TOKYO MOTOR FIST – Lions (Album Review)

One-Two Punch Men*

Led by the singer of Danger Danger, vocalist Ted Poley and Trixter guitarist Steve Brown, Tokyo Motor Fist also has in its ranks Greg Smith (Rainbow, Alice Cooper) and Chuck Burgi (Rainbow, Blue Oyster Cult).

The supergroup of sorts is the wonderful mix of the best driving music ever.  They certainly nestle effortlessly on the monster CGCM Radio with other AOR greats such as Eclipse or Journey.

TOKYO MOTOR FIST – Lions

When I first heard of TMF, I imagined it would be pretty glam.  However, they are closer in spirit to Def Leppard than many of the Warrants etc.  This is due to the production, which sounds like they brought in Mutt Lange to supervise – no bad thing!

Lions roars out like the ultimate summer album it is.  Nothing jaw-dropping, but there is quality in every groove.  How it stands out from the crowd is its sheer melodious maelstrom.  There is nothing forced, it is organic and classy.

Tracks such as “Youngblood” and “Mean It” accompany you in visions of driving your top-down cruiser along Route 66.  You can almost hear the evening crickets and smell the sweet fires of late summer.  Don Henley‘s “Boys of Summer” evokes the same feeling of perfect harmony with the world.

One song that stands out is the title track, with Dennis De Young guesting.  This is a sombre sonnet to the state of the world in 2020.  A call to action while the world burns, it is a moving song for our times.  De Young‘s keyboard solo is a remarkable show of virtuosity and perfectly complements the backing.

You want a bit more grit?  No problem, grit aplenty on the next song “Decadence on 10th Street“.  Very much a channelling of prime time Extreme.

Final Fist Fight

2020 may be a pretty crappy year, but Tokyo Motor Fist‘s record puts a little sparkle back in.  Music is always a great anti-depressant for me and this one is like a shot of pure euphoria.

* For those who don’t know, this is a reference to the Manga comic book One Punch Man.  

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Coxy

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