Stryper lives! Besides the occasional appearances of the once-bumblebee-resembling metalheads, the spirit of God-rock lives on through former Stryper drummer Robert Sweet and his solo project, Love Trash. Pulling triple duty on all guitars, bass, and of course drums, Sweet deigns to sing and gives that responsibility to Larry Worley, who shines, yet doesn't quite compare to Robert's brother Michael Sweet when it comes to rock vox. Although comparisons to Stryper are inevitable, it is obvious that Sweet is taking his music in another direction. While still rock-oriented, Love Trash is a more intimate picture of Robert's psyche. Having penned all eight songs (the other two tracks are radio edits) and having played all the instruments, one can tell this was a very personal project for Sweet. Still sporting the long, flowing locks of his Stryper days, the cover art includes photos of Sweet surrounded by his instruments as well as his personal notes from each track.
Sonically, there is a modern rock feel throughout, yet it keeps one foot, or at least a toe or two, in the past, paying homage to bands like Nirvana and even White Heart. The title track, "Love Trash" speaks about throwaway relationships to a hard-rocking grind with a killer hook. Another interesting, edgy track that's sure to raise eyebrows is the boldly titled head-banging track, "The F Word." Don't worry, the "F" is for Forgiveness.
Rather than trying to dazzle with finger-busting guitar solos or supersonic voices, Sweet drives his point home with power chords that move around the fretboard like a freight train, incessantly powerful. Who knew this drummer was so talented? Rock fans who never knew Robert Sweet as the "visual timekeeper" of Christendom's most famous crossover metal band will find plenty to rock to on Love Trash. Longtime Stryper loyalists will also enjoy Sweet's pet project, which is destined to be a collector's item. Could Robert Sweet be the Kerry Livgren of modern rock?
3.5 tocks
Other coverage for this album
The Phantom Tollbooth 2001Reviewed by Tony LaFianzaRobert Sweet should be a familiar name to fans of Christian heavy metal as well as anyone who watched MTV in the 80's. Mr. Sweet was the drummer extraordinaire of 80's metal band Stryper. With wild looking drum kits turned to the side, and arms flailing in perfect time, Robert established himself as a great rock drummer. That was then and this is now. The new CD Love Trash is ambitious (Sweet…Art for the Ears 2000Reviewed by Marco PovervestMany of you will know that Robert Sweet used to be drummer for the eighties metalband Stryper, the band that sold its millions. Robert was the driving force of much that happened around the band while his brother Michael wrote the majority of the songs on the six Stryper albums. This solo effort of Robert is the first time to really get to know his songwriting skills. To be honest I had to get…Similar sounding releases
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