### Bloody Mary: We rock, you suck!

#### 04/09/09 || cadenz

OK, what do we have here? Some hard rock from France. Hmm… how many good hard rock bands hailing from France have I heard? Erm… Anyway, this band has obviously made themselves a name as a hard touring act as they’ve played over 150 gigs in Europe during their short existence (they were formed in 2005), and now they’ve unleashed their debut album, the cockily titled “We Rock, You Suck !”. Seems that there’s no lack of attitude anyways.

I have to compliment their cover art as well, naked chicks holding instruments always does the trick for me. Unfortunately they made they unwise decision to make the gals cover their private parts with the bass, snare and guitar…come one, guys – it’s a self-released album! You can do whatever you want! We need some more skin! End rant.

Now to the music. If I didn’t know they’re from France, I’d have guessed 99 times out of 100 that they’re from USA, and once that they’re Canadians who want to be Americans. That last one isn’t actually that far from the truth, many canucks being Frenchies and all… and these Frenchies wanting to be Americans – soundwise at least. This is Sunset Strip hard rock, cheese and glam is to be found aplenty.

What’s crucial in this kind of ballwrenching rock is the vocalist’s skills to hot shit up. Fortunately axe- and voxman Pierre Fargetton delivers a manly, passionate and emotional (no, not emo) rasp that holds up. Nothing exceptional about his guitar playing though, it’s just like all the instruments: tightly and professionally played but nothing out of the ordinary. Extra gold star for the funky bassism in the closer “Living It Large”, but that could be one of the numerous guest artists on the album, J. Bisello, doing his tricks. (I’ve got no clue who all these guys are and what instrument who plays, as that wasn’t specified in the info I received. Not that I care a whole lot, so fuck me with a squirrel. Please use lube.)

The production is quite airy but all instruments are still distinct and are very well separated from each other in the mix, maybe even a little bit too much. The guitars are also mixed a tad too loud, and the vocals could’ve been a little more to the front. Arrangement-wise these guys have done a pretty good job, it’s definitely better than most debut albums. Unfortunately they’ve gone for the easy way out in most songs with very clichéd song structures and some passages between verse/bridge, bridge/chorus etc sound a little forced.

The mediocrity, or call it normality is what bugs me most about this record; it’s nice to listen to while listening to it, and it’s probably a nice party record but not much sticks in my head and I never get any “whoa!”-moments. I wondered if it’s because I’m not the biggest sleaze hard rock fan in the world, but it really isn’t – any music sounds good and can give you thrills, if it’s done well enough. This isn’t that good, but it’s OK.

- Information
- Released: 2009
- Label: Self released
- Website: Bloody Mary MySpace
- Band
- Pierre Fargetton: guitar, vocals
- Manu Livertout: bass, backing vocals
- Damien Billy: drums, backing vocals

- Tracklist
- 01. Mary Go Round
- 02. On My Own
- 03. Love Is Like Addictive
- 04. This Time Tomorrow
- 05. Showtime
- 06. Hollywood
- 07. Restland
- 08. Tequila
- 09. Big City Lights
- 10. Living It Large