Bad City – Welcome To The Wasteland 2010 Japan Edition

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Late in the first decade of current Millennium, young 5-piece BAD CITY created a stir around the Chicago underground scene with their riff-crazy brand of old-school hard rock. Signed by major label Atlantic, their debut album “Welcome To The Wasteland” is an electrifying introduction to the band’s idiosyncratic sound, riddled with glamtastic melodies, tasty hooks, and stadium-sized choruses.

This quintet will tickle your nostalgia bone with “Welcome to the Wasteland” – this is hard rock with melody and positive feel good vibes. As requested, here’s the now out of print Japanese edition including 2 bonus tracks.
With its allusions to Cheap Trick and KISS, this record clearly hits Paul Stanley’s sweet spot for anthem-heavy rock ‘n’ roll (one of the album songs is titled ‘Call Paul Stanley’).
Paul Stanley said: “Welcome To The Wasteland is an absolute knockout and the best album I’ve heard in ages. A killer, cohesive album of great rock and bombastic production that has been sorely missing. Every track is a winner and Bad City raises the bar out of most band’s reach. It’s really that good.”
Can’t agree more … ”Welcome To The Wasteland [Japanese Edition +2]’‘ is a real gem!

Led by frontman Josh Caddy, Bad City received an impressive shout-out from both the press and renowned classic rock musicians. Channeling everything from Queen, KISS, Chep Trick, to the pop-metal of ‘80s hair bands, Bad City wrote rock songs about rock songs, clearly targeting an audience that loves classic rock radio and craves new tunes that sound exactly like the old ones.

“Showdown in Central Park” opens the album and immediately shows what Bad City is all about: soaring choruses, electrifying melodies, and songs made to blow out the speakers of arenas. Even with the ballad “Fire in the Pouring Rain”, no intensity is lost.
The aforementioned “Call Paul Stanley” is ready for the arenas to sing-along all day. The same goes for ”Touch” which has a big chorus and big hit feel. ”Welcome to the Wasteland” finally reaches its boiling point on “Look Out!”, a ferocious number with a hard-hitting hook that’s bound to become a fan favorite live.

A lot of credit needs to go to producer Johnny K (Disturbed, Sevendust). His spot on production makes the record sound absolutely massive with every riff and hook.
“Welcome to the Wasteland” was – and still is – a breath of fresh air in a world filled with melodramatic rock bands. Unfortunately Bad City combusted so quickly and disbanded two years after this really good rockin’ debut.
You will find yourself tapping your feet and banging your head all over with this CD, and you have 2 bonus tracks (‘Love On War’ is one of the best songs!) to keep rocking a little longer.
HIGHLY Recommended

01. Showdown In Central Park
02. Take Me For A Ride
03. Do You Believe In Rock N Roll
04. Wildlife
05. Fire In The Pouring Rain
06. Call Paul Stanley
07. Heatwave
08. Look Out!
09. Touch
10. Straight To The Grave
11. Don't Stop (Japanese Bonus Track)
12. War On Love (Japanese Bonus Track)

Josh Caddy (lead vocals)
Max Perenchio (guitar)
Tom Schleiter (guitar)
Jake Serek (bass)
Kevin Kane (drums)

turbo FLAC