A fiery cauldron of controversy

Sham 69 - Hollywood Hero
Posted by Laila Hanson on 22-May-08 @ 04:41 PM

[2/5]
Feelings of trepidation were to be expected before hearing Sham 69's latest album, as this Dave Parsons-led incarnation of the pioneering British street-punk band lack original frontman Jimmy Pursey. Turns out, a majority of the tracks were actually penned by Parsons and Pursey before the former singer was kicked out. Though they fashioned a few enjoyable, high-intensity rockers like "Asbo Sports Day," "Western Culture" and the poignant "Give Me A Minute," this record doesn't scream "Sham!" In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to identify Hollywood Hero as Sham if the name wasn't on the cover (frankly, it sounds more like U.K. Subs). Maybe it's just a longing for bygone days, but few songs have the effect of such classic stompers as "Tell Us The Truth," "Borstal Breakout" or "What Have We Got." By the same token, the ho-hum numbers ("No Apologies," "I Want Glory") mercifully aren't ill-conceived horrors on the scale of 1978's "I'm A Man, I'm A Boy." (S.O.S.) Janelle Jones


Official Website: http://www.sosrecords.us


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