L.A. Knights: ‘Psychoanalyze’
L.A. KNIGHTS
PSYCHOANALYZE
To be released on April 8, 2016 (Independent Ear)
Review:
The L.A. Knights — ironically based in Akron, Ohio, USA — are a five piece band releasing their first full length album Psychoanalyze. Formed as a cover band playing the Los Angeles bar scene in 2011, L.A. Knights honed their sound and expanded their repertoire to include original songs. The band has apparently headlined hundreds of shows and opened for Faster Pussycat, Jackyl, BulletBoys, L.A. Guns, Cinderella and other bands from that classic hair metal era. L.A. Knights must be pretty good live because what I hear on this album doesn’t stand up to what is described in their press release.
The production on Psychoanalyze seems pretty basic. Too much reverb. Vocals are tinny and in some cases buried behind the guitars. Very little bottom end. Drummer Michael “Damage” Gallagher likes his double bass fills, but in all the wrong places. The guitarists Jozey and Jeff Curry have uninspired solos. The whole thing just doesn’t come together for me.
“Dance” is probably one of the better tracks on this album, finding a good riff and sticking with a little punk, a little hard rock, and some attitude. “Devil On My Shoulder” reminds me of Walking the Razor’s Edge era Helix, which isn’t so bad, but ultimately the tempo is slower than it should be. Interestingly, Tim “Ripper” Owens provides background and harmony vocals to “Devil On My Shoulder” and that’s not necessarily a good thing. All it does is highlight how average singer Dave Fanz is beside Owens’ strong performance. I recognize the opening to “For The Girls” from some other band but can’t put my finger on it. And that damn double bass keeps getting in the way. “Tattooed And Scarred” sounds like it was recorded in one take in someone’s basement. I don’t even want to talk about The Beatles cover “Hard Day’s Night.” Again, it might work live, but there’s a huge difference between live and a studio recording. The album itself is as disjointed as the first video “Psychoanalyze”.
I could go on but you get the idea. You might ask why I even bothered reviewing Psychoanalyze if all I do is complain about it. However, we at Sleaze Roxx are committed to bringing you the best, the average, and the not so good, of the sleaze music world (and beyond).
Track List:
01. Are You Ready
02. Dance
03. Devil On My Heels
04. For The Girls
05. Hard Days Night
06. Psychoanalyze
07. Tattooed And Scarred
08. That Girl
09. Time Wounds All Heels
10. Train Wreck
11. Whiskey Drinking Fool
Band Members:
Dave Fanz – vocals
Jozey – guitar
Troy Poder – bass
Michael “Damage” Gallagher – drums
Jeff Curry – guitar
Band Websites:
Facebook
Reverb Nation
Independent Ear E-Store
Reviewed by Metal Mike for Sleaze Roxx, March 2016
L.A. Knights – “Psychoanalyze” [Official Video]
The first single & title track from the all new album “PSYCHOANALYZE” from Akron, OH’s very own bad boys of ROCK!”Psychoanalyze” will be available in TWO dis…