Ted Nugent Sweden
Thursday, 09 April 2009 09:07 | 
Author: The Grouch | 
Growing up in Detroit, listening to Ted Nugent was a given. He epitomizes bad ass in your face rock and roll. I can remember hearing Stranglehold when I was a kid and being absolutely blown away. To this day I think that is one of the coolest licks in all rock and roll. To understand Ted Nugent you have to understand ATTITUDE - Uncle Ted as he is often called is loud, aggressive, in your face attitude incarnate, the thing is he is also really a very good musician so he can pull it off. If you have the attitude, but can't play you are an arrogant goof - think Sammy Hagar. Sammy has a special place in my heart for being a flaming butt hole - a long time ago I was talked into seeing Sammy at Joe Lewis Arena in Detroit. I wasn't really into his music, but I went only to find a falling down drunk on stage who couldn't remember what city he was in. If I can spend the money to see your show, you can at least have the courtesy to make it though the show without falling down and forgetting where you are. Sammy sucks. I digress.
Ted is a perfect example of the people I grew up around. Confident and confrontational with a penchant for LOUD blues based rock and roll The first time I saw Nugent he openly mocked Journey which I thought was pretty funny. This was in 1982 right after he had an accident in his Jeep. Where Sammy Hagar couldn't hold his liquor long enough to remember what city he was in, Nugent showed up with a black eye and all banged up from rolling his Jeep and still managed to blow the roof off for over two hours - Ted has a work ethic. I got my money's worth at that show.
Sweden Rocks' defining statement could be when the Motor city Madman proclaims "We bring you rock n' roll salutations, mother fuckers!" Ted is definitely in your face.
The album opens with Stormtroopin' - a massive assault on the senses by Ted's machine gun like guitar and enough raw energy to power all of New Zealand for a week.
Wango Tango - an old Nugent classic then onslaught is paused momentarily for Ted to yell " Yeah? Well No shit. How about a little dancing with Uncle Ted like in Downtown Detroit Baby." Then the guitar blast comes back at full force. Ted introduced members of this version of the band which include Mick Brown on Drums and Barry Sparks on Bass both from Dokken.
Snakeskin Cowboys - the guitar keeps coming. I've never quite understood this song. I think he is mocking "Urban" cowboys because they are fake cowboys. It's another shot from the bottle of lightning that is Ted Nugent.
Free For All - Another classic blast of insanity. The man can play. Its almost as if the song is entirely made up of phrases designed to do nothing except provide space for Ted to solo.
Wang Dang Sweet Pootang - Uncle Ted is a ladies man or as he put " Bend over and grab your ankles while Teddy takes over rover" At the end of the song the band slides into some 12 bar blues - in all honesty Nugent's musical ability shines on this track. Strip away all the bravado, all the outrageous lyrics and you have a talented musician. Then the blues interlude ends and we are back to Wang Dang Sweet Pootang
Raw Dogs & War Hogs - Ok this is kind of a lame song in that I find the repetition of the title over and over a bit lame. The guitar rocks as usual. The lyrics are a proclamation of Ted's right wing political views. No matter how you feel about his politics or unabashed patriotism (frankly I like his in your face moxie) the guitar on this song, surprise, JAMS. (OK kids my use of the word surprise was an attempt at irony.)
Soul Man - the old Motown song by Sam and Dave. I love this song and I like Nugent's version too.
Hey Baby - Blues based Jam - check this one out. Ted is great on this track. You got to love that guitar.
Dog Eat Dog - Fantastic!
Still Raising Hell - I'd never heard this one before. Standard music/lyrics/music/lyrics/solo/music/lyrics/music/lyrics/ - good song only because the guitar solo is cool.
Cat Scratch Fever - Another blast from the past with what might be Ted's best known lick. Ted is in his element and doing his thing its songs like this that made Scott Ian of Anthrax view Ted as his hero growing up. Check out the VH1 show Super Group.
Stranglehold - It doesn't get any more Ted than this. The song begins with Nugent saying this is the number one guitar lick in the world - I love it myself. The man is definitely self confident. The song is a killer groove that goes for 10:35. I got you in a stranglehold baby then I crushed your mother fucking face. Terrible Ted rips it up - the guitar solo is clean as opposed to on some other tracks where he makes use of feedback. I really like this song.
Great While Buffalo - at 9:16 another long track. The blast never stops. In this song Ted preaches to the world about the spiritual side of hunting and that we should practice responsible conservation, along the lines of Ducks Unlimited.
All in all I give this album 4 out of 5 scowls with the realization that unless you are already a Nugent fan you may be offended by Ted's language or ideas on hunting.