Reckless Love: InVader

Firefest 2010 was where I first encountered H.e.a.t and Reckless Love, two bands who have gone on to lead the blossoming Scandie melodic rock scene. Both played the pre-show Friday night bill and both scooped up handfuls of new fans through energetic sets and stellar songs. From there the pair have gone from strength to strength and while H.e.a.t have pushed ahead slightly in terms of critical and commercial success, Reckless Love have never been far behind. Maybe playing it a little safe, H.e.a.t seem more than happy to stay true to their good time, hard rock (well at least since they ditched the AOR attack of their first two albums) sound that's served them so well. Reckless Love on the other hand have always blended their MHR with a more poppy and at times sleazy outlook. Hence in many ways InVader shouldn't be a shock, but it is…

Seriously, if I was tumbling through the inane music channels late one night (honestly, that's what I'm watching all alone in the wee small hours…) and I encountered any of at least half of this album on my way, I'd scoot quickly by wondering why there are still so many bland, boring, cardboard cut out boy bands playing pointless pop music. Going into this album, the Reckless lads made no secret out of their desire to broaden their sound, however I can't say I expected that to result in an album so throwaway, so lightweight, so utterly lacking in the rock that made this band's name, that it's barely recognisable. I mean "Monster" could be a mix of Lady Gaga and, well, Aqua, while "Child Of The Sun" is so full of pop cheese that even McDonalds would take it off the menu for its lack of nutritious musical goodness. Add in the sub Eurovision electro-drums and synths of "Scandinavian Girls" (yes, it's as bad as that name suggests) and its teen party pop nonsense and I'm almost lost for words.

Send out the search party… where are Reckless Love?????

Ahhh….. here the are, "Bullettime" searing through a fiery riff, shout it out chorus and a nod to everything from Mötley Crüe to Girl. "Hands" is a song made for the live arena – you just know you'll have aching shoulders by the time this one's finished – the boisterous guitars grating and grinding just as you know they shouldn't, but you're glad they do. While "Keep It Up All Night" almost straddles the two sides of this album perfectly, ultra pop choruses married to a stinging guitar solo and a meaty riff. If the whole album had been filled with this sort of stuff, then I wouldn't exactly be jumping for joy, but then neither would I be running for cover.

However it isn't and in the cold light of day, if I wanted an out and out pop album, I'd happily pick up the newest Katy Perry opus, or if I wanted a marriage of pop and rock, the excellent new All Time Low record. InVader however possesses three or four songs that stand up to repeat listens. The rest? Well, it isn't even particularly good pop music and in the throwaway stakes it's as here today and gone tomorrow as space hoppers and deely boppers.

Track Listing
1. We Are The Weekend
2. Hands
3. Monster
4. Child Of The Sun
5. Bullettime
6. Scandinavian Girls
7. Pretty Boy Swagger
8. Rock It
9. Destiny
10. Let's Get Cracking
11. Keep It Up All Night

Added: April 2nd 2016
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Reckless Love online
Hits: 2021
Language: english

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