BOYSTOWN
“ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES”
(IronHorse Records)

Boystown is a rock band from New Jersey that was formed in 1987. As all the bands of that time period they were influenced by Bon Jovi, Survivor, Foreigner, Bruce Springsteen and Bryan Adams. “Angels With Dirty Faces” was originally released in 1989 and as you can imagine it went by unnoticed! Who would believe that after almost 16 years of its original release, Boywtown would re-release the album and the biggest part of the press would praise it? Really strange the way that music industry works... don’t you think? This album is one of those albums that I used to call lost diamonds and I totally mean it! We are talking about fantastic melodic hard rock/AOR music with catchy hooklines and nice orchestrations. It surely has that 80s feeling on its songs and it makes me feel nostalgic about that era.

The song that opens the album, “Something In The Way You Touch”, must have been a huge hit single back in the late 80s, but it’s never too late to get what it deserves. “House Of Glass” is a classic AOR mid-tempo song with nice keys and a very strong chorus. “Get Up” is a cool hard rock n’ roll tune that was also featured on the television show 21 Jump Street, as “I Need Shelter” did... which is a nice rocker track. “Boy Inside A Man” is another rocker in a row which has a Bon Jovi/Bryan Adams influence. “Oil & Water” is a huge ballad which has an excellent verse and a extraordinary chorus! It’s really hard to explain how I feel when I’m listening to this song... it must have some air play this time for sure! “Sure Thing” it’s another great ballad. It’s a touching love song and it will satisfy the lovers of Journey and Strangeways. “Stranger In My Bed” is a simple rock song and I must admit that it’s the most average song of the album. “Way Of The World” was released as a single back in 1989, and as you can imagine this is a terrific mid-tempo AOR song with nice melodies. One of the best songs of the album. The homonymous song of the album is a very good rocker with a nice melodious chorus. The re-issue has also a bonus track which is titled “Throw Your Hands Up” and was recorded live at the Orchard Grove Bar in 20/12/91... the song is good but it has a very bad sound.

If you are a big 80s hard rock, AOR, melodic rock fan then you ought to have this album ‘cause, it’s a must have for your album collection. We’re talking about a missing diamond that it can easily be found nowadays! According to the band a new album will be released in 2006 and we will be here waiting to listen to it and let’s cross our fingers that this time it will be the lucky time period of the band. Till then enjoy good music by listening to “Angels With Dirty Faces”.

by Thanos Aggelakis 8,5/10