Grande Rock - The Hellacopters (Sweden)

Labels:	Psychout Records Subpop Records Shock Records
Released:	1999
Highlights:	Action De Grace Move Right Out Of Here The Devil Stole The Beat From The Lord Lonely Heart Of The Matter

Rating: 10/10


The Devil stole the beat from the Lord and then gave it to the Hellacopters. Grande Rock, the Hellacopter's third album, sees the band moving away from the glam/metal inclinations of Paying The Dues and heading down a more rock 'n' roll path. Unlike many similar bands,the Hellacopters actually rock, make you want to move your hips and get down with it. With a title like Grande Rock, it is not surprising that this album is highly indebted to Detroit Rock City with the MC5, Stooges, Radio Birdman and Sonic's Rendezvous Band all strong influences. In particular Fred 'Sonic' Smith no doubt is a primary influence of lead singer and guitarist Nicke Royale.

Opening with the ghost like vocals of Robin Tyner, Action De Grace is a call to arms - to respect the rock if you will. From there the riffs come thick and fast but never overdone through the excellent Alright Ready Now and Move Right Out Of Here. Welcome To Hell is a longer, slower song that mixes Kiss-like stadium power chords with Radio Birdman keyboards and backing vocals straight from the Stones Sympathy For The Devil to be one of the highlights of the album. Other highlights include Dogday Mornings, Lonely and the potential hit The Devil Stole The Beat From The Lord. Like Payin' The Dues, one of main strengths of Grande Rock is that all but two of the songs are less than four minutes in length.

As an added bonus, the newly released Australian version comes with three bonus tracks, Heart Of The Matter, Makes It Alright and Holiday Cramps, all of which are as good as anything on the album. Also included are the videos for Move Right Out Of Here and The Devil Stole The Beat From The Lord, making an already classic album even better. A contender for best rock album of the ninties.


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