Deraps Viva Rock N' Roll CD Review
Deraps is a band that’s new to me, but the brand/genre/sound of the music they’re playing isn’t new to me at all… This is straight up late 70’s/early 80’s Hard Rock/Metal with tons of nods to bands like Van Halen, Night Ranger and so on. Currently, the band is readying to release their sophomore release “Viva Rock N’ Roll” for Metalville Records.
I can tell you right from the jump, this is a guitar-based band and the bulk of the tracks on this album were written in that manner. Where’s the solo going, how much can I rip in this section and so on. That’s not to say this isn’t good, it is, but oftentimes everything takes a back seat to the guitar work on the album. And while that’s good, lyrics are just as important – you want your audience to relate and to be taken back to a special time in their life, a great memory, or a lost love etc. The track “Last Fall” hits on this thought process but it’s the fifth track on the album, it should’ve been the 2nd track. The song is good enough in a Van Halen meets Enuff Z’nuff sort of way to forgive that it took so long to get to it. The songs before this one are good, but they do tend to fall into the sometimes-forgettable category more than I’d like. “Setting Sun” is another of those tracks with something to say and it harnesses all the good feels that this band is capable of – I’ve got a ton of friends on my social media accounts that would flock to this tune. The band does show up with a few more moments that’ll please fans of bands like Cats in Boots, Sweet FA and Spread Eagle – “The Dawg Stomp” stands out big time. Great vocals, with a huge hook and a deep pocket for the melody. A throwback to the late 80’s Sleaze scene!
This isn’t a bad effort for a sophomore release, if the band can keep on writing music like this and get themselves in good with a slick producer, the sky is the limit. Check this album out if you’re into 80’s Hard Rock, it'll look, feel and sound good in your Glam/Sleaze section.