Being an online metal critic (as if that isn’t the most pretentious job title ever), I’m no stranger to bands with hard to pronounce names. The most notorious of these offenders in recent years has been Sanguisugabogg. Yet here comes an AOR band from Sweden with a much shorter and seemingly easier to pronounce name which has been weighing heavily on my mind for the past few hours. “Cruzh”: How on earth do you pronounce it? Is it “crush” with a “z”? Or is it pronounced “Cruz” as in the Hispanic surname and the “h” is silent? I’m going to assume it’s the former, but that doesn’t make the situation any less confusing.
What isn’t confusing is the music that comprises Cruzh’s second album, Tropical Thunder (not to be confused with the similarly named 2008 comedy, Tropic Thunder). There’s no hidden meaning, bigger picture, or overarching theme to be found. Just pure 80s worship touching on the finest aspects of classic AOR and hard rock, and done remarkably well at that. I shouldn’t be overly surprised. Some of the best hard rock of the past 20 years has come out of Sweden (i.e. The Night Flight Orchestra, Hardcore Superstar, Crashdïet, Eclipse, H.E.A.T, etc.). Cruzh fits perfectly into this prestige tier.
Tropical Thunder opens with its anthemic title track, which also happens to be my choice cut. Gloriously cheesy and hellaciously heavy, “Tropical Thunder” boasts the type of over the top vocals and coked out guitar work that would make Dokken blush. It’s best suited to be played while drag racing, partying on the beach, or partaking in any other debaucherous activity you could dream of. “We Go Together” and “Are You Ready” utilize the production approach of another 80s “D” band, Def Leppard. Reverb drenched guitars? Check. Cannon drums? Check. Boisterous gang vocals chanting “HEY”? Check. If you dig Hysteria era Leppard, well, prepare to “get hysterical”.
The first half of this album had me questioning whether Cruzh is hard rock or AOR. They tow the line between the two better than just about any band out there today. Well come the triple hit, neon lit combo of “New York Nights”, “All You Need”, and “Line in the Sand”, it became clear that Cruzh is indeed an AOR band at heart. These songs showcase a trifecta of sublime synths, harmonious vocals, and heavy riffage, resulting in three unique, nocturnal AOR opuses. This is music tailor made for rolling down the windows and cruising in the dead of the night, basking in the midnight aura.
I really must hand it to Cruzh. Questionable band name aside, these boys have a lethal knack for hooks, melody, and atmosphere. In a better world, they’d rise above the melodic rock niche and become the new darlings of rock radio worldwide. If this review has anything to do with such an effort, I’m honored to be a part of it.
8 out of 10
Label: Frontiers Records
Genre: AOR
For fans of: Def Leppard, Survivor, Dokken