StOp, sToP! – ‘Get Selfied’ Album Review

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Glam hard rock has made something of a minor come back in recent years with a need for readily accessible, harder than pop and radio-friendly rock that yells “Party Time!”. Bands like The Darkness, Sebastian Bach’s We Are Harlot and even Black Veil Brides playing into the act of wearing eccentric outfits with outlandish hair, and even more ridiculous names. Parody band Steel Panther has put the genre back on the map and enjoyed the most success in these years by hamming it up and rocking out tracks that are so over the top that the ‘80s have called to demand their hairspray, drugs and strippers back.

It stands to reason that this style of rock would attract plenty of imitators and pretenders to the throne, but Spanish rockers, StOp, sToP! are no performers of cheap tricks. Formed in 2007 and having producing three albums since – their last ‘Barceloningham’ in 2016 – they’re in no hurry to stop thrashing through stadiums and clubs, delivering high-energy hard rock that is as ridiculously loud as their hair.

Their latest album, “Get Selfied”, is due for release soon and what better way for you to get hyped up than for me to tell you why they’re entertaining in so many words.

The album’s stand out single “The Last Call” is one you can’t ignore because of the chorus and how it pulls you out of your seat to jam along. If you’re having a tough time imagining that, watch the music video. There’s a heavy nod to the rock ‘n roll of AC/DC, especially with Vega’s flat cap and guitar playing in the style of Angus Young. Can you say “literal party tune”?

Tracks on the album contain lyrics alluding to getting in that one last party before you clock out for the night (“The Last Call”), being a rock star (“You’re Rock & Roll”) and even tongue-in-cheek commentary on social media (“Keyboard Warrior”, “Whiner Doll” and “Trending Topic”). To nit-pick: you can tell that English is not first language and it reflects in their lyrics, but ultimately that doesn’t distract from their music.

‘Get Selfied’ ranges from classic hard rock, glam rock to even a ballad number that even catches you in the feels.

Jacob A.M.’s vocals have a certain quality to them that make him sound like the younger brother of Kevin DuBrow (Quiet Riot): low enough to manage growl, but just enough to belt out machine-gun notes with a tone high enough to make Cheech & Chong jealous. You can almost hear the punkish smirk in his singing.

You can make comparisons to the greats such as Skid Row, Mötley Crüe or Warrant; StOp, sToP! are aware of their own image but play into it in their own way, such has making a head-hanging number out of contemporary observations on topics such as social media obsession and trolling on the internet. It should go beyond the “if you’re a fan of Steel Panther then listen to this band” mindset because each band should be measured on their own terms, and given a fair chance to show off their prowess. StOp sToP! have that panache in their own brand of rock & roll without it being overly silly. It’s uncomplicated, unserious and you’re soon to be under their spell.

‘Get Selfied’ is set to be released 15 April 2019 through Metalopolis Records.