Ted Nugent

"We bring you rock n' roll salutations, motherfuckers!" bellows Ted Nugent early on his latest live offering Sweden Rocks. The axe-slinging wild man brought more than just salutations to the cheering crowd. He was packing an aural neutron bomb of distortion and gain. It's hard not to eat that up, especially on CD. Of course, there's nothing like being there, that's why Sweden Rocks has also been released on DVD. However, for Nugent fans and newcomers, the CD serves up a healthy helping of bluesy guitar solos and rugged riff swagger.

From the second, the show kicks off with "Stormtroopin,'" it's evident that Ole Uncle Ted is out to win still. He rips through each lick without flubbing a note, and every string bend feels like a battle cry. "Wang Dang Sweet Poontang" features an extended solo, bound to make would-be Guitar Heroes cringe. "Wango Tango" channels a healthy dose of Detroit Soul through a filter of Tube amp distortion, and serves as the perfect representation of Ted's eclectic style. Sound quality is solid throughout the disc. There are some points where the vocals are a little low in the mix, but let's not forget, Ted's all about the raw, axe power and that comes through full force. Still, "Stranglehold" remains the standout. From the riffs to the leads, Ted nails it all, plowing through. "Cat Scratch Fever" maintains the original's flair, and the classic elicits some big cheers. If this release is any indication, the Ted Nugent tank is going to keep on rolling for a very long time. It's best to get behind it.

—Rick Florino
06.25.08