Upon glancing at things I’ve missed this month and last month, I saw a name I didn’t expect to see. Buckcherry, is a band I honestly had no clue was still together. They did have a small hiatus from 2002-2004, but yeah I just haven’t heard anything from them since Crazy Bitch, which was released after the short hiatus. So yeah, even though that was a staple song on my Myspace back in the day; I completely lost track of these guys.

Sufficed to say, I’m a little intrigued to see what they’re up to in 2023. Their music always had that vibe of Guns & Roses mixed with Motley Crue and maybe a dash more frat party than even those two usually bring. With everything I’ve been dealing with, I could use a little unabashed good times and fun songs just to rock out to.

• Artist: Buckcherry
• Album: Vol. 10 (2023)
• Label: Round Hill Records
• Total Track Time: 36:57

Oddly enough, I expressed a desire to just have a good time, and the second song of this album is titled Good Time. That’s either serendipitous, or setting up for disappointment. The first few songs really remind me of New Tattoo era Motley Crue. Which is very true to their older sound, and I could totally see these songs at a bar with people just vibing and enjoying themselves. The interesting aspect of this album, is when they steer into Glam Rock or Alt Hard Rock, the songs have a totally different feel. It doesn’t feel disjointed thankfully, but it does force you to take a beat to ease into the song.

Some of the songs do start to feel a little…’samey’, and by that I mean just the reusing of concepts like feeling like your high, and flying or driving fast are a little too prevalent. When I was anticipating irreverent good times songs, it could’ve been a plethora of things. It doesn’t have to just be high speed drug ninjas…or whatever a few of these songs are describing. Actually, if it was ninjas high on speed or something…that would be an entertaining concept at least. Just entirely too much wild joy ride concepts with no fun change of pace. Most of the changes slow down for an out of place ballad and a somber piano song, akin to an Oasis, which sticks out weird; plus the fact its the last original song before their Bryan Adams cover, is a bad choice to end the album on.

1. Shine Your Light – 3:25

Is an up tempo song about wanting to spend time with someone. With imagery of leaving your past behind and wanting to go with them so their light can break through, its easily the best song musically and lyrically on the album. It manages to have a fun arrangement, lyrics that are cute but not so deep to ruin the mood and an uplifting message for people who enjoy the lyrics. Very good song.

2. One and Only – 3:14

This starts a little mid tempo but then picks up and is just generally about overcoming something. Being left for dead or hung out to dry and finding ways to get through it. So it highlights a lot of concepts that society has magnified with blame, misleading information and general confusion. The song doesn’t really provide insight, or a rallying cry, but putting it all there is almost like tempting someone to do something about what’s going on. Maybe not a rally cry, but could definitely be enough to goad a response.

3. Good Time – 2:52

So this is everything I described as samey, with songs of just dancing, driving, drugs, and a good time. However, its only the second song, so nothing wore out its welcome by this point. Plus its a wonderful guitar driven track with some nice little lead fills and interesting noodles. It is the prototypical good time track, which makes the name perfect. Thus, when it checks every box for the cliche, but hits it out of the park, I can’t really take points away. Great form, nice execution, perfect follow through.

They remained fairly true to their sound, but admittedly, some songs sounded like they were trying entirely too hard. Let’s Get Wild was such a cookie cutter 80s glam rock kind of song, that I zoned out and actively started hating it. Feels Like Love also feels like the lame ballad record companies would force on metal bands. I didn’t know White Lion showed up masquerading as Buckcherry. Also, not a fan of their Summer of ’69 cover. The small adjustments they made to it, added nothing and if anything, made it harder to listen to. Not nearly as good as their Jungle Love cover.

Aside from those 3 glaring problem songs and poor choice of final original song, the album met most baseline expectations for me. It won’t blow anyone away, but if you were a fan of Buckcherry, it sounds like Buckcherry for the most part.

Final Judgment: 5.65/10