by Derric Miller
— Managing Editor —
Midnite City is dependable. Yeah, that’s right … dependable. Other reviews may use words/descriptors like bombastic, party anthems, rockin’, ’80s glam, sleaze rock, kick ass, etc. Those are all true. But the real truism, as they’ve proven on their latest release, you can depend on Midnite City to give you the best music in its genre today.
Starting off Itch You Can’t Scratch is “Crawlin’ in the Dirt”. It’s a burner, and a little more angry than you are used to from the gents. Of course, it has the top-notch backing vocals and addictive chorus. A welcome intro to the album.
“Fire Inside” is a bit more like you are used to. If you’ve been with Wylde since his Teenage Casket Company, Sins of America, etc. days, you notice he keeps improving as a vocalist. You’ll hear it again. His tone is spot-on, he has a rich vocal style, and you are the benefactor.
“I Don’t Need Another Heartache” is another radio-friendly rocker, more keyboard heavy than most of the other songs, and again the vocals on the chorus never cease to impress. If they’d cross the ocean to America, they’d find an audience drooling for their music. That ain’t happening anytime soon last time Hardrock Haven asked Wylde, though.
They hit you with a mid-tempo ballad on “If It’s Over …” Lyrically, it’s a little more “woe is me” than most of their new songs, and vocally, one of the strongest.
This version closes with a bonus track, “Girls of Tokyo.” It used to be a bit of a slight to say, “but we’re big in Japan!” Those days are gone; being huge anywhere is a win. And Midnite City is beloved in Japan, so good on them for giving the ladies a shout-out.
Itch You Can’t Scratch is just a complete album. The stellar keys, the guitar solos, the single and gang vocals, drumming, songwriting … it’s something listeners have come to expect from Midnite City, and they never let you down. That’s what being “dependable” means …
Genre: Hard Rock
Band:
Rob Wylde-vocals, guitar
Miles Meakin-guitar
Shawn Charvette-keys
Josh Williams-bass
Pete Newdeck-drums
Tracklisting:
1. Crawlin’ In The Dirt 3:55
2. Atomic 3:50
3. Fire Inside 5:20
4. Darkest Before The Dawn 3:38
5. I Don’t Need Another Heartache 4:22
6. Blame It On Your Lovin’ 4:11
7. They Only Come Out At Night 4:27
8. Chance Of A Lifetime 3:51
9. If It’s Over 4:52
10. Fall To Pieces 3:49
Label: Roulette Records
Online:
www.midnitecity.com
Hardrock Haven rating: 
(8.7 / 10)
