Predictability is underrated. There is something that hits the spot about songs doing what you want them to, when you want them to, when you know you can trust a band not to throw you a curve ball, but in the process spit out a bourbon flavoured selection that will tick all the boxes it needs to, and guarantee nothing but a good motherfucking time. It’s album seven, and you know what you’re getting from Josh Todd and the Buckcherry boys. The title, Rock n’ Roll (F-Bomb/Caroline) even confirms it.

Making their (makers) mark swigging from the bottles marked Guns n’ Roses, Love/Hate and Aerosmith this album really does what it says on the tin, as opener ‘Bring It On Back’ teases ‘Welcome To The Jungle’ before swaggering into aural view, Todd’s effortless trademark vocals planting the seed of a chorus that’ll take root and grow.

‘Tight Pants’ is this years tongue-in-bum, dick-tapping, ass-slapping, stuck-in-your-head as brassy as the parps that enhance the chorus rump-shaker; it’s bum-chum ‘Wish To Carry On’ brings an overwhelming desire to whap your arm-round your mate and sing along to the optimistic boogie-rock while ‘The Madness’ brings the 4/4 power-stomp, banging its head to Velvet Revolver. ‘Wood’ is as wood does; as simple and recognisable Aerosmith worship as it’s oh-so-obvious double-entendre lyrics (I’m not even sure they’re double meaning, pretty upfront, so to speak…), and when they slow things down, effortless flecking ‘The Feeling Never Dies’ and its jangly blues rock, the Black Crowes shuffle of ‘Rain Falling’ and ‘Crazy,’ with swathes Americana and sitting-on-the-porch hooks, the depths and changes of pace are welcome.

While ‘Crazy Bitch’ from 2005’s 15 (Universal/Eleven Seven) is the anthem that the band will forever be known for due to being the most infectious earworm of all time ever and their self-titled début (Dreamworks) will never be surpassed as Buckcherry’s go-to moments, Rock n’ Roll joins a growing repertoire of credible, worthwhile and fun rock albums that continues the legacy of yesteryear. There’s usually a reason the big boys are the big boys, and since reforming  a decade ago the ‘cherry have managed to keep their pecker up, and the Rock n’ Roll a-rollin’.

7.5/10

STEVE TOVEY