Tracklist:
01 – Animal Attraction
02 – Speedin’
03 – Born To Break Your Heart
04 – Hot
05 – Fantasy
06 – Dirty Dreams
07 – Dance
08 – Fight
09 – Switchblade Babe
10 – On The Radio
11 – Coconuts
12 – Young N Crazy (UK Only Exclusive Bonus Track)

Like many, I was eagerly awaiting the 2^nd album of Finnish glam rockers Reckless Love. Unfortunately, I have to admit that I was disappointed on the first listen, especially given the high standard set by their debut album. This album definitely gets better the second time around and when I saw it performed live I enjoyed it a hell of a lot more; so give it a chance if, like me, you wanted to turn it off at the first sign of too much synthesiser and slightly absurd lyrics.

Opener Animal Attraction grew on me like the album itself and reminds you why these guys are as popular as they are; sing-a-long, anthem-like qualities paired with musical skill both vocally and instrumentally. I preferred the cleaner sound on Speedin', although to me it is one of the weaker tracks. Melodic Born to Break Your Heart is set to be a hit, especially with those who like their rock a little more sugar-coated. Hot is vibrant, lively and really highlights what this band are all about; fun! For me, the album begins to deteriorate here as it slides slowly into Fantasy, a track that never seemed to get off the ground. It was the off-beat, thumping rhythm on Dirty Dreams that won me back, despite the seemingly juvenile lyrics, but as a song, all parts are in perfect harmony. Dance was another weak spot I felt, though catchy, simply because it didn't have enough to define it from the other sugary tracks apart from a slightly smoother, slower rhythm which was an interesting change in the middle of the album. Fight highlights something I found hard to explain about the album; how Olli's voice sounded more strained and husky than on the previous album or even live; whether it's a deliberate effect or not, I felt it detracted from a quality that previously made the band for me. Switchblade Babe was nothing new while On The Radio returns us to the easy-listening, melodic sounds Reckless Love are so qualified to produce. I was split over the effect of Coconuts with its emphasis on improvisation and rhythm, which was refreshing, but the predictive chorus let it down. For those who didn't get the UK edition, you'll have missed a bonus track: Young N Crazy which is one of my favourite tracks on the album with heavier guitars, slightly more aggressive vocals and a lively chorus, perfect to finish on.

It's not a bad album, don't get me wrong. Perhaps I was expecting more after they had set the bar so high with their debut self-titled effort and their deserved burst into the mainstream glam scene. Guitarist Pepe mentioned this album showcases the band's best efforts to date, both song-writing and recording-wise. I can't say whether I'm too pleased to hear that and you definitely need a sweet-tooth for this record but that doesn't mean that these Finnish rockers don't have musicianship.