I wasn’t sure what to expect when a CD by a band called Naughty Boys dropped through my letterbox for review. However, I’ve learned by now that names in particular can be deceptive (The Poodles anyone ??!!) and from the very first note on this CD I knew I was going to like it. 

So who are the Naughty Boys exactly??  Well, they hail from Sweden (doesn’t every decent melodic rock band nowadays?) and initially formed in 1989, putting out their debut album in 1993, before disbanding a year later. In 2002 they got back together and started writing again, releasing a couple of singles along the way and even having a track included on Melodicrock.com “Beast Inside” compilation. The success of these releases encouraged them to enter the studio once more, the result of which is this very CD. 

The album opens with a very David Coverdale howl, before bursting into the excellent “Only God”. “I Will” follows and has a definite White Lion feel to it, mostly due to the vocal similarities of Mikael Sandvik to Mike Tramp. “After The Rain” is a typical 80’s style stadium ballad…if only the smoking ban hadn’t scuppered the audience’s lighter waving moment !!As with so many of their Swedish counterparts, Naughty Boys seem to have that uncanny ear for a great melody and “Trail Of Tears” benefits from just that, as well as a great chorus. Certainly one of the highlights of the album. 

“Last Man Standing” has a more laid-back groove, whilst “Stay” rocks it up again with more than a hint of White Lion once more. “Close My Eyes” starts with one of those huge sounding intros that threatens to burst out of your stereo before giving way to a stripped back vocal which takes you to another decent chorus. Another great 80s sounding track. “Bitter Tears” is another power ballad type song. 

“Is This Love” again returns us up-tempo with a great guitar melody driving the track forwards to another really infectious chorus. Another album highlight for me. A piano intro leads us into “Learn To Fly” which, after a slow start, bursts into life and rocks big time. “Nothing Can Bring Me Down” has a funky style about it, although perhaps isn’t quite as good as some of the other tracks. “2 Worlds Collide” starts off with a real swagger, almost Whitesnake like, whilst the album closes with another emotion fuelled track, “Something To Believe In”.

In summary, Naughty Boys have delivered a quality melodic rock album with plenty of 80s rock overtones thrown in for good measure, which is absolutely fine with me. I sincerely hope the boys don’t leave it another 14 years before giving us a third album, because I may just be too old to be too naughty by then!!!

Let us know your views on R.U Naughty Enough?

Track Listing

Only God
I Will
After The Rain
Trail Of Tears
Last Man Standing
Stay
Close My Eyes
Bitter Tears
Is This Love
Learn To Fly
Nothing Can Bring Me Down
2 Worlds Collide
Something To Believe In

Line Up

Mikael Sandvik - Vocals
Morgan Valentin - Keyboard
Hans Olsson - Guitar
Jonas Ludvigsson - Drums
Robert Norberg - Bass