Review by Damien Doherty for MPM
Released on 24th February, On the Prowl is the sixth studio album from LA rockers Steel Panther. Well known for their glam metal style and raucous live performances, the band consists of virtuosic musicians Satchel, Stix Zandinia, and Spyder, fronted by the charismatic lead singer Michael Starr, think Toto of the current era.
This album delves into both time-honoured themes of love and loss, as well as enlightening social commentary on some salient issues of modern times.
Commencing with a synth riff straight out of 1985, the opening track Never Too Late soon kicks into high gear and the romantic among us are reminded that if you don’t give up then love can still be found at the end of the night, bless them.
In a world of suspect social media, the band sagaciously highlight the issue of catfishing on the track On Your Instagram, and Sleeping on the Rollaway’s introductory verse deals with the touchy subject of paying for online “services”. How perceptive!
Issues of male insecurities and inadequacies are addressed sensitively on the tracks Is My Dick Enough, One Pump Chump, and Ain’t Dead Yet, while Pornstar is a tale as old as time itself. Deciding between two paths in life, our protagonist could have had it all; a fulfilling career, plaudits and awards, yet she threw it all away to become an engineer, teacher, maybe an architect.
Oh the humanity! Meanwhile Teleporter recounts the embarrassing situations of youth, sure we’ve all been there.
Sage financial advice is offered freely in Put My Money Where Your Mouth Is, the group stressing the risks involved in cryptocurrencies, stocks and shares and advising a more sound investment path. Who can argue with that!
Standout track for me is 1987, a reflection on the glam metal influences of the band giving nods to G‘n’R, David Coverdale, Ozzy, Van Halen, etc.
Rifftastic guitars backed with powerful drumming and thumping bass, all in all this is another consistently rockin’ album from the virtuous 4 piece, role models to the young and old alike. Huzzah!
ON THE PROWL: TRACKLIST
1) Never Too Late (To Get Some Pu**y Tonight)
2) Friends With Benefits
3) On Your Instagram
4) Put My Money Where Your Mouth Is
5) 1987
6) Teleporter
7) Is My D**k Enough (feat. Dweezil Zappa)
8) Magical Vagina
9) All That And More
10) One Pump Chump
11) Pornstar
12) Ain’t Dead Yet
13) Sleeping On The Rollaway
For more information, go to steelpantherrocks.com.
