27032014 - The Cheaters "Rites of Spring"

Hello again, The Cheaters! It's been a while. What took you so long? Not writing these songs, I presume? I don't mean that as an insult, because there's nothing wrong whatsoever with the songs, but 10 songs in 7 years is slightly less than what the baying rock hungry hounds of the world expect. Nevermind... This album opens with the brilliantly titled "20 000 Miles an Hour Girl", and although I'm not really sure what that means (is she... fast?) I kind of want to know her. "Start All Over Again" is the album's epic track, clocking in at almost 6 minutes, and songs like "Here Comes the Nighttime" mix rocking out hard with touches of - gasp - intelligence! The album closes with more tales of speed in the form of "Acceleration" (you guessed it - a fast rocker) and "Fast Forward" (not a ballad either), and all of a sudden half an hour has passed. Worth the wait? Sure! But please don't spend another seven years on the next album! As a matter of fact, spend seven months! Less Axl, more grease, please! Meanwhile I will be spinning this lovely album a lot! Oh, and did I mention that "She's a Spider" might be the year's coolest rock'n'roll tune by a Norwegian band so far this year?