Review Summary: Less Glam, more Goth, still sleazy.
In 2009 The 69 Eyes released
Back in Blood, which was a pivotal point in their career that could potentially ruin the band’s credibility. It’s bad enough they have one too many connections with Bam Margera, but the approach of a sound that has more reminiscences of the 1980’s glam scene with more Gothic cheese was dragging their potential as an influential force. During the summer of 2012, the band took the measures of describing their up-and-coming effort,
X, as their most “darkest” material to date. In regards to that statement and their overall tone that fuses both Goth-rock and glam metal, it’s not saying much nor will it have the intended impact.
Fortunately for them, their description of the album holds its own. Yes, the album does have a broader use of Goth-rock influences, but it also has their well known sleazy moments complimented by their usual guilty-as-sin choruses. In essence, they really haven’t changed, except the use of a “darker” atmosphere. Again, it’s not saying much. If you’ve heard one album then you’ve heard them all. For instance the lyrics in “Black” sing as
“I want you back - in black” has virtually the same lyrics as their song “Back in Blood” off of their 2009 album. Little details such as this just prove that The 69 Eyes are a guilty pleasure on all standards. As a guilty pleasure it’s a very subjective point of view to determine if
X is a great album or not. If you love the band then you’re going to love
X, but if you hate them it’s obvious that they’re not worth your time.
