It is hard to imagine that this kind of talent has been hiding behind a production board in Sweden. Sure he has won a couple of Swedish grammys for his efforts there and he has been nominated for seven more for his work with bands like Candelmass, Europe and Crazy Lixx but why is he toiling away on the wrong side of the studio when he shows such a gift as an artist and songwriter?
O.K., I might have put it on a little thick but for his second solo album Mr. Laney has come up with a totally entertaining slice of old school glam rock mixed with the 80's style metal that we all loved. Fans of bands like Skid Row, Motley Crue, Slaughter, Def Leppard etc… will have a heavy metal wet dream with this album. It is a disc that expounds on all the musical themes that we grew up with in the arena rock period and Laney's voice is one that you will instantly want to hear more of. Hard to believe with a voice like that he has flown under the radar this long.
When the album kicks off with the title track "Only Come Out At Night" the first thought that crossed my mind was the Bryan Adams tune "Cuts Like A Knife". Something in the vocals of Chris and the rhythm of the song takes me back to the days when MTV actually played music and I like what I hear! Laney has been to the same classroom as I when it comes to the school of music and the results are a surprisingly good trip down memory lane with a modern touch.
Maybe it is his experience on the other side of the studio but Laney seems to know what is going to get the head bobbing, the foot tapping and have you singing the somewhat cheesy lyrics. Yes, he does go for the many of the clichéd heavy metal themes when it comes down to it but when you rap them into such great anthem like music it may be the best path to follow. When thousands of fans are singing along in concert they will usually be more inclined to participate when Laney expounds on what it takes to be a "Rockstar" than if he is trying to improve the audience's intellect.
Turning to a touch heavier with "Eyes Out Poppin'" and "One Kiss Tonight", Laney tours into Def Leppard territory with this pair which has that strong melodic vein with an irresistible rhythm that are the trademark of Joe Elliot and Company. It is impossible to sit still and listen to this type of music. I hope you live in a warm climate as this is the type of music where you want to roll down the windows, turn it up as loud as you can and just cruise.
He continues to churn it up with his mixture of melody and metal when it comes to both "Crush" and "I Had Enuff" and they will bring back memories of the glam rock days when Ratt and Motley Crue reigned. Laney once again shows his influences without imitating. In fact he makes you realize just what we have been missing out on since the heyday of this kind of metal. I certainly went back and dusted off some of those great old discs after listening to this one.
To end the disc, Chris kind of pulls all those genres that he has been traversing and wraps them into the grand finale called "Daydream". Both light and heavy this song is a very fitting send off as it kinds of explains where he is coming from and what he is trying to do. With a flourish he makes you realize that this is rock and roll both past and present and this music will continue to flourish and fuel good times for many years to come. This is an album that is pure fun. It is one to you can use to get the party started as there is no way to sit still when it is cranked up. Enjoy it, there are not that many who can do it this well.
Track listing:
1. Only Come Out At Night
2. Love So Bad
3. Rockstar
4. B4 It's 2Late
5. Eyes Out Poppin'
6. Gotta Run
7. Playing With Fire
8. Crush
9. I Had Enuff
10. Daydream
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