BAD BUSINESS, originally formed in their native Denmark in 1988, only to disband in 1994, after only six years. The highlight of their existence through those first years was the recording of a four-song demo in 1994; on which, Pete Way of U.F.O. fame played bass. They split at the end of that year, and tried to reform with various lineups, unsuccessfully.

In 2016, they reformed with four of the five original members in place, to record what is their debut album, "Last Call For Rock 'n Roll", on their own label. The lone "new guy", drummer Soren Jensen, also serves as co-producer of the record.  What they have recorded is 58 minutes worth of straight forward, if not somewhat formulaic, Hard Rock/Heavy Metal that sounds like they never disbanded from the original run.

"Suicide City" opens the record on a high note. Musically, it brings to mind some of the heavier moments from the late Eighties L.A. scene. Screaming dual guitars and a solid bottom end hold everything together, and at times, I could imagine L.A. GUNS doing the song. It is an extremely strong tune. Following up is "Big Time", another heavy hitter, which is about the excesses of fame and fortune. The lyrical content, with the mentioning of "Mr. Brownstone" and "Rattlesnake Shake", call on the boys from GUNS N' ROSES and SKID ROW for answers I'm certain they won't get. It is, however, another heavy, driving track.

There are three ballads in place, "Ain't Playing Your Game", "Bum of the Town", and "Soldier's Tale", that all fit the mold of the Eighties Metal formula. They do all possess some very adult themed and socially aware lyrical content, and all three certainly have the musicality I came to expect from listening to the heavier tracks.

The sole cover song, and the biggest surprise I have had in a long time, closes out the album. In an extremely ambitious turn, these Danish rockers have decided to include EAGLES's "Hotel California", of course with the heavier tinged instrumentation and vocal, among their eleven originals. I'm not complaining, as it is a fresh take on the song. My one gripe is that they inexplicably slow the choruses to the pace of the original classic. I wish they had kept the harder edge. The guitar solos closing it out are phenomenal, however; so they get a pass.

All and all, I really liked the record. A little cheesy with the lyrics at times, but always very musical. If you're a fan of the late 1980's sound, give it a spin.