Band : Backyard Babies
Album title : Backyard Babies
Label : Billion Dollar Babies - Spinefarm
Distributor : Versity Rights AB. - Soul Food - Universal
Release date : 13/08/2008 (Sweden)
Release : CD

I know, yet another album that's been out there on the streets for a while, and only gets a review nów! Whadda ya want, when we have to wait until our editor-in-chief gets himself a copy for his own collection?

Anyways, I already made my acqaintance with this Swedish Sleaze Rock 'n' Roll band in 2004 (reviewing their November 2003 released album Stockholm Syndrome). Having already tasted of big-time live activities with an arena tour of the UK in support of AC/DC in 2000, Stockholm... saw the band tour Europe in support of Velvet Revolver in late 2004. In early 2005 the Swedes then went on a nationwide US tour in support of Social Distortion. While in the Land Of Infinite Opportunities, the band signed a deal with Liquor And Poker Music for the North American release of the retrospective Tinnitus album. March 2005 then saw the Japanese release ofthe 17-track [liv] [laiv] In Paris. The band then signed to Century Media, who opened proceedings with a re-issue (in October 2005) of the latter two albums in one package, titled Tinnitus Plus [liv] [laiv] In Paris, following that up with the April 2006 released studio full-length People Like People Like People Like Us (review by collegue Erik posted 22/04/2006). Important live activities that year were the band's appearance at the Download festival in June, and a Swedish tour with The Hellacopters and Millencolin in August.

The 6th BYB studio album (they've also two live albums and three compilation albums under their belt) displays a band at the top of its abilities, each of the 13 songs equally as catchy as the next or previous. Still with something of a sod-off attitude, as prooven by some of the song titles (album opener "Fuck Off And Die", "Degenerated", "Idiots"). Not surprisingly, the album already made the #1 spot in their home country. Check it all out for yourself by surfing to myspace.com/backyardbabies, where you can listen to the first 6 songs off the album. For more material, surf to the band's page at last.fm (where 3 more songs off the album are posted, including the only ballad and album closer "Saved By The Bell", and even some older songs).

Backyard Babies...one of those bands which revive the beginning (successful) years of such a genre highlight as Guns 'n' Roses...and obviously a band with the potential to make it big worldwide. The fact that the band is now on the smaller imprint Billion Dollar Babies will have no effect on their uprising, as the label (their own?) is supported by Spinefarm, and they themselves are distributed by Universal...at least in Sweden (I'm not so sure about what happens outside Scandinavia...after all we DID have to wait to get our promo copy, didn't we?).

90/100

Tony.