Bad Touch’s Bittersweet Satisfaction: Polished Blast with Grit
British hard rockers Bad Touch came back in 2023 with “Bittersweet Satisfaction,” a sonic rollercoaster that blends classic revival and modern gloss.
This ain’t your grandpa’s dusty record player, though. These ten tracks bridge the gap between raw and polished, like a biker in a tailored leather jacket.
From the opening riff of “Slip Away,” you’re hit with echoes of Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin.
Not just homage, it’s a full-throated shout-out to rock’s heavyweights. Tracks like “This Life” and the title track keep the adrenaline pumping, channeling the swagger of AC/DC and Sammy Hagar’s Van Halen.
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But Bad Touch don’t just worship at the altar of classic rock.
“Spend My Days” takes a detour into pop rock territory, its melody sweet and infectious.
Even the energizing “Nothing Wrong With That” throws in a touch of Alice Cooper theatricality, while the closing “Come Back Again” finds them channeling southern rock giants like Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Black Crowes.
The production is slick and crisp, every instrument polished to a gleaming shine.
This clarity comes at a cost, though.
Sometimes the shine outshines the grit, the music losing a bit of its raw edge.
The pop-infused choruses might not always land as catchy as they aim to be, and the overall sheen can dampen the band’s natural blue-collar energy.
Despite these stumbles, “Bittersweet Satisfaction” is a solid addition to Bad Touch’s discography.
It’s an experiment in accessibility, a polished gem cut from their hard rock heart. Rock fans of all stripes will find something to enjoy in this energetic ode to classic sounds with a modern twist.
Just remember, sometimes even the smoothest biker needs a bit of road dust under his boots.
Reviews:
“From start to finish, there’s not a single moment where you’ll find yourself bored or losing interest. Opening track Slip Away is a good indicator of what’s to come as it begins with fast guitar before the full band kicks into a solid rock ‘n’ roll song. ” – Distorted Sound
“They’ve always had the gift of writing songs that sound like they should be hit singles. ‘Spend My Days’ is the sort of thing you wish Bon Jovi would do instead of boring everyone senseless, and it’s not the only one you imagine would sound brilliant belting out in a festival field. “
“Bad Touch have been churning out their bluesy, working-class brand of hard rock since 2010, increasingly establishing themselves as a recognizable force in the scene. With Bittersweet Satisfaction, the group adds big-sized, pop-infused choruses to their rough-edged sound in an effort to reach wider audiences. ” – Blues Rock Review
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