Italian band 17 CRASH hits hard with their fourth release "Stamina." Now, I had never heard of these guys, so this was indeed a cold listen. As such the first number/instrumental "A song for Ennio" called to mind a Sergio Leone soundtrack. I thought Old West, and Clint Eastwood's Man with No Name, but then they came out of that into "Higher," and I was smack dab in the 1980's hearing shades of '80's era "Turbo" JUDAS PRIEST meets something almost akin to STRYPER and that is even weird to type but did make me want to keep going to see what would come next.

Track number three, "My World," keeps the '80's party tracks going. Although I didn't care for it as much, I am getting what they are trying for and although it's definitely dated, is oddly fun as well. Likewise, "Soul," although a miss lyrically for me (with the Beavis & Butthead drop in), the music was still something you can just bring to a party and let play in the background and keep people happy.

The first cut I might make would be track number five, "Keep Yourself Alive". I was not a fan of either the lyrics or the music in this one. "Brand new Way" (track nine), would also suffer the same fate as there is already a better ballad on the album. Track number six, "In My Dreams," does the '80's ballad much better and although it's not going to make me forget "Home Sweet Home" or even "Don't Know What You've Got Till it's Gone," it certainly has the same structure, just not at that level. Definitely listenable though as the guitar work is above average in this, (and pretty much every), song on this release.

"Flashing Lights" gives us both some '80's effects, (with the little ten second intro to the song), heavy chugging guitar and a voice that really does fit that era. I would not have disliked seeing this kind of band open up for someone like THE SCORPIONS almost 40 years ago. It IS a dated musical style, but there will always be a market for it. "Danger Zone," (Track number ten) is much in the same vein as the others, although the Italian accent is more pronounced in this one than earlier numbers especially when Vasile sings in the lower register.

Admittedly, the Karate Kid drop in to begin the last song on the album "Strike First," was one I liked. This entire album was some well-produced background music for me. I wouldn't tell someone to turn it off, but I am also not looking forward to see when they are on tour in my area either.