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"The Hellacopters offer two "Grande Rock Revisited" for the price of one. Despite its dystopian aspect, the "revisited" aspect doesn't add much to a very enjoyable original album."
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3/5
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In 2024, The Hellacopters, the essential Swedish garage/hard rock band, have decided to once again illuminate their third studio album "Grande Rock", released in 1999. The approach taken for this re-release is, however, an original one: in addition to the remastered version, there's also a revisited version. Indeed, Dregen, the guitarist at the time, had left the band in the middle of a tour and had not participated in the making of this opus. So this new version adjusts the past.
Before talking about this revisited version that opens the hostilities, let's talk about the original album. In twelve tracks, the band pulls out all the stops, delivering a garage hard rock performance of the highest order. The opening track 'Action De Grâce' sets the scene for what's to come. Each of the tracks has the makings of a rock anthem, allowing you to tap your foot to the beat, or even to bawl your eyes out on the choruses. The vocals are magnetic and in keeping with the genre's canons. The piano adds a welcome glam dimension. Successful tracks include the fearsomely sticky 'Welcome To Hell', 'The Devil Stole The Beat From The World', with its searing riffs, and 'Renvoyer', a great American-style show - complete with harmonica and wah wah pedal - that brings the album to a rousing close. In short, old-school rock that's as enthusiastic as it is exciting.
After this excellent remastered version, which is only a re-release of the original album, let's savor the delights of Dregen's comeback. And that's where the problem lies. First of all, it's not a great idea to chain the twelve tracks together twice, and a second disc should have been added to distinguish the two opuses. The differences are not very obvious. A few piano arpeggios added, Dregen's guitar is certainly more present (and yet, is it really possible to identify it?) but it doesn't add much to a whole that was already well constructed. Is this a sly way of confirming that Dregen's presence on this album was far from essential in the first place? The whole proves cruelly indigestible and uninspired...
"Grande Rock" is a classic of the genre and one of The Hellacopters' best albums. Putting the spotlight back on this album was more than legitimate and could allow the band to expand its fanbase somewhat. However, the idea of revisiting it with as few ideas is hard to defend (could we imagine remaking Genesis' "Invisible Touch" by adding Steve Hackett's guitar, for example?) Only hardcore fans would find something to debate here, but the average listener might be content to listen to either of the two projects without having anything to lose. - Official website
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TRACK LISTING:
01. Action De Grâce - 2:15
02. Alright Already Now - 2:54
03. Move Right Out Of Here - 2:09
04. Welcome To Hell - 5:01
05. The Electric Index Eel - 1:53
06. Paul Stanley - 1:58
07. The Devil Stole The Beat From The Lord - 3:56
08. Dogday Mornings - 3:21
09. Venus In Force - 2:58
10. 5 vs. 7 - 5:36
11. Lonely - 3:08
12. Renvoyer - 2:15
 13. Action De Grâce - 2:17
14. Alright Already Now - 2:56
15. Move Right Out Of Here - 2:09
16. Welcome To Hell - 5:19
17. The Electric Index Eel - 1:52
18. Paul Stanley - 2:02
19. The Devil Stole The Beat From The Lord - 3:54
20. Dogday Mornings - 3:19
21. Venus In Force - 3:01
22. 5 vs. 7 - 5:39
23. Lonely - 3:07
24. Renvoyer
LINEUP:
Boba Fett (Anders Lindström) : Claviers / Piano
Dregen: Guitares
Nicke Royale (Anders Niklas Andersson): Chant / Guitares
Robban (Matz Robert Eriksson): Chant / Batterie
Sami Yaffa: Basse
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(0) MIND(S) FROM OUR READERS
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(0) COMMENT(S)
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READERS
-/5 (0 view(s))
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STAFF:
3/5 (2 view(s))
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IN RELATION WITH THE HELLACOPTERS
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OTHER(S) REVIEWS ABOUT THE HELLACOPTERS
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