Album Review — Tokyo Motor Fist

Tokyo Motor Fist — Lions

Sometimes big expectations can be a bad thing. I’ve been looking forward to this record since the debut came out in 2017. Ted Poley has put out some amazing records in the last few years and this songwriting duo with Steve Brown of Trixter is formidable.

Within the first ten seconds of the first track of “Lions”, I knew my expectations would be met and even exceeded. I’m a sucker for catchy melodic hard rock and “Lions” is exactly that. Big choruses, major guitar riffs and some great songs.

Think Danger Danger and Trixter but with a little more edge and throw in a little Def Leppard and Extreme. That’s how I would describe Tokyo Motor Fist. If that sounds intriguing, then keep reading.

“Youngblood” kicks off Lions and it’s starts with an in your face guitar riff. I really like Ted Poley’s voice and delivery. And the chorus, like many others on the record, have that Def Leppard gang vocal influence, not surprisingly as Brown has filled in for Vivian Campbell at times over the last few years. After only a few listens, I’d put “Youngblood” firmly in the Top 10 songs I have heard this year.

Another strong Def Leppard sounding riff starts off “Monster In Me”. Poley’s delivery reminds me a lot of his last record, “Modern Art”, which if you haven’t heard, you need to check out. All the things I love about “Youngblood” are also here, but maybe a bit darker of a tone. Just another great track.

“Around Midnight” is slightly more upbeat than “Monster In Me”. Another big chorus with those gang vocals. Sometimes similar sounding songs can get repetitive. Although these first three songs all have similar elements, they are different enough and have their own identity that they stand out on their own quite well. Love this one too.

“Mean It” continues the catchy rockin’. Think late 80s/early 90s big hair arena rock track and you’ve got “Mean It”. This one has a little more of a Danger Danger/Trixter feel but those Def Leppard elements are still there.

“Lions” is the first track that switches it up a bit. Lots of keyboards here which is pretty unexpected after the upbeat riff-heavy rockers in the first four tracks. “Lions” has that epic kind of feel as it checks in at nearly seven minutes. Definitely a different sounding track for this record, but a very good song.

And we are right back to the guitar riffing. “Decadence on 10th Street” doesn’t just have an Extreme sounding name, it has a similar sound. Brown’s guitar playing reminds me of Nuno here and even the style of the track sounds like something off of Pornograffiti. Being the huge Extreme fan that I am, I’m all in on this one.

“Sedona” goes one step further into Pornograffiti and brings in the horn section. I appreciate a band that doesn’t hide its influences and uses them to create something all their own.

A string section ushers in the last track on the record, “Winner Takes All”. But it’s no ballad as just a few seconds in we are back to the guitar riffs. The album ends as it began, with the big hooks and riffs.

If I’m going to get picky, “Lions” could have benefited from another track or two that have a little different sound than the rest of the record, similar to the title track. But it’s hard to complain about eleven fantastic tracks.

It’s been a tough year with the pandemic and all the delays, but “Lions” stands out as a bright star in a dark sky. It’s simply a great record.

95 out of 100

Track Listing

Youngblood *
Monster In Me *
Around Midnight *
Mean It
Lions
Decadence On 10Th Street *
Dream Your Heart Out
Blow Your Mind
Sedona *
Look Into Me
Winner Takes All

*Best Songs