Naughty Boys - R U Naughty Enough?

Two full length albums fifteen years apart is a pretty slow release rate even by Def Leppard’s standards! Nauthty Boys produced a self titled album in 1993 which was pretty well received and have released a couple of EPs in the meantime. Their stock in trade is melodic sleaze-tinged pop metal built on solid riffs with catchy choruses.

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The production is sound with a good fruity bottom end giving the songs plenty of punch. Sweden does a good line in bands of this kind’ I’m thinking of the likes of the Poodles and The Ark (who represented their country at the 2007 Eurovision). Whilst not as “in your face” as either the Backyard Babies or Hardcore Superstar they nevertheless rock out pleasingly and songs like ‘Only God’, ‘Stay’ and ‘Is This Love?’ will certainly get your foot tapping. If you like a bit of power-balladry then the likes of ‘After the Rain’ and ‘Last Man Standing’Â will tug at the heartstrings whilst album closer ‘Something to Believe In’ is designed to get lighters waving (or is it mobile phones these days?!).

This is a good solid release from a band getting back in the saddle. Vocalist Mikael Sandvik’s English pronunciation is occasionally rather accented but otherwise the songs are all delivered with competence to provide a rocking experience that’s easy on the ear. The next album will apparently be ready for next year and at the moment they are trying to get as much experience as possible of playing live. The Naughty Boys to represent Sweden at Eurovision 2009?