Christian Shields, the man, was clearly born in the wrong era. His music is more suited to the heady days of the 80's among MOTLEY CRUE, POISON, and DEF LEPPARD than here in the year 2020. Self-described as "Party Rock" - Arena Rock or Hair Metal would also be an apt descriptor - he hails from Warwick, Rhode Island but re-located to Austin, Texas in 2016 at the behest of a producer who convinced him to continue with music after playing in several bands, not getting anywhere and resigning himself to getting a day job in 2015. Performing over 300 shows in the US with some he created himself (DREAMER, SHIELDS) and operating for many other such as HAWTHORN HEIGHTS, CANDLEBOX, SAVING ABEL, SALIVA, JOHN 5, HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD, ALL THAT REMAINS, JACKYL and numerous others he clearly has the clout and experience to go out on his own. This seems to be Shields second attempt at a solo career after a split with previous outfit SHIELDS as a band. Producer/engineer Kevin "131" Gutterez was the producer to bring him down to Texas and with his help, released "This is Rock 'N' Roll" in March 2020 at another bid at a solo career.

Pure good times are the attempt with this record. Party Rock is a perfectly accurate name for Shields brand of hard rock but to me, it unfortunately reminds me of the horribly insipid "Party Rock Anthem" by now defunct group LMFAO that swarmed the airwaves in early 2011. Shields' is thankfully nothing like it. Much of the track list may have already been released on previous band SHIELDS' self-titled 2014 EP but I could find no complete track list of that album as that band's internet presence seems to have been scrubbed from the internet. At the least "Raise 'Em Up", "Can't Get Enough", "By the Strings" and "Off the Track" seem like holdovers from it but they fit so perfectly here you would never have known. "By the Strings" is perfect 80's power ballad, "Can't Get Enough" showcases Shields' amazing guitar skills with a VAN HALEN style solo, "Raise 'Em Up" has rollickingly catchy and fun chorus, and "Off the Track" closes the album with an anthemic, fist-pumping, infectious ender that leaves you wanting more. Even lead single and title track "Rock 'N' Roll" is more AC/DC in style but could stand up with any of DEF LEPPARD's lead singles.

The one gripe many people may have is the vocal style. Sounding like Axel Rose after drinking a bit too much tequila - heavily distorted yet having no problem hitting the high notes and there are plenty of those. Mixing and mastering is even better than you would get in the 80's too, slick modern production make this a much more attractive package. If you long for the heavy rock heyday of the late 80's to the early 90's, you would be getting an excellent throwback treat here.