Music Review: Casablanca - "Apocalyptic Youth"

What happened to all those kick ass, straight on rock n roll bands that I loved so much back in the 80's? Bands like Hanoi Rocks, Kix and Rose Tattoo? Well, outside of Kix, they all seemed to only exist in Europe. Well, thanks to the internet I've found a new band that brings back all that excitement and stellar music that made me feel like I could take on the world as a young man. The band is called Casablanca and their new album "Apocalyptic Youth" is so full of power and passion, it brings me back to 1985 again.

The album Opens with "The Juggler", a track very reminiscent of late 70's style rock. Not super heavy, per se,  but heavy on emotion. It's a clean song in the way that it's not all distorted guitars and over the top lyrical content. But, it's got a good groove and some wicked guitar licks. Personally, I would have put this track somewhere in the middle because on first listen you're gonna think this is the template for the album...and it's NOT! Not even close.

Things really pick up with "Secret Agents Of Lust". THIS is a rocking tune that's got the killer back up vocals and big power chord riffs that make this style of music so enjoyable. I can't say enough good about this tune. It's retro, but at the same time very much a modern day rocker. Not many bands can pull that off, but Casablanca can! And they do it well.

"Downtown" is a modern day anthem about lighting up the night, hitting up a rock show and maybe finding love along the way. Big on harmonies and super catchy in it approach, it just grabs you right from the start and never lets you go until the final guitar strings are hit. This could be a big hit here in the states, if we still played REAL rock n roll on the radio here. Sorry but Daughtry and 3 Doors Down are NOT real rock bands! Just some 3rd rate posers who think they rock.


The band hails from Stockholm Sweden and consists of singer Ander Ljung, guitar duo Ryan Roxie (of Roxie 77) and Erik Stenemo, bassist Mats Rubarth and drummer Josephine Forsman. These 5 write some amazingly wicked songs full of hooks and big choruses that will have you singing along and cranking this album at full volume at all hours of the day and night. It's just so infectious and bombastic you can't help but wanna rock out to it. I love good, thick solid riffs and this album has that and more.

"Apocalyptic Youth" may not be groundbreaking like "Nevermind" or Sabbath's first album. But it's still a solid album by a great up and coming band. I truly enjoy what Casablanca are doing to save this dying breed of REAL rockers. So, to sum up "Apocalyptic Youth", it's just a great rock n roll record, plain and simple. And that's good enough for me. Mick Jagger said it best..."I know it's only rock n roll....but I like it!"

4 ½ / 5 stars