I can't lie.  When I clicked play on "Sorry To Disappoint Ya" from St. Louis, Missouri's classic rockers WILL THE THRILL, I seriously said to myself "Let's hope the title's not an indication of the music."  I can honestly say that it wasn't...at least not for me.  I'm a bit older (32 as of March), and I grew up listening to bands like Mötley Crüe, Guns n' Roses, and KISS, so after about three tracks, I can tip my hat to them and mean it. That said, most of the rockers who were brought up on the aforementioned bands in their heydays do not make up the vast majority of the scene today. In fact, it's the KIDS of those balding, overweight, middle-aged rockers-at-heart that really make up this scene...and they are NOT interested in listening to this anymore than they're interested in being tortured by their dads as they drive them to school blaring DEF LEPPARD at full blast with the windows down.

It's a great effort, don't get me wrong.  WILL THE THRILL has done his homework, and assembled a band of talented musicians.  The guitar riffs and solos from Will alone are enough to truly respect the band.  Kids don't really do that stuff anymore.  I've been in plenty of bands where the moment someone on guitar busts out with that unforgettable solo from "November Rain", everyone just looks at them with disgusted faces, no matter how accurately it was played.  It's sad, but true (pun intended).  The band's opening track "I Don't Answer To You" would be great in a classic 80's high school movie starring Patrick Swayze and directed by John Hughes, or even a skateboarding video showing Tony Hawk's skills, but it just doesn't resonate with the younger generation.  To them, it's old hat, bargain bin, 1980s "cock rock".  It's a shame because if those kids really gave this record a chance, they'd hear so much of their own music in it.  It's not boring and old fashioned, it's retro, vintage, and full of musicianship.

Okay, so I'm probably not being fair.  There are some younger kids out there who could and would appreciate this.  Anything's possible.  Once working as a music seller, I remember a Black kid no older than 7 coming up to the register, looking up at me with hopeful eyes and asking the most beautiful question anyone has ever posed to me:

"Do you have any Miles Davis?"  I'm literally getting teary-eyed as I type this.

There are kids out there who will listen to this record and go "Oh, this is kind of like the audio tapes my dad gave me", and that'll be COOL to them. They're appreciate ballads like "Someday", not because it reminds them of lazy school days spent smoking in the boy's room or playing "Hey Mister" outside of a convenience store, but because it's an echo of a time they only hear about.  They'll try to learn Will's well-written solos, and while they're skating in their neighbor's parking lot much to his disapproval, they'll be rocking out to awesomely power tracks like "Say Goodbye".  They'll GET it, but honestly, the majority of kids their age will not.  It'll pass right over their heads.

"Sorry To Disappoint Ya" is ANYTHING but a disappointment.  Well written classic tracks, amazing guitar work, and vocals right on par with some of the greats like Gene Simmons or Sebastian Bach.  It probably won't resonate with teens today, but it DESERVES a play through from everyone, young and old alike. Just don't be surprised if your dad bursts into your room with a red bandana tied around his head, air-guitaring and singing along.