FRAZE GANG - FRAZE GANG 2 (2012)



Remember Canadian rockers Brighton Rock? They released a series of really good straight forward melodic hard rock albums in the late '80s and early '90s spawning hair metal anthems such as "We Came To Rock" and "Can't Wait For The Night".
When Brighton Rock break-up, two members of the band, Greg Fraser and Stevie Skreebs, after some years on vacation decided to go on their own way and to serve the kind of music they love the most, and Fraze Gang was born.

Fraze Gang debuted in 2006 with their self-titled album, a nice recording with ups and downs. Now they're back with "2", a much more consistent disc in all aspects.
The music delivered by Fraze Gang is melodic hard rock with nods to Brighton Rock but opting to pursue other directions, some with modern tinges.
Opener "Saint Or Sinner" is one of the best tracks of the whole CD, containing enough '80s melody and energy to keep Brighton Rock and fans of the golden era satisfied. The guitar work is meaty and solid.
"In Your Face" follows, with a lovable Dokken-esque riff dominating a track with very good atmosphere. The same cool vibe is present in "Tough Enough" wich reminds me early Beggars & Thieves.
The band go for more modern hard rock in the vein of recent Phil Vincent bands D'Ercole and Legion (without the gritty) on some tracks like "Juggernaut", "White Lightning" and "Rampage".
There's time as well for slow numbers on the good acoustic "This Is It" and the bit insipid midtempo "Never Want To Say Goodbye".

The music offered on Fraze Gang's "2" will be familiar to Brighton Rock and late eighties hard rock fans.
Their sound is more contemporary though, updated to the new century, based on a very good guitar job and fine musicianship.
The problem with some of the songs on this album is the failure to nail down catchiness. The melodies are there, but sometimes the hook factor is missing. And to my ears, the voice of Fraser is a bit boring and unidimensional.
Anyway, "2" is a true improvement over the band's debut in all aspects. Production is really good and Beau Hill (Ratt, Warrant) mixing helps a lot to bring all the instruments clear out of the speakers.
A worth hearing for hard (melodic) rock fans of all ages.

01 - Saint Or Sinner
02 - In Your Face
03 - Juggernaut
04 - Never Want to Say Goodbye
05 - White Lightning
06 - Tough Enough
07 - I Just Want to Make Love to You
08 - Don't Call Us We'll Call You
09 - This Is It
10 - Rampage


Greg Fraser - Lead vocals, guitar
Stevie Skreebs - Bass & backing vocals
Phil Epp - Drum & backing vocals
Derek McGowan - Guitar
Rob Patterson - Keyboards & backing vocals
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