Buckcherry: Time Bomb : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

Buckcherry make no secret of their roots. The Los Angeles quintet cranks out a compelling combo of juicy riffs and unassuming hooks driven by down and dirty backseat rhythms that clearly echo AC/DC. Singer Josh Todd snarls and rants with saucy panache that falls somewhere between Bon Scott and the Black Crowes' Chris Robinson. The most potent numbers on the band's second effort are raunchy and unruly -- "Time Bomb" detonates like a "Bitch"-era Stones piece and "Porno Star" sounds like a Celebrity Death Match challenge only Nashville Pussy could answer. The album also packs a plethora of subtler rock and pop components. "Underneath" is a grimy-sweet song about true love that hearkens back to the Replacements, while the poppy punch behind "Place in the Sun" smacks of Cheap Trick. A couple tracks, like "Without You," prove Buckcherry capable of softer sentiments -- but these boys are at their best when they're being bad. (SANDY MASUO)