‘Bring Back Stadium Rock’, and my faith has been restored. But that’s ok for having a German band on the scene, now let’s introduce the UK’s offering… MIDNITE CITY. The five-piece outfit have been working hard and released their new record, “Itch You Can’t Scratch”. The artwork is, to me, amusing; I have no idea why but it just is.

Opening the album is “Crawlin’ In The Dirt” and straight away there is an intensity to the music. Wailing guitars, Hard Rock vocals and a pounding rhythm that just makes me want to bang my head and dance. Ah man, that guitar solo too! The running keys behind it and one of the catchiest vocal lines I have heard for some time, I am hooked! “Atomic” switches the blueprint up slightly, a bit more funky and sultry, almost reminiscent of a certain DEF LEPPARD track…

“I Don’t Need Another Heartache” has more of a ballad feel to it. I can see throngs of troubled teenagers blasting this in their bedrooms to let their emotions out. It’s well put together, catchy and fits the bill perfectly. “Blame It On Your Lovin’” picks up the pace a bit more, still holding that anthem vocal style, the keys accenting every phrase, and the wailing running guitar just sitting in the back tracking delivering a track full of depth that just keeps hitting all the right notes. “They Only Come Out At Night” builds on everything so far, the intro has my hair stood on end and Rob’s smooth voice continues to deliver a masterpiece of a show. Every track so far is just making me cry out for more, and I don’t want this to end! But end it must, and what better way to see the album out than with “Fall To Pieces” a happy go lucky, feel good and energetic track that just oozes fantastic music on every beat. It sees the record out in a fantastic fashion that has left me wanting more  and I cannot wait for the next release from this stellar band.

Overall, this is a fantastic release that would be an incredible addition to anyone’s library. Fans of Hair Metal, Glam Rock, Stadium Rock and Hard Rock get out there and absolutely get MIDNITE CITY on your radar right now. I’m not asking you… I’m telling you.

Songwriting: 10
Originality: 10
Memorability: 10
Production: 10