Yo! Listen up, youse guys! Dis here is da latest plate from da Step Kings, 3 tough-lookin' mooks from Noo Yawk who been crankin' out a rough and ready brand of rock for a few years now.

OK, OK, I won't torment you with any more cliché Bronx-speak but you do feel like talking that way when you listen to true blue collar tunes like those belted out by the Step Kings, Biohazard, Agnostic Front, et al. The tough guy act has never impressed me that much but it's the music that does the talking. And I gotta say, I like "3 the Hard Way" more than I thought I would. It's a lean and mean collection of hard-edged rock and roll. I hesitate to call it metal or hardcore because there's definitely a poppy edge to the material here. It would appeal to fans of Green Day or Offspring, but there are occasional real heavy parts Ala Biohazard to spice things up. Nu-metallers should enjoy the shouted semi-rap vocals and gang choruses along with the simple, beefy riffs. And there's some surprising melodies popping up also.

I can't say I go a bundle for this sort of approach but the Kings definitely keep it short and sweet and they mix up things enough to keep your interest. That's not a bad thing these days. So grab a holda dis one if youse is looking for real rock wit dat true New York style!

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2002 Year Book Volume 2 at  garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2001-and-2002.