Josh Todd – lead vocals

Keith Nelson – lead guitar, backing vocals

Stevie D. – rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Jimmy Ashhurst – bass guitar, backing vocals

Xavier Muriel – drums, percussion

            Just 2 years ago a band from Los Angeles gave their careers a second chance after getting killed by critics and splitting up. It all began with the hit “Lit Up” back in 1999, that did just that on radio stations all across the nation. It propelled the album to Gold status while their second effort was murdered by critics. After a couple of ideas and moments front man Josh Todd and lead guitarist Keith Nelson got back together along with the current lineup and came storming back with the album 15 and the singles “Crazy Bitch” and “Sorry.” The album went platinum soon after. After touring for a few years and hitting a spot on the Crue Fest. The newest attention to the Buckcherry discography is the album Black Butterfly which hit stores back in September of ’08. The album begins with the third single “Resume Me.” It begins the album on a high note as it’s an upbeat track with great vocals and awesome music. Its easy to see that unlike the first time around when the second album didn’t live up to the hype of the first, Black Butterfly will follow in 15’s footsteps of success. “Rescue Me” is a hard hitting track with a little zest of attitude and reaching out to party scene. “Tire of You” offers up a really great set of lyrics with that Buckcherry attitude of “I don’t give a fuck.” The guitar solo during the tune is splendid while the vocals will grab you and slap you around. Lead single “Too Drunk…” displays the “who fucking cares, I doing it anyways” tone that many of the bands tracks represent. Where they get their lyrics are beyond me, but they flow out of Todd’s mouth just like melted snow flows out of the Rockies. Lines like “I've got so many women comin' after me, I put some pussy on layaway” and “young and dumb and full of cum with a sugar-loaded candy-cane” they had to be completely wasted when they wrote them, but some of the best music was written like that. “Dreams” is the first slow track of the album. A flashback to the song “Everything” off of 15, with a great performance from Todd and a sure hit sooner or later. “Talk To Me” picks the pace of the album back up with a catchy musical effort, but not much else. The track repeats a bit too much and lacks a significant punch to it. I don’t think it goes anyway but on this album. “A Child Called “It”” rounds out the first half of the album with a very catchy track, as most of their songs are, with a story layered base to the lyrics and smooth music. “Don’t Go Away” is another slow track that features another great vocal performance from Todd. The best of the slower songs off the album and may very well be the best slower track that Buckcherry as produced in their careers. To me its much better than the hits “Everything” and “Sorry” off of 15. “Fallout” kicks back into high gear with raging guitars, pounding drums, and the party theme as “Rose” heads back to the slower side of things with a great set of lyrics. A semi-love song that states: “You’re as pretty as a rose I can’t live without you.” “All Of Me” is a quirky sounding track that is not typical of the band. Its nice to hear something different from a band that sticks to their guns most of the time. it’s a fun track and I’m sure they had fun with it, just goofing off while making it. “Imminent Bail Out” opens with guitar pick and quickly adds in a blast off drums. It reminds me a little of some Green Day songs, but takes it to the next level adding their own flavor into the mix. Its one of the hardest of the album and you’ll love it! Defiantly some live potential here. The albums final cut is “Cream” which really could have been left off the album. The track doesn’t do it for me with just some stand out drums. Overall this is a great follow-up record to 15. It keeps the ball rolling with a great mix of hard and slower rock songs. You can tell they were having fun making this album. The attitude of the songs is perfect for Buckcherry and I personally can’t wait to hear some of these songs live. You do however, need a few times through for the album to hit you. If you are a fan of the band you will want to get this album as soon as possible!

Rating: 8 out of 10

My favorite tracks:

Rescue Me, Too Drunk, A Child Called “It”, Don’t Go Away, Imminent Bail Out

Track List:

1.      Rescue Me

2.      Tired of You

3.      Too Drunk...

4.      Dreams

5.      Talk to Me

6.      A Child Called "It"

7.      Don't Go Away

8.      Fallout

9.      Rose

10.  All of Me

11.  Imminent Bail Out

12.  Cream