Kix – Rock Your Face Off
Loud and Proud Records
http://loudandproudrecords.com/releases/rock-your-face-off/

Rating: B+

KIX are best known for their 1988 power ballad “Don’t Close Your Eyes” from their Platinum selling album Blow My Fuse.  The song and album proved to be the commercial high point for the band.  While talented, and actually having a rare unique sound in the often synonymous sounding Hair Metal genre, KIX were never able to achieve the success they seemed destined to achieve.  Now, after nearly a two decade break from the studio—yes, I am talking twenty freaking years- KIX is back, and have released what may just be the best album of their career.

Rock Your Face Off is pure, sweaty, loud and gritty rock and roll mixed with a punky attitude.  The songs all rock as there is not a bad track on the album.  Released on Loud and Proud records, the label name is an accurate description of what this once forgotten band from the ‘80s truly is in the modern day. 

Guitarist Brian Forsythe describes the bands new music, “When we first played ‘Love Me with Your Top Down’ live just a few months ago, it went over like gangbusters with the fans.  It’s a catchy little tune with classic KIX flavor, a perfect choice for the first taste of the record.”

The album opens with “Wheels in Motion” which gets the listeners attention.  “You’re Gone” is another rocker with a hint of AC/DC, while “Can’t Stop the Show” is perhaps one of the better examples of KIX unique sound.  The song builds in energy as it mixes everything into it from Telsa to the Rolling Stones to, once again, AC/DC.  “Rolling in Honey” and the aforementioned “Love Me with Your Top Down” are perhaps the best of the bunch. If it were 1988 once again, both songs would be huge hits with hot videos on MTV!   

Today’s KIX features most of their original members.  The lineup consists of Steve Whiteman (vocals), Brian “Damage” Forsythe (guitar), Ronnie “10/10″ Younkins (guitar) and Jimmy “Chocolate” Chalfant (drums).  The only non-original member is Mark Schenker (bass).

Vocalist Steve Whitman is excited about this album, as he should be when he states, “I want everybody to end up on their feet, whether they’re working out or stuck in rush hour traffic.  This is something to lift your spirits when you need it.  You can party to this one.”

Rock Your Face Off is a fresh sounding album that stays true to the sprit of the music they made back in the day.  While not re-inventing the wheel, KIX is proving that classic hard rock and roll can still rock–even if it’s new! 

The bottom line here is that KIX has released one of the best albums of the year with Rock Your Face Off. 

Check it out just once, and you’ll be playing it over and over again. 

Tracklist:
01 – Wheels in Motion
02 – You’re Gone
03 – Can’t Stop the Show
04 – Rollin’ in Honey
05 – Rock Your Face Off
06 – All the Right Things
07 – Dirty Girls
08 – Inside Outside Inn
09 – Mean Miss Adventure
10 – Love Me with Your Top Down
11 – Tail on the Wag
12 – Rock & Roll Showdown

http://loudandproudrecords.com/releases/rock-your-face-off/