If Sleaze is your thing, trust me you want to get on this ASAP.

The second album from Finnish Sleaze Rockers Santa Cruz is actually self-titled, which may be a little confusing for people new to the band as self-titled albums tend to be debuts. I very much enjoyed their first outing, ('Screaming For Adrenaline') and I saw lots of promise in their Sleazy Rock 'n' Roll style. This album sees them push their song-writing forward into more commercial territory; it's less raw and they have a more polished and a louder, distinctive melodic edge.

Don't get me wrong, this is still full-on Sleaze with crunching guitars oozing rebellion and spitting attitude, but its far slicker and smoother. They have cranked up the harmonies and silky melodies and some of these tracks scream "radio hit gold". I found this album as a whole more instant and enjoyable than its predecessor, tracks like 'We Are The Ones To Fall' and 'Wasted And Wounded' quickly scored well with me and have received lots of repeat plays on my stereo.

It's an album full of adrenaline fuelled Rockers, lots of exciting energy and a rebellious spirit that will have fists pumping. The harmony drenched, melody heavy choruses are sure to make them a hit with that strong anthemic feel to them and I'm sure they'll get feet stomping and voices singing along in union; the vast majority of these songs have the potential to be killer live!

'Bonafide Heroes' and 'Velvet Rope' are rabble-rousing, pounding Sleaze with sing-along choruses and soaring harmony vocals that open the album with an enticing bang whilst 'My Remedy' has a quirky slant to it but it is still really infectious. The ballad – 'Can You Feel The Rain' – is the closing track and I think this was a wise move as it allows the contagious energy of the rest album to keep momentum. So this one slows things down but it doesn't see a dip in quality; in fact it is one of my stand out tracks with a delicate and beautiful melody that I find it very emotive and touching. It builds to an anthemic power ballad type chorus and I'm sure even the most hardcore Sleaze fans will be won over by the bands softer side.

It's a cracking album which is well worth cranking up and raising your voice to. If Sleaze is your thing, trust me you want to get on this ASAP!

Paul Woodward