Starwood

If it Ain’t Broke, Break It! (Metal Blade)
by Martin Popoff

Lizzy Borden packaged not so secretly as a glam metal act, Starwood sound like a cross between Brides of Destruction and The Wildhearts. The disc is not without problems. Lighter, mellower moments drag, and the production is a little claustrophobic, tight, thin, and lacking in bottom end. But man, Lizzy’s never sounded better. He’s absolutely suited to this kind of super-charged hair band glam. He should have done this sooner. Some of the clichés grate (and I don’t like the cover or the faceless band name, and yes, I know what it means), but for the most part, the electricity and the punky energy flows, bolstered by gang vocals and layers of loud guitars. Highlights: “You’re So Real” and “Bad Machine,” which happen to be the last two tracks on this short album.
(www.metalblade.com)