All American Nightmare

Universal Republic

Rs 600,rating:

Hinder is no stranger to change,and All American Nightmare proves just that. It was way back in 2004 that we woke up to a song called Lips of an angel,and the realisation that this band from Oklahoma could roll a mean rock. Six years later,Hinders here again,and it is not mourning old flames anymore; now its all about sex,drugs and the darker side of music.

Two sides of me,with its depiction of a desperado with a devil-may-care attitude,sets the mood for the album that there wouldnt be anything remotely soppy about what is to follow. The title song follows in the same vein,both lyrics and music merciless in its admission that Im red-white-blue tattooed and just dont care,Im the all-American nightmare.

The album starts on a heavy note,with guitars and drums providing apt accompaniment to lyrics that speak of recklessness,heroin trips and old girlfriends. Sobriety sets in halfway through the album with a track that asks,What ya gonna do when the whiskey aint working no more?,and keeps you there awhile until,hell,its time for Waking up the devil!

The 10-track album has everything a true-blue rock lover would like,including a number that takes on guitar-less music Hey-ho,a token rock lament Everybodys wrong and a truly foot-tapping nostalgia piece Put the record on. Highly recommended.