Whilst you might be expecting a melodic rock CD in actual fact ‘Crank It Up’ is a sleazy garage rock album from the current TNT and former Shy frontman Tony Mills and Swedish multi-instrumentalist Linkan Andersson, who plays everything apart from the drums. In the sleeve notes Mills cites the influence of the garage bands from the late 60’s and early 70’s such as the MC5 and Iggy and the Stooges and this is further emphasised by a cover version of the latter’s ‘Search And Destroy’. In addition to these bands then think of early Alice Cooper and The Ramones and this will offer a good idea of the type of sound you will find here, the duo having replicated the production style of this era. 

After a quiet introduction the title track kicks in and is immediately in-your-face, an aggressive delivery from Mills over some crunching power chords and a biting chorus. ‘Skin And Blood’ follows in a similar vein, although has a more contemporary punk sound and is a little wayward. Next up is the previously mentioned cover version and this has some nice guitar work from Andersson coupled with Mills hard-edged vocal and works well. ‘No Rights’ and ‘Kill For Love’ follow the same blueprint and, whilst they are listenable enough, mark the point where the album starts to get repetitive. The guys don’t really deviate from the template and so the tempo doesn’t change until very near the end with the anthem-like ‘Hard To Beat’ and the closing ballad ‘Bleeding Heart’. This is a chance for Mills to showcase his more melodic style and a sweeping guitar sound from Andersson provides one of the real highlights. 

Overall, whilst there are some very good moments here, ‘Crank It Up’ though is lacking in the consistency to mark it out as a truly great album and some of the songwriting isn’t really up to scratch. I’m not sure how long they had to get the album together but two or three of the songs come across as pure filler. That said, it is interesting to hear Mills try his hand at something a little different from his trademark sound and, as always, he gives 100%. I have seen him with Shy at the NEC Arena in front of 12,000 people and also at a small club in Dudley, when he was fronting a Rush tribute band in front of just 200, and you really can’t knock him for the enthusiasm and passion that he shows. ‘Crank It Up’ is released on November 20^th.

Let us know your views on 'Crank It Up'

Track List

Crank It Up
Skin And Blood
Search And Destroy
No Rights
Kill For Love
Smile
Nothing But Poison
Head On Collision
Anyone
Straight From The Heart
Hard To Beat
Bleeding Heart

Line Up

Tony Mills - Vocals
Linkan Andersson - Guitars/Bass
Paul Fredrik - Drums