If you knew nothing about this release except that the band is called Mennen and the album is called Freakazoid, no one could blame you for thinking that the effort is a throwback to the disco era. “We’re the dance band that also keeps your arm pits dry!” You’d be wrong about the deodorant thing---Mennen is named after lead singer Joss Mennen. But you’d pretty much be correct about the time frame. Mennen play a style of melodic hard rock (think Whitesnake, Rainbow, Dio, Scorpions) that had its big moment in the late ’70s and on through the ’80s. Mennen do not use keyboards or any fancy tricks on Freakazoid and have a surprisingly full sound for a four-piece; really a three-piece musically since Joss just sings. It’s really too bad that there isn’t much room on radio these days for this type of stuff because Mennen do it very well. Guitars sting, basses choogle, and lots of harmony vocals make it clear that Mennen want to be perceived as the good guys. The band has been honing their lovable image for over a decade and is very popular in their native Holland. There is no doubt that a sizable audience for Mennen awaits here in America too. Keep an ear open for this Dutch treat. 

• Visit the Official website.
• Listen to samples and Purchase this CD online

Fan Speak: