We have compiled many reviews from around the world who have praised, critisized or simply mentioned SNEW.
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Most reviews are in English but many are in varying other languages which will not be specified. Your guess is as good as ours.
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Wecond assault from these third-wave Hollywood scuzz merchants. Taking their cues from the more agressive/psychotic 80's sleaze-metal culprits - Dangerous Toys, Jackyl, Love/Hate - Snew bash out two-ton southern-fried rawk with priosn-riot abandon, while frontman Curtis Don Vito barks out orders-to-rock in a larynx-shrredding growl-howl somewhere between Jesse James Dupree and a torture victim getting his molars yanked out with a pliers. Dumb, loud fun.
Let's talk Rock N’ Roll with a band started at the year 2005 in Hollywood, having influence from bands such as AC/DC, Motorhead, The Stooges, The Ramones, Alice Cooper, Led Zeppelin and Kiss. They released their first album called “Snew You” at the year 2008 and after that a single called “Highway Star” a cover from Deep Purple’s song in the year of 2009.
“We Do What We Want” was released in 2010 by Maman Music Co and produced by Bobby Owsinski. The lineup of the band is Curtis Don Vito (vocals), Cat Tate (bass), Mark Ohreberger ( drums), Andy Lux (guitar).
This album just “arrived” to me and even if it’s a release from last year its worth it to say a few things about it!! So lets “cut to the chase” starting with the track that is also the title of the album… “We Do What We Want” you can feel the Rock N’ Roll rhythm bringing on the “noise” to your ears, loud and pure elements of this genre are coming to shout that Rock N’ Roll aint’ dead. This track urges you to do what you want with your life because it’s yours and yours only, feel free, be free to rock and roll.
Time to “Get Loud” with a track so kicking, so alive and rhythmic!! It feels like you are on a train with full speed ahead to anywhere, to nowhere but the music station… Pure adrenaline, "dirty" guitars and rough vocals are the “fuel” rolling down your veins making you spin your head and jump in the air!!
“Knock It Out Of The Park” feels like the continuation of the track before because the sense of this uplifting tune doesn’t stop, on the contrary it rises up like electric lightning and spreads in the air the molecules of Rock N’ Roll that touch my spirit and we become one!!
Sometimes we wonder… “Who The Hell Are You”? Who is the one who haunts our lives, who is behind of all these wrongs that happen around… Well… check this track and get some ideas. This track starts like a desert breeze and continues with the first vocal raindrops to moisturize the scenery around you, this voice may sound familiar to you but still its fresh and with spirit and it “howls” the lyrics like the “flirt” of the wolf and the moon. Curtis feels every single word coming out of his soul and the rest of the band play the instruments like they are an expansion of their body!!
All the tracks in this album have something to give you, each one has a story to tell and Snew know how to speak music and especially Rock N’ Roll.
The hard rocking band Snew got their start back in 2005 in Hollywood, CA, and haven't looked back since with their hard driving brand of rock music. I first got my chance to hear the band's music when they sent me their 2008 release, Snew You, to review.
We Do What We Want was produced by Bobby Owsinski (The Who, Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and The Ramones), who also produced the band's release, Snew You. The new project was engineered and mixed by the Grammy Award winning Ed Cherney (Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Iggy Pop, Bob Dylan, AC/DC, Spinal Tap) and recorded at the famed Village Recorder studio.
Being a big fan of the band AC/DC's driving guitar attack lead hard rock sound I instantly became a fan of Snew's music that posses many of those same qualities. Snew's songs are jam packed from beginning to end with lively rock guitar (Andy Lux, Cat Tate-bass) parts, often let to run free with solo parts, along with heavy, make the ground rumble, powerful drum (Mark Ohrenberger) beats. Add on top of that the lead vocals of singer Curtis Don Vito who isn't afraid to do whatever it takes to push the song to the next level be it with straight up rock vocals or howling and scream parts.
When I like a release as much as this one it's hard to pick highlight/favorite tracks out but here are a few of my thoughts on several of the songs that are found on, We Do What We Want.
The first track, also the title cut, "We Do What We Want," is a rocking track that really sets the tone for what's ahead with its lively guitars, big drum beats, and rock n' roll banshee scream style vocals found at the beginning of it that brings the song to life.
The track, "Get Loud," is another ripping rock track that features very strong lead vocals and a nice guitar solo that's also found in it.
"Pick up the Ball," starts out slow with a soft guitar part along with gentle cymbal work, until the 24 second mark when the vocals start up with a rock n' roll scream and the pace of the song picks up.
The last track, "Shinebox" gets the honor of bringing down the curtain on this hard rock masterpiece. The song features rapid drum beats, wailing vocals, and lively guitars, including a ripping speedy guitar solo.
Snew's music is meant to be played only one way, 'loud and proud.' You need to crank down your car windows or open up your house windows, set the volume to maximum and let the musical rock n' roll fun start.
If you like to rock it out large then the music from Snew on their latest release, We Do What We Want, will put you in a very happy place!
April 2 2010
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
In 1979, the debut album from Accept was unleashed on the world. And it was good! In 1992, Jackyl's debut took the world by storm. And it was good! In 2010, SNEW singer Curtis Don Vito was possessed by the spirit of Jesse James Dupree and Udo Dirkschneider. And it is good!
Ok, all seriousness aside, SNEW's latest effort, "We Do What We Want" sounds like a blast from the past, and somehow manages to meld the sounds of Jackyl & Accept into ten shots of hard rock supremacy. Curtis Don Vito's whiskey stained have seemed to have gotten even stronger since NEW's fantastic 2008 debut, SNEW YOU. Not only does Curtis sound better, but SNEW as a whole seems to have taken it up a notch. The guitar work of Andy Lux is excellent. He dishes out plenty of killer riffs for you to crank up and enjoy!
Some of my favorites are the Rhino Bucket like title track, "We Do What We Want", SNEW's new single, "Feedback and Distortion" and the rocker "Pick Up The Ball".
I am a sucker for some good raunch & roll, and SNEW's We Do What We Want delivers the goods. If I had any complaints, it would be that this CD ends far too fast. Good thing I have a repeat button! Grab your copy of this CD in the SNEW store, and let the headbanging commence!
April 23 2010
The last time I heard this band was with their debut release 'Snew You'. I thought it was awesome and showed potential yet to be unveiled. Basically what I mean by that is that it was do damn good that I was rife with anticipation over what would be next. And now, Curtis and crew have unleashed 'WE DO WHAT WE WANT'. The temptation to use the initials henceforth is overwhelming. ' WDWWW' is loaded with the same Snew attitude and musicianship that helps brand these dudes as real bad boys of the hard rock scene.
The band consists of Curtis Don Vito on vocals, Andy Lux on guitar, Cat Tate on Bass and Mark Ohrenberger on the Drum Kit. These guys form a tight unit that plays off each other well.
'We Do What We Want' kicks this off with a rowdy energy that leaves you wanting more. And Snew delivers. Turn up 'Get Loud and you'll get just that. Louder. Harder. And you're just halfway through the CD. 'Power Pack' is going to be a Snew classic and 'Who the Hell Are You' is simply hard rocking fun. Sure, talk guitar technique, drumming skills, vocal prowess and mention all the "sonic volley " you want. The fact remains that his is about as good as raw hard rock gets.
April 10 2010
Tan esperado estaba siendo este disco como disfrutable fue su anterior entrega en forma de debut, si con aquel "Snew You (2009)" ya nos dieron una revitalizante leccion de como facturar rock and roll incendiario tan solo un año despues vuelven a la carga con este "We do what we want" y doy fe que no se han quedado cortos, porque si cabía alguna posibilidad de superar la anterior entrega, los de Hollywood la han sabido aprovechar y cuentan las malas lenguas que como aquel conquistador ... por donde ellos pasan ya no vuelve a crecer la hierba.
Lo primero que llama mi atención cuando el disco inicia su rodaje y las primeras notas del tema inicial "We do what we want" empiezan a invadir mi atmósfera es que tal vez su vocalista Curtis De Vito haciendo gala de su majestuoso registro vocal pretende fundir mis maltrechos oídos a base de decibelios y excesos sonoros, por suerte todo vuelve a la normalidad y el tono de esta segunda entrega va recuperando paulatinamente su tónica habitual.
Así un compendio de calurosos riffs marca de la casa, se sucede y se impregnan de esa deliciosa esencia setentera que destila cada una de esas notas que empapadas de sudor golpean y estremecen las membranas de mis altavoces. Rock and roll convincente y convencido para un álbum, el segundo de estos californianos que se retroalimenta por diez solidas descargas eléctricas que posicionan a Snew en el top no se cuantos de mis discos imprescindibles de este año, de este fecundo año en lo musical...
Como curiosidad les propongo un pequeño juego, durante el desarrollo de este "We do what we want" hay un leve guiño a la literatura, bueno mas bien al cine, digamos que suenan de maneraa muy escueta las notas de la banda sonora de un film que basa su trama en uno de los personajes de Sir Ian Fleming... al que lo adivine.... nuestro reconocimiento ;-)
June 21 2010
Californiske Snew blev dannet i 2005 og består af Curtis Don Vito (sang), Andy Lux (guitar), Cat Tate (bas) og Mark Ohrenberger (trommer). Bandet udgav deres debut album "Snew You" 2008 og We Do What We Want er bandets andet album.
Når man lytter til Snew er ens første tanke AC/DC. Man kommer ikke uden om, at Snew er meget inspireret af netop AC/DC, men også bands som Rhino Bucket, Jackyl og Motörhead. Og ja, så lyder de jo også som Airbourne, men har næppe fundet deres inspiration her, da Airbourne har ca. samme alder som Snew.
We Do What We Want består af 10 "high octane og gasoline fueled" energiske hard rock sange med et snært af sleaze rock. Der er fuld power på lige fra første guitar riff i åbningsnummeret og titel sangen "We Do What We Want" til sidste strofe af afslutningsnummeret "Shinebox". Det eneste tidspunkt hvor tempoet sættes en smule ned er i første halvdel af "Who The Hell Are You". Albummets højdepunkter er efter min mening "We Do What We Want", "Private Stash", "Power Pack", "Get Loud" og "Shinebox". MEN der er ikke nogen dårlige sange på denne udgivelse.
Producer på We Do What We Want er Bobby Owsinski, som udover at være producer også udgiver bøger om hele optage-processen af en cd, samt hvordan man bliver en god producer, mixer o.s.v. Ed Cherney, som tidligere har arbejdet med bl.a. Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan og Eric Clapton, har stået for mixing. Albummet er optaget i Los Angeles studiet The Village Recorder.
Jeg kan varmt anbefale We Do What We Want (og "Snew You") til enhver fan af klassisk AC/DC-inspireret hard rock. Snew har uden tvivl ikke opfundet noget nyt, men hvad gør det, når man skriver sange der går lige i blodet og får lytteren til at ROCKE!! Hvis du køber denne cd vil du ikke fortryde det!! Long live rock 'n' roll.
5 ud af 6
I just woke from a nice early to late evening nap and I’m as fresh and energized as a new copper-top battery… Guess what I got in the mail today? That’s right… A brand Spankin’ NEW CD by the totally Rawk’N Ruckus of a bunch called SNEW. From the first song out of the chute to the last, “this album rocks balls to the wall.”
If you are into bands like Airborne, Broken Teeth, Jet, AC/DC, Mutt Lange productions and guitar oriented riff - rock, then this band is right up your darkest alley. This crew really knows how to pull out all the stops… Hard Rock School 101… There is nothing new here that hasn’t been done before… However what’s snew is the cocky / swagger attitude that’s been missing from the rock world for some time now… The riffs, the arrangements, flippant and comical lyrics and Bon Scott / Brian Johnson branded vocals, takes you back to the early to mid-80’s ‘Head-Bangers Ball’ on MTV era. SNEW stays very close to what they know and do best… And that’s to plug you in at 240 volts and to let you suck on the amperage coming off their CD awhile… I guess you could call these guys step-up transformers. You’ll be air guitar’n w/ a stiff upper lip around your living room like an Energizer Bunny on steroids -- High Voltage Baby !!!
Simply put, this band has got some of the nicest and most colorful and smartly looking packaging I’ve seen in awhile too… I liken the artwork to a glossy Creem and / or Circus Magazine of yesteryear. I know you ol’ skool rockers know what I’m talking about too. Remember when? While I was opening up the SNEW CD with its kool red, white and glossy black cover, I kept reminiscing back to my early teens when I got my first KISS album -- ALIVE II. SNEW gives you a nice 6 page insert with the lyrics, photos and digital artwork. And lastly, some neat looking membership cards (a liken to KISS ARMY, etc.), and some small colorful baseball type SNEW cards. I kept looking in the CD for a possible guitar pick…? None to be had…Darn ! Oh Well! You can tell these Kats are totally pro. They take pride in their (product) and it shows in both the music and their presentation.
You know when ya go to the store for a bottle aspirin for a headache, and you know exactly what brand and type of pill works best for you...? Well, that’s how SNEW’s music is… Once you’ve listened to ‘em, you’ll know exactly what brand and dosage you’ll be reaching for next time your head hurts… A bottle of ‘SNEW’ should make your brain comfortably numb just in time, every time….
Best song: The perennial rock anthem 'SNEW YOU'
I give this CD 4.5 out of 5 Starz
September 2009
This Hollywood based Hard Rock act started life in November 2005 when singer Curtis Don Vito, (Luxembourg born) guitarist Andy Lux, bassist Mark Ohrenberger and drummer Cat Tate happenstanced upon each other through mutual friends and common ties. The bio also talks of "unseen mystical forces", but with the two earlier things in play, "fate" seems a bit of a lame excuse, don't it?.
To continue using the biography, "…For a definition of Snew's sound, how and why they do what they do, let it be said that bands like AC/DC, Motörhead, The Stooges, The Ramones, Alice Cooper, Led Zeppelin and Kiss perfected raw electrified monster Rock And Roll, and the members of Snew took notes…". Well, that may have been some of the guys' favourite bands, but when push comes to shove it's the straight-forward Australian tones of AC/DC and Rose Tattoo that come through most prominently, albeit with a welcome touch of Sleeze. The difference being that Don Vito has a slightly more versatile voice than both Brian Johnson and Angry Anderson, singing, screaming, howling, screeching, moaning, shouting and groaning his way through the lyrics. The band at a certain point were attracted the interest of producer Bobby Owsinski (known from having worked with such major players as Elvis, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Willie Nelson, Neil Young, The Ramones, Chicago, and many more), whom would produced the band's 10-track self-released debut album Snew You, which was released in June of 2008. Although the album didn't get the band the coveted signature at the bottom of a contract with a decent label (or any label at all, for that fact), it did get named as one of the Top 10 Hard Rock albums of 2008 by SleezeRoxx.com, and is apparently (so the band claims) continuing to get high praise from critics, DJs and fans worldwide. Hum, let's just put it down to the worldwide economic crisis (in both the music business and the world at large) that this quartet has broken through yet, eh?
Still, the guys have had some major eye-catching moments already: In 2009 they teamed up with legendary guitarist Allan Holdsworth and recorded a version of Deep Purple's "Highway Star" which has seen fans of both Holdsworth and Purple downloading the track in uncountable numbers since April 2009, both through illegal channels as through pay-for-download legal site iTunes. Someone who's also still got faith in the band's musical prowess, is Owsinski…seen as he again went to the studio with the lads to record the 10 new tracks now featured on the band's 2nd full-length. That the boys have indeed some decent financial backing (or positive receipts from doin' gigs and the sales of their debut album) is something hinted at by the fact that they were able to hire the Grammy award winning Ed Cherney (check Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Iggy Pop, Bob Dylan, AC/DC, Spinal Tap, …) to engineer and mix the material at Los Angeles' Village Recorder studios (not exactly the cheapest spot in time to hire).
Bottom line, if you're looking for an album by a straight-forward good-time Bluesy Hard Rock that can keep you interested from start to finish, look no further! If you're tired of waiting around for the more established bands (AC/DC, Rose Tattoo, Airbourne, and more of that ilk) to come around with a new album, look no further for a decent bridge-over act! If…hey, let's listen to the music first. At myspace.com/snewmusic, you'll only find the one track "Power Pack" off the new album, but at least it's full-length. There's also a couple of videos, including one of this album's "Feedback And Distortion". For samples of all songs on the current album and the debut (alongside the band's cover of "Highway Star"), there's (www.) snewyou.com (also several videos there). Check it (or not…and be the loser for it), like it (or not…but at least you tried!), and possibly order the album…it's all up to you now!
Rating 90/100
July 8 2010
Snew doesn’t try to fancy their songs up they play a full speed, straight ahead, style of rock music that will get your blood pumping as you listen to it. Think of early AC/DC and Guns N Roses mixed in with the punk swagger of The Ramones.
This band does one thing and they do it very well; they play a brand of monster hard rock music that is driven by guitars parts that grab you by the musical nuts-sack, squeezing tight and not letting go until you cry uncle!
They also had that independent rock spirit when it came time to get their album released deciding to forgo releasing it on a record label. The band has organized what’s known as the Snew World Order using the following statement: “We don’t have some big bloated major record label behind us and we don’t want one. What we do have is the Snew World Order, that’s YOU. By helping get the word out you can make Snew the world’s only successful band to be supported entirely by its fans and only its fans. This is ground breaking and important. While the big corporate giants have gobbled everything up and left Rock N Roll hanging out to dry, the rest of us have been true to the music we love. Kick Ass Rock.”
Snew got their start in 2005 in Hollywood California and Snew You is their debut release. The band kicks it in to high gear right from start of the album with the song, “Stand Up High.” This track is filled with fast paced driving hard rock beats that are overflowing with big guitar and drum sounds. Top all of that music off with band lead singer Curtis Don Vito’s vocals that have an authentic gritty edged rock n’ roll growl that brings each verse of song lyrics to life and you have a great hard rock song.
On the track, “Head Trauma,” the band brings in a little bit of a blues edge to their hard driving rock n’ roll party that helps to keep things fresh. “She’s A Real Gunslinger,” is a track that brings some spice to the party.
“Heavy Water,” pounds the closing ribbon on this 10- tracks release with its heavy beats, killer bass, and rock n’ roll wake-up-the-dead scream vocals.
The decision on whether you’re going to like Snew’s music is pretty simple, if you like hard driving, guitar lead rock n’ roll then Snew is going to be very high up on your list of favorite bands and if you don’t like hard driving rock music then check yourself in to the closest hospital for testing!
Rating 9.5 out of 10
September 2009
Honestly, having never heard them before, on first spin, I was expecting something different from Hollywood's Snew on their third album We Do What We Want. First impressions are a bitch: not another AC/DC clone. Groan. Between the general texture of the music and Curtis Don Vito's vocals, that's what I heard. Happily, first impressions didn't last after giving We Do What We Want a road test while running yesterday's errands.
We Do What We Want is pure rock and roll, more raunch and roll. While that certain Australian influence remains, it is enlivened by pure 80's Sunset Strip swagger. Yeah, sweaty whisky swilling rock and roll that looks you in the eye and takes no prisoners while it kicks you in the nuts. So Snew may only be reinventing wheel, they do it quite well with nods to rock history and legends. Jackyl can be heard in Private Stash, Judas Priest in Risking My Life, and anything pure Hollywood glam in the fantastic Feedback and Distortion. Snew can turn trick with catchy hooks on most every song, but they are quite tasty on Power Pack and Feedback and Distortion. They show some sonic creativity with the gutsy blues of Who the Hell are You (and with We Do What We Want, the closest songs to that 'down under' band). Don Vito's raspy shouts and screams remind of a blend of Bon Scott and Udo Dirkschneider, perfectly suited for Snew's style. Andy Lux's licks are fundamental, yet burst with energy on every track.
Snew's We Do What We Want is solid American hard rock: blistering, rollicking, and fist pumping action. Informed by classic 80's hard rock and legends of the past, Snew delivers the goods with skill and enthusiasm. And, by the way, it passed the road toast. So buy it, crank it up to 11, and ride with it. Very recommended.
Rating 4.0 out of 5.0
April 26 2010
Led by vocalist Curtis Don Vito, a screaming AC/DC meets The Answer type of singer, Snew are stylistically classic with a slight southern vibe through the rhythm sections molded with tile blues and injecting a little punk fury. Simply put, Snew are built on a solid foundation of classic rock with a bluesed up punk edge. And this album is the real deal too tackling the important issues of sex, drugs and rock n roll with an upbeat nature designed to get you out of your seat, just as it should be.
AC/DC rockers Got Love, She's A Real Gunslinger or Head Trauma won't disappoint while Kick Me Over is a striking 7Os style belter with a fantastic
rhythm. And the dirty anthems just keep coming with title track Snew You or the rip tearing Stand Up High making this a great underground classic rock album.
May 2009
Snew's debut, "Snew You", is an absolute must for anyone craving real rock, the kind of rock 'n' roll that is no frills, straight forward, head bangin', raw, party music like many of us grew up with in the 70s and 80s (the kind a new generation of young rockers, sick of the crap on the radio and MTV, are hungry for). You're not bombarded with politics or world problems with Snew's music. I don't know about you, but if I want to hear about politics or world issues, I watch the news or read news blogs. When I listen to music it's for fun and to forget about problems for a while, which is as it should be. Snew's music is the perfect pressure valve for letting you blow off some steam and have a good time. So, for those naysayers who think rock is dead, never fear Snew is here!
The first track, "Stand Up High", is a balls to the wall, full-throttle, high octane song that sounds a bit like some AC/DC, Jackyl and Dangerous Toys were all thrown in a blender with rocket fuel. This track sets the mood and lets you know what you're in for, and what a great mood-setter it is. You're now ready to crank the volume up to ten!
Before you can catch your breath, you're into track two, "Got Love", which is one of the tracks I really like on this album. It's funny, actually, as I'm listening to an album and taking notes I put asterisks next to the songs that really catch my attention, and I found myself putting asterisks next to almost every song on this album. That is a truly rare thing for me, indeed! "Got Love" also has an AC/DC and/or Jackyl feel to it. It's one of those songs you can really shake you ass to. Curtis Don Vito's vocals are amazing on this track. He has a great, gritty rock 'n' roll voice that sounds a bit like Bon Scott and Jesse James Dupree all rolled into one. His voice, along with the straight forward style of Snew's music, is why they draw comparisons to early AC/DC and Jackyl. But, make no mistake, Snew is not just another band in the long list of copy-cat bands down through the years. Although they are compared to other bands, their sound is entirely their own, which is why these guys should go far.
The band's anthem, "Snew You", is the next song on the album. The beginning of the song reminds me of the Ramones, but it quickly merges into a very fast-paced, aggressive, rockin' tune. This song has some cool guitar riffs and a smokin' solo by Snew guitarist, Andy Lux. All the while, the rhythm section, featuring awesome bass lines by Cat Tate, keeps up the frenetic punk rock pace of this track.
Another of my favorite tracks on this album is next. It's called, "She's A Real Gunslinger". Another ass-shakin', AC/DC-like song, this one is hit material. It's got a very catchy chorus, a great beat and infectious guitar riffs. This tune is just plain fan-freakin-tastic!
"Kick Me Over", the next song on the list, is another tune I really liked. In fact, the rest of the songs on the album have my asterisks next to them! This song goes in a different direction, with it's old school, 70s era, groovin' sound. It features another scorching guitar solo by Andy and driving bass lines by Cat that reach deep inside ya.
"Kick Me Over" is followed by "Head Trauma". This steamy, bluesy track probably reminds me, more than any other track on this album, of AC/DC. It has the feel of AC/DC's "Ride On". This song is flat-out killer, and Curtis shows off his pipes on this one. He really wails at the end of this tune!
The seventh song on the CD is "Electric Is The Law". After the slowdown of the last track, the pace picks up once again with this energy-packed, hard rockin' tune with somewhat of a Jackyl sound. Again, as my readers know, I hate comparing new bands to existing bands, because it makes it seem as though they're just copying another band's sound. Unfortunately, it's also the only way to help people get a picture of what a song sounds like. So, I once again want to reiterate what I've said before. Just because I'm making a comparison to another band, does not mean I think this band sounds just exactly like that band. If I ever think a band is just a copy-cat band, I'll make that very clear in my review. That being said, let me move on here. This track has, once again, some great bass lines from Snew bassist, Cat Tate. I also love the breaks where you hear only the drums and vocals, and the listener is again gifted with a superb guitar solo.
The next track, "Get It To Go", is burning up the asphalt, head banging rock 'n' roll. It features some machine gun paced bass thumpin' and ass kickin' guitar licks. This one will have your adrenaline going for sure.
After bangin' your head you get to slow down and take a breather once again with the next song, "Vibrator". The drums on this track are very cool, courtesy of Snew's percussionist, Mark Ohrenberger. You're also treated to soulful and bluesy guitar solos by Andy. There are even a little bit of keyboards in this track.
The album finishes off on a high note with "Heavy Water". After you're mellowed out by the previous track you get smacked right in the face with this rapid fire tune that's like Motorhead meets Jackyl. It's a thrill a minute ride on the Snew train!
You know, it's so rare to run across an album where every song is good. I don't know how Snew will top themselves in the future, but I can't wait to find out. I can't emphasize more how much every rocker needs this CD in their collection. I know I'm keeping this one in my CD changer for sure!
January 2009
Most of the CDs I get these days are for bands I haven't come across before, which is great because I get to hear a lot of things I might not have encountered otherwise. Sometimes, though, it's a bit frustrating. Mainly when an album like this comes along. We Do What We Want is the second album by Californian rockers Snew, and the reason it's frustrating is I didn't encounter them on their debut.
These guys are seriously good. No doubt they are going to be continually dogged by comparisons with AC/DC, something of an inevitability with their hard rocking, whisky-soaked, slightly sleazy sound and the fact that Curtis Don Vito could easily replace the vocals for Back In Black without many people being any the wiser. But the truth is Snew stands up well to the comparison.
Title track and opener explodes through the speakers, exuding confidence, energy and a definite fuck you attitude that holds true throughout this all too short ten track album. One CD should not be allowed to contain as many hooks as this does, and I haven't been disappointed with any of the tracks. Feedback and Distortion is a sleazy monster, Who The Hell Are You underlines the hard rock fever with a dose of blues, while the power and the pace is a constant running through it all.
Snew's debut album Snew You was named by SleazeRoxx in the top ten albums of 2008 - released at the end of March, We Do What We Want is surely a contender for top ten of 2010. Now I just need to get my hands on Snew You. As for you, dear reader, definitely get this one, and if you haven't got either album - get both.
May 3 2010
I might just be a little bit in love. Firstly, Snew blew me away with their second album We Do What We Want, then the guys kindly agreed to be guinea pigs for the first ever interview I've attempted - and then they sent me a copy of their debut. And it was just as good as I expected it to be. Well, SleazeRoxx had named it in the top ten albums of 2008 and they have a pretty good idea of what they're talking about.
It is a magnificent album. Straightforward, no frills rock, designed to be played at full volume and blow your speakers. Right from the opener Stand Up High it's going to get a reaction. Raw power in the vocals, aggressive riffs and many an anthemic track, these guys know how to write and perform, and they embody the best of the classic 80s hard rock style. They also know how to ride a blues wave with the wonderful Head Trauma, turn up the sleaze factor with She's A Real Gunslinger, and throw in a bit of punk attitude in title track Snew You.
Seriously, if you still haven't checked Snew out, you really, really have to. I wouldn't want to decide between the first and second albums as to which is the better one, so get both. That's an order -DO IT!
July 11 2010
I might just be a little bit in love. Firstly, Snew blew me away with their second album We Do What We Want, then the guys kindly agreed to be guinea pigs for the first ever interview I've attempted - and then they sent me a copy of their debut. And it was just as good as I expected it to be. Well, SleazeRoxx had named it in the top ten albums of 2008 and they have a pretty good idea of what they're talking about.
It is a magnificent album. Straightforward, no frills rock, designed to be played at full volume and blow your speakers. Right from the opener Stand Up High it's going to get a reaction. Raw power in the vocals, aggressive riffs and many an anthemic track, these guys know how to write and perform, and they embody the best of the classic 80s hard rock style. They also know how to ride a blues wave with the wonderful Head Trauma, turn up the sleaze factor with She's A Real Gunslinger, and throw in a bit of punk attitude in title track Snew You.
Seriously, if you still haven't checked Snew out, you really, really have to. I wouldn't want to decide between the first and second albums as to which is the better one, so get both. That's an order -DO IT!
July 11 2010
I might just be a little bit in love. Firstly, Snew blew me away with their second album We Do What We Want, then the guys kindly agreed to be guinea pigs for the first ever interview I've attempted - and then they sent me a copy of their debut. And it was just as good as I expected it to be. Well, SleazeRoxx had named it in the top ten albums of 2008 and they have a pretty good idea of what they're talking about.
It is a magnificent album. Straightforward, no frills rock, designed to be played at full volume and blow your speakers. Right from the opener Stand Up High it's going to get a reaction. Raw power in the vocals, aggressive riffs and many an anthemic track, these guys know how to write and perform, and they embody the best of the classic 80s hard rock style. They also know how to ride a blues wave with the wonderful Head Trauma, turn up the sleaze factor with She's A Real Gunslinger, and throw in a bit of punk attitude in title track Snew You.
Seriously, if you still haven't checked Snew out, you really, really have to. I wouldn't want to decide between the first and second albums as to which is the better one, so get both. That's an order -DO IT!
July 11 2010
Honestly, having never heard them before, on first spin, I was expecting something different from Hollywood's Snew on their third album We Do What We Want. First impressions are a bitch: not another AC/DC clone. Groan. Between the general texture of the music and Curtis Don Vito's vocals, that's what I heard. Happily, first impressions didn't last after giving We Do What We Want a road test while running yesterday's errands.
We Do What We Want is pure rock and roll, more raunch and roll. While that certain Australian influence remains, it is enlivened by pure 80's Sunset Strip swagger. Yeah, sweaty whisky swilling rock and roll that looks you in the eye and takes no prisoners while it kicks you in the nuts. So Snew may only be reinventing wheel, they do it quite well with nods to rock history and legends. Jackyl can be heard in Private Stash, Judas Priest in Risking My Life, and anything pure Hollywood glam in the fantastic Feedback and Distortion. Snew can turn trick with catchy hooks on most every song, but they are quite tasty on Power Pack and Feedback and Distortion. They show some sonic creativity with the gutsy blues of Who the Hell are You (and with We Do What We Want, the closest songs to that 'down under' band). Don Vito's raspy shouts and screams remind of a blend of Bon Scott and Udo Dirkschneider, perfectly suited for Snew's style. Andy Lux's licks are fundamental, yet burst with energy on every track.
Snew's We Do What We Want is solid American hard rock: blistering, rollicking, and fist pumping action. Informed by classic 80's hard rock and legends of the past, Snew delivers the goods with skill and enthusiasm. And, by the way, it passed the road toast. So buy it, crank it up to 11, and ride with it. Very recommended.
Rating 4.0 out of 5.0
April 26 2010