ELECTRIC BOYS – Grand Explosivos

Like AC/DC once said, “rock ‘n’ roll will never die.” That’s still true to this day with the release of Electric Boys’ eighth studio album, Grand Explosivos. The band found commercial success in the early ‘90s with their first three studio albums: Funk-O-Metal Carpet Ride (1990), Groovus Maximus (1992), and Freewheelin’ (1994). Electric Boys broke up shortly after the release of Freewheelin’ and essentially, that was supposed to be the end of the band, until guitarist and lead vocalist Conny Bloom and bassist Andy Christell decided to reform Electric Boys in 2009.

The band returned to the music scene in 2011 with their fourth studio album, And Them Boys Done Swang. Older, but wiser, Electric Boys kept pumping out studio albums that were well-received by their fans, including the darker Ups!de Down (2021), inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic. Grand Explosivos, however, is a return to fun, feel-good Classic Rock.

Let the Music Play and Good Times Roll

Opening track “When Life Treats You Funky” kicks off the album right with an infectious chorus, a great groove, and such tasteful guitar playing that gives off Southern Rock vibes. The album’s first single, “I’ve Got a Feelin,’” is a throwback to Classic Rock legends like Journey, Scorpions, and Blue Öyster Cult. It’s got all the right ingredients for a hit song: memorable hooks, big melodies, an epic guitar riff, and perfect backing vocals. “And the Band Played On (Part 1)” experiments with Southern Rock again, which works greatly. It’s like a mix of early Lynyrd Skynyrd and ‘70s Queen with the big, backing vocals. What a killer groove too.

“Domestic Blitz” is a straight-forward, hard-hitting, and intense type of song. Bloom’s gritty vocals can attest to that. Despite the overall feel-good vibes of Grand Explosivos, however, the band had to throw some dark humor in there with the tongue-in-cheek “Karma’s Gonna Get You,” which is quite catchy. A highlight of the album is the funky “Cozmic Jagger.” Whether or not it was inspired by Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones, who knows, but it’s very infectious.

Final Assessment

As the opening track makes perfectly clear, Grand Explosivos is a funky album with a lot of groove, a lot of melodies, and a lot of killer guitar playing. All wrapped up with pristine modern production, it’s one of those albums to blast while chilling by the barbeque. Overall, Grand Explosivos is a solid release from Electric Boys.

Album Tracklist

1. When Life Treats You Funky
2. Better Safe Than Sober
3. I’ve Got a Feelin’
4. And the Band Played On (Part 1)
5. Domestic Blitz
6. Karma’s Gonna Get You
7. Missed Her By a Minute
8. Learjet
9. Cozmic Jagger
10. The Great Believer
11. And the Band Played On (Part 2)

Band Lineup

Conny Bloom – guitars and lead vocals
Andy Christell – bass guitar
“Slim” Martin Thomander – guitars
Jolle Atlagic – drums