Tracklist:

1. Junkyard scene
2. Next girl in line
3. Ain't it a shame
4. Clown
5. Story Continues
6. Bastard Song
7. Gotta get out
8. You were right
9. It's alright
10. Tragedy

It's always easy to dismiss a band like Nasty Kixx as yet another rock band hailing from Sweden. Punkier than some of their earlier releases, Hometown Blues delivers an array of aggressive yet laid-back songs laced with keys. Junkyar Scene opens with their typical clean rock sound but the lack of melody let it down and I didn't find more prominent melodic material until Ain't It A Shame. Vocalist Trashcan Dan has a casual approach, giving the songs a roughening around the edges which helps to bring them alive I think. None in the first half really captured me straight away; I found the album rather relentlessly monotonous. I like the use of keyboards in this punk-pop mix and perhaps something for Rolling Stones' fans to get their teeth into. You Were Right gives the album a much-needed lift with strong power chords and aggressive harmonies in the backing vocals. It's Allright keeps up the pounding pace with regular vocalisation which is refreshing to hear. Tragedy is one of my favourite Hanoi Rocks songs so it was interesting to hear Nasty Kixx's take on it; I liked it. Wild but controlled and performed with that Michael Monroe-esque swagger, the harmonies work great as do the keyboards screaming in the breaks. Initially a let down, but a band to bear in mind if you like punk/pop with a little style and 80s influence.