Clash Of The Elements

For a band with such a silly name, the Poodles sure know how to rock out. In fact, the moniker is the only comic thing about them; in every other aspect, they are a very enjoyable hair metal band carrying the torch for Mr. Big and the likes of Warlock. Riffs in the verses on Clash of the Elements are as tight as David Lee Roth's trousers circa 1983, choruses are the size of a Super Bowl arena, the singer has plenty of grit, and the backing vocals add plenty of harmonies to smooth out all the rough edges. The group smartly utilizes modern wonders of production to give its riffs a nu-metallish amount of power, but remains faithful to classic hard rock without any of that angsty stomping around. There are some solos and the band is not afraid to use the keys to underscore the pomp when it's present, but all the frills do not obscure Clash of the Elements' first and foremost selling point: riffs and hooks. All in all, this is a perfectly balanced and sincere slab of retro rock that could've given Def Leppard or Europe a run for their money back in the day when there was money in this kind of music. Sure, this record is as cliche-ridden as they come, and cheesy to boot (a still graver sin in a postmodern world), but these are preset conditions, a take-it-or-leave-it deal. The bandmembers have two retorts to all possible critique: first, they don't care; and second, Clash of the Elements is so filler-free and catchy you'll most likely reach for the air guitar regardless of your musical convictions. A good hook is never a thing to be ignored, and honestly, it's very hard not to enjoy this record, provided you can get away with the name "the Poodles" on your CD shelf or in your player (seriously). ~ Alexey Eremenko|