I must admit, this is my first introduction to the Australian Theatrical Glam Warriors CROSSON.

The brain child of vocalist, lyricist, guitarist, and producer Jason Crosson. With the release of their sixth full length studio album "Ready, Aim...Rock!!!" on September 9, 2022. Exploding onto the international rock scene with the 2016 release of "Spreading the Rock N Roll Disease". Upon researching the band, I observed their look evolved from ADAM ANT to GOTH to the current mix of STEEL PANTHER meets Las Vegas Lounge band complete with dancing showgirls. Providing musical humor while dressing glamorously with a swaggering attitude and an outrageous choreographed live stage show. The album cover has a kick-ass design and delivers three video's blending horror movie settings and a comedic love story. Once again mixed by legendary U.S engineer/producer Duane Baron (OZZY OSBOURNE, MOTLEY CRUE, ALICE COPPER, POISON) and mastered by U.S mastering giant Dave Donnelly (AEROSMITH, KISS, WHITESNAKE). With all the bands mentioned in this review so far, so, I am expecting nothing less than to be totally entertained and "wowed" as I drop the needle down, hoping they are not just another pretty face.

Well, I got my ticket to the "Glam/Sleaze Circus", let's go in. Welcome ladies and gentlemen, step inside, the show is starting, with "United", a nice, ear-friendly keyboard and tempo combo transitions to pleasant harmonies, as the vocals enter catching me slightly off guard, they were crunchy and lacked the high energy I was expecting. The riffs were good and a solid, and a brief guitar solo almost saved this song. On to track two with "Stop Pretending that you Love Me", deep vocal layering greets me with soothing riffs and a "pop" chorus. The lyrics are simple and cheesy, "My emotions are running wild, you've got me moving like a child, two steps forward, one step back" A good rocker "Fallen from Grace" peppered with heavy riffs and a gutty solo mixed in with dark vocals over rocking harmonies that give a great "touch of evil" sound. Hopefully they will follow the blueprint of this song moving forward. They tried, they really tried, with the title track "Ready, Aim, Rock", pretty heavy riffs and tempo backed by a nice textured guitar solos that pulsate throughout the song, providing a "rock anthem" feel and sound.

Borrowing the line from Seinfeld, "it's not you, it's me". That's how I feel about my first taste of CROSSON. Maybe I expected too much, I was thinking a poor man's version of KISS, but I think I got the later years David Lee Roth. There's enough to like, just not love. They have some of the best pleasant vocal harmonies I've heard in a while, the riffs and hooks have some staying power, and the keyboards are stellar, but again, "it's me", the lead vocals were missing energy and pizzazz for all the hype. I wasn't even bothered by the unintelligent lyrics, hey, it's rock and roll, they don't always have to be mind-altering or life changing. They are worth a look-see, so If you want to check out the band in their full glory, watch "The Video Live at the Orpheum, Sydney".