Helix - Eat Sleep Rock (Album Review)

Eat Sleep Rock is a collection of unreleased songs from the vintage Canadian rock band Helix. A band that influenced a herd of other offspring including Poison, Motley Crue, Def Leppard and Twisted Sister. Born in the 70's, Helix has been at this for about 45 years. Lead vocalist Brian Vollmer is the only original member but the band itself has been largely in tact, on again and off again since the their 1980's hey day. Like every band from that era with a glam rock sound, Helix was destroyed by the 1990's but their fan base persists. This new group of songs is sure to delight fans of their no-nonsense, bluesy, glam rock attack. 

The band even provides a 7 minute history lesson of itself called "The Story of Helix". It's a funny rap spoken over a punkish rhythm guitar, complete with sound effects and nods to their glam rock roots. The album's title track might have been a monster 80's rock radio track. It's your basic rock and roll party anthem. The throwback nature to the record is not just in it's production, but it also permeates the lyrics. Rock is supposed to be about fun and letting loose. There are several other tracks that are radio ready. 

"Wrecking Ball" is a down and dirty shout and holler anthem with a wrecking ball size chorus and hook. There are some dark themes involving psychos, the devil and Frankenstein. These guys came of rock and roll age when Alice Cooper was budding as a crazy storyteller. There is definitely some of that influence here. The lyrics are supported with catchy, well produced melodies. "Even Jesus (Wasn't Loved In His Hometown) juxtaposes the devil and Frankenstein. It sounds like the band is a little miffed at the lack of hometown success. In all honesty this band should have been bigger in all of North America. Needless to say the song has an epic guitar solo and is definitely radio worthy. 

The band proceeds to sing about Bitters and Tequila in two songs that would work at certain adult night spots. In "Gene Simmons Says Rock Is Dead" Brian Vollmer says rock and roll didn't die of old age, it was murdered. A sentiment I concur with. The words of the song echo true and the band even designs a Kiss-like riff to deliver their sermon. 

Helix still wants to party. And let everyone know that there is still a band that does rock the old fashioned way. Overall this is a fun collection of glam-infused rock songs that sound familiar. Many of them were previously released but were hard to find. Helix is keeping rock alive, but they need reinforcements.

(Album Rating 9.3)