Once upon a time in Los Angeles--during the infamous mid-'80s Guns N' Roses era--the City of Angels was spewing forth dirty, blues-influenced rock bands. Little Caesar, Junkyard, the Hangmen--even the names were redolent of dirty rock&roll, Harleys, and barroom brawls. A new breed of rebel rock has emerged in Buckcherry--sober, tattooed blues-metallers whose charismatic singer, Josh Todd, boasts a compelling Iggy Pop-Jim Morrison-Axl Rose persona. Buckcherry's 12-track debut album, produced by Terry Date (Pantera) with coproduction from former Sex Pistol Steve Jones, kicks off with the nasty, aggressive groove of "Lit Up." While the song is irresistible, many might have a problem with the "I love the cocaine" chorus. Still, Todd's persona works well with the band's aggro, melodic stomp, and with bands such as the Black Crowes, Nashville Pussy, and Honky Toast keeping barroom rock alive, Buckcherry are a ballsy and bold entry into the fray, as suited to share a stage with Hanoi Rocks as they would be with Motörhead.--Katherine Turman

5 Star No-Brainer. Halen's First, 'Back in Black,' 'Appetite'-caliber Classic.

Suggestion, though, for 'Fifteen,' their latest. Not entirely comfortable attaching my fake name to a 4 star Buck review ... and they wouldn't allow me a rereview. So I'm here, but you'll thank me.

To upgrade the 2005 release, import the disc and rearrange tracks in the following order:

1 = 1
2 = 11
3 = 7
4 = 2
5 = 4
6 = 5
7 = 8
8 = 10
9 = 12
10 = 3
11 = 9

Delete tracks 6 and 13, both unnecessary but forgivable mistakes. This is your 5 star throwback masterpiece--almost worth the ridiculous import cost. Seriously, album of the year ... long as that wacky Chinese 'Idol' kid doesn't sneak another one in on us.

I want credit for this.

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