Very happy to see them about to explode, all reviews point to a mainstream success, and well deserved as they have been working for years to get there.
Not that my opinion is more valid than anyone else, but none of the new tunes grabbed my heart or soul. I was really hoping one would, great hooks, cool riffs, but nothing here grabs me. THEN AGAIN, lol, I still say "Takes My Life" and "Familiar Taste" are hands down their best written songs to date. Both DID grab my soul, and neither charted...so...
I had high high hopes once I heard of a piano only ballad, a shot for Lzzy to pour out a haunting melody, yes I was excited. I tried listening to "Break In" repeatedly, nothin. None of this matters though as I can't figure American Rock out anymore, or what's left of it aside from a shining Tommy Morrello moment with Bruce, it's all becoming a bland drone. It's very 1985 now in the sense that commercial "hair bands" ruled the nation, then GnR set it right, and Nirvana came along to make that overblown newness right. Both had great songs that grabbed ya though, GnR 70s inspiration, and Nirvana's twist of adding great hooks and melodies to punk. Mind you I don't get a thing out of Shinedown, GodSmack or Stained either, uninspired soul-less dreck.
That said the kids of America should grab onto this and buy a million copies and make the bands sweat and tears pay off, so 'Here's to' them and Halestorm. Keep rockin'.
Peace