Lesli Sanders: Lead Vocals, Guitars

Phil Soussan: Bass, Piano, Mandolin, Percussion, Backing Vocals

Wayne Stokely: Drums, Backing Vocals

Tchad Drats: Guitar, Ebow, Backing Vocals

G.G. Guitar, Backing Vocals

Terry Bratsch, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Steel, Backing Vocals

Released October 25.

Toronto, Canada (October 25, 2024) West Coast-based glam punk ‘n’ rollers Prophets of Addiction have released their new album “Face the Music” through BraveWords Records. Lead singer Lesli Sanders says on the early response to the album and first single, “So far the reviews have been very positive and have really focused in on and taken notice of the lyric writing. Something I take great pride in as I feel it is a dying art.”

“Face the Music,”  the band’s debut for Bravewords Records, was recorded between 2022 and 2023 in Seattle, WA and Las Vegas, NV and produced, mixed and mastered by Phil Soussan (bass player for Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol and more). 

Drummer Wayne Stokely says of the album, “We wanted to make a classic 70’s style rock n’ roll album without losing our raw and punky vibe, but with a modern 2024 production. There’s not a lot of records out there like this one, so I think we achieved our goal. The songs speak for themselves,” while Sanders adds, “This is the record I have been wanting to record for years. The feel is right, the musicianship is right, the songs are right and now the time is right for you all to give us your thoughts.”

As I sink into the sofa to listen to this album for the review, I do wonder if I should be driving as I listen. I find rock works best when you are hitting the highway, jazz when you are unwinding with the electric blanket and sofa and country when I’m in the shower! But each to their own, of course. This is a band that has been around a while; this is their fourth album, but it has the freshness of a band refining their talent and making new waves.

Face the Music track listing:

“Flavour of the Danger” is good time rock n’roll; it is melodic rock, aka Cinderella “Shake Me” territory. Some decent guitar breaks and a catchy chorus; I thought the drums were a little low in the mix.

“Let’s Get High” delivers a bigger drum sound that I approve of (lol). I would describe this as driving music for the open road. It is one for those commercial rock stations and has an easy, catchy beat. 

“Slippin’ Away” is a rock ballad; it took me into an eighties MTV sound. It was lyrically well-crafted and there were a range of instruments on show, adding to the depth of the rack; it’s a musically interesting number. 

“Walk the World” is a little stellar moment! We enter Billy Idol territory here. It’s one of the more straight-down-the-line rockers with a big nod to the glam rock sound. 

“Maggie May” is a cover of Rod Stewart and Martin Quittenton’s classic, done with an acidic rock twist. It is an interesting take on the track and the band delivers a gutsy rendition, keeping faith with the original and showing their love of the track while giving it a new edge.

“Superhero” was the single from the album. It is a crisp piece of radio rock for 2024, plenty to sing along to or air guitar your way. It is one of those tracks that was made for that “Guitar Hero.” game. 

“I Want You to Know” rolls a bit of thunder and has a punk sleaze edge to it. I liked his one, as it has a bit of attitude and a strongly delivered riff. I will go so far as to note it is my favourite on the album so far. 

“Hollywood” moves into country rock ballad, and I will nod towards how this is now an album where every track merges into the next. They do deliver a different feel as you listen. This one lyrically turns towards the murky side of Hollywood’s demons. I liked the background harmony vocals.

“Wasted Tears” is one of those teen-style glam rock tracks. I’m sure it would blast along live; on the album, I was fine with it but didn’t connect as I had with a couple of the earlier tracks.

“Last One in the Bar,” an ode to alcohol, is a southern-style rock number, a touch of country again, and a solid rhythm. I quickly picked up the hooks and the chorus; it’s well crafted, a good song. 

“Take Me to Your Leader” ends with some pacey rock n’roll. It retains a party feel to finish things off.

In summary, this was an album I grew into. At first I was fine with it, but it wasn’t grabbing me. But by the time I reached “Walk the World,” I was happy, and by the time I got to “I Want You to Know,” I was really pleased to be listening to the album. If you like bands like Poison, Cinderella and so forth; if you like a band who struts their stuff with solid musical craftsmanship and songwriting, then this one will be for you.

Standout tracks: “Superhero,” “I Want You to Know,” and “Last One in the Bar.”

As a finishing point, to keep us improving the magazine, we really do need your support, and if you can go to the “support us” button and buy us a coffee or follow us, it helps us feel appreciated and keep improving the magazine. On reviews, we do listen to the albums; we comment on all songs and work hard for you. We do not, as many others do, settle for copying and pasting a press review.

You can stream the album from here

By Anna-Louise Burgess.