Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Keel Streets Of Rock & Roll Company: Frontiers Records Release: 2010 Genre: Hard Rock Reviewer: Chris Kincaid

Just doesn't match up to their earlier works

KEEL are back with a new album called "Streets of Rock & Roll" that is the first full length studio album to feature original members Ron Keel (Vocals), Marc Ferrari and Brian Jay (Guitars), and Dwain Miller on the drums since 87's "Keel".

Rather than going back to the well and hammering out those classic Hard Rock riffs that made Metal gems like "Lay Down The Law" or "The Right To Rock" instant classics, KEEL have chosen to continue their trek into 'Commercial Rock' in an album that is strong on vocals but weighed down with Rock anthems that dare I say have a Country vibe to them.

What it gives us is an album that is geared to the Rock/Country crowd because of the party songs that adorn the album. Sure they have a Rock N Roll vibe but one listen and you hear the Country influence that shades 6 of the 12 tracks. It does however kick off with an opener called 'Streets of Rock & Roll' a song that sounds like it was taking from a Van Halen album with it's group harmonies on the verses and a guitar solo that Eddie himself would be proud of. But it soon falls back into the previously mentioned mashup on songs like the aptly titled 'Lookin' For A Good Time', the fist pumping 'The Devil May Care' and in a song that was built for hitting the open road 'No More Lonely Nights'.

For my tastes the strongest tracks on the whole album are 'Come Hell Or High Water' and in the closing song 'Brothers In Blood' a song about unity and male bonding while standing strong in the face of adversity--2 tracks that are as close as they come to their 80's albums.

Overall it's lacking in the Metal edge department coming up short on the twin guitar attack KEEL are famous for. There's no doubt that Ron is at his best vocally but the album just doesn't match up to their earlier works.