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Airbourne
Some bands have it dialed in. They release an indie EP, relocate to a larger city, sign a major label deal and open for the likes of the Rolling Stones and Motley Crue. Airbourne, who formed in Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, did all that.
Their eight-song EP "Ready To Rock" landed in '97 and eight years later they moved to Melbourne. However, Airbourne hit a rough spot when Capitol Records, who had signed Airbourne in '05, dropped the group two years later. Seems there are always ways out of "five record deals" when you're a label. Even so, Airbourne's '08 album "Runnin' Wild" containing the title track, "Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast" and "Diamond In The Rough" was released in Australia on Capitol's parent label EMI. Roadrunner Records handled the rest of the world. Maybe Capitol figured Airbourne was just an Australian thing. But their "Stand Up For Rock 'n' Roll," from "Runnin' Wild," was the theme song for World Wrestling Entertainment's 21st annual Royal Rumble 2008. Their music was also featured in Madden 08, NHL 08, Grand Theft Auto IV and NASCAR 08 video games.
Work on the group's sophomore effort began in early '09 at the Criterion Hotel, the pub were Airbourne played their first hometown gigs. "We're getting all our gear plugged in and getting set for Aussie pub Rock written in an Aussie Rock pub!," stated O'Keeffe.
Having survived the Dead of Winter Tour with Motley Crue and the Joe Perry Project, Airbourne issued "No Guts, No Glory" in April, 10.
About 30 years earlier another Aussie band, AC/DC, made their debut. While Airbourne lacks AC/DC's inherent maliciousness the group is mining the motherlode. "Runnin' Wild" and "No Guts, No Glory" have power chords, hot riffs, propulsive rhythms and snarling vocals. And no B.S.
Coincidently, the soundtrack to "Iron Man 2," containing AC/DC tracks came out the day before "No Guts, No Glory." It begs the question: Does the world really need a younger AC/DC? The answer, categorically, is 'Yes'!
Airbourne has the pub Rock swagger down cold.
"Runnin' Wild" kicks from beginning to end. Literally. A lot of bands toss off an album's last track offering some weak ballad in a tepid attempt to appeal to the mainstream. Not Airbourne. These lads uncork the sonic din of "Hellfire." Much appreciated! The title track is strong but before and after it are stellar tracks - the great "Stand Up For Rock N' Roll" and the stunning "Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast." While "Cheap Wine & Cheaper Women" is a great title (and good number), "Girls In Black" is better. Check it out.
"No Guts, No Glory" presents simple choices - live or die, as "Get Busy Livin'" preaches. But there is still a place for lust as Airbourne shows their Hair Metal roots on "Blonde, Bad And Beautiful."
"Overdrive" is the set's anthem but it's the tales of life's hard lessons, "No Way But The Hard Way," "From The Bottom Of The Well" and "Back On The Bottle," that stick.