Slug Boys : "Listen to Slug Boys"

Norwegian punkers Slug Boys offer a rowdy rock n roll baked blend of punk rock, that is not unlike some other boys on Viagra. The boisterous beer-swilling attitude and garage rock sensibilities are a little heavier with a bigger, less tongue-in-cheek worldview. "Dear Life" has a brighter guitar tone that is more like what Spiritual Cramp does. The more melodic elements create more of a rock n roll vibe. "Mother Mary" finds a similar guitar drive at the heart of what they are doing. It does give the vocals enough room to croon, even though there is more sonic aggression in the attack of the guitar.

Things don't begin to feel like filler until we get to "Slug Boys Anthem," which just draws from the same rock n' roll well, though it's only really an interlude at a minute, so they are just joking around with it.  There is a mroe nuanced urgency to "For Love"; it still explodes. The chords are allowed to ring out in a more AC/.DC fashion for "One of Us" as the vocals continue to flex their rock swagger while adding a more belted grit as needed. Thankfully, "Painkiller" is not a cover of the Judas Priest song, as they are not equipped to tackle that in any respect. It does carry a darker, heavier mood than the previous song. 

"Why" is another song that embraces where punk emerged from rock n roll. The gang vocal chimes in places, the most punk thing about the reckless attitude they control things with. "Sleep Forever" makes me think of Social Distortion's more anthemic 90s moments. The vocal nuances are really selling me on it. "The War" is a more straight-up rock song,almost likea pumped-up version of the Rolling Stones. I will give this album a 9.5, as they care about songs and pulled this off with a great deal of charm. 

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