Sister Sin - 'Switchblade Serenades'

Some CDs and artists you want to tell all your friends about, like that new obscure Croatian death/prog/polka band you discovered. Others are more guilty pleasures that you keep to yourself. Sister Sin's Switchblade Serenades may be one of those CDs.

Switchblade Serenades is good old fashioned glam metal/rock. The Swedish band's music is packed with cheesy cliches, but Sister Sin also packs it with great riffs and addictingly catchy melodies. Their sound hearkens back to the glory days of '80s metal, sleazy and anthemic.

The songs are simply constructed, but very effective. The mid '80s guitar sound, ample solos and singalong choruses would have made Sister Sin perfectly at home on the Sunset Strip back in the day. Vocalist Liv has a good voice with a bit of an edge, and her delivery is perfect for these songs.

There's no need to be ashamed, Switchblade Serenades is a very enjoyable blast from the past that you'll wanna crank up as you jump into your Trans Am to go buy more hairspray.

(released October 14, 2008 on Victory Records)