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Franky Lee

Cutting Edge (2007)
Burning Heart

Reviewer Rating:

Contributed by: Scruffy
(others by this writer | submit your own)

Published on February 27th 2007

Franky Lee is a Swedish rock band made up of members of Millencolin, Randy and Peepshow. Their first album, Cutting Edge, is 13 songs of guitar-heavy rock from Burning Heart Records.

If the above paragraph seems rather staid and bland, it only reflects the emotion that Cutting Edge invokes. Sounding like Millencolin at times (on opener “Solitary”) and a lot like Foo Fighters at many other points (most notably on “The World Just Stopped,” a track which also evokes a Revolution Smile song I can’t remember right now), this album is certainly competent, almost to a fault. It is an enjoyable listen, and I rarely skip over the songs when they come up in the shuffle. But I have had the album for approximately a month, and not once have I felt the need to choose to listen to it.

Sadly, this is not what I expected. Millencolin’s guitar work presents some of that band’s most unequalled moments of greatness. Honestly, I expected more from Mathias Farm. Not only is that disheartening, but Nikola Sarcevic, of Millencolin fame, also helped cowrite the song “Pick Your Poison” which is no better than the rest, and sounds remarkably like a more radio-friendly Foo Fighters (though the brief solo is pretty awesome).

Maybe it’s just the disappointment, as I expected this album to be completely gripping. Millencolin’s Kingwood is one of my favorite albums of the past few years. Cutting Edge is merely well-played and forgettable. I know it might seem unfair to compare two bands that are only related by one member, but Franky Lee does little to escape from Millencolin’s shadow, both musically and vocally.

The good thing about this album is the strong foundation laid down by the talents involved. Cutting Edge is not a great album, but, should they choose to continue and build on what they have made, and they have said they plan to, Franky Lee could blossom into a great band. They’re just not there yet.

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Anonymous (March 5, 2007)

What is this? Mature emo-ish cock rock? Washy pop with electric guitars? Whatsoever, it reeks cheese all over it and I don't see any relevance of this band.

Anonymous (March 1, 2007)

that is one cheesy album cover. wank!

branden (March 1, 2007)

hives > randy >>>> millencolin

the hives have better songs and costumes than randy, but randy is still amazing.

Anonymous (March 1, 2007)

Re: "Everyone likes Millencolin, but no one likes Randy!"

One time long ago in April 1999, Millencolin played a gig in my city. It sold out, obviously (500 capacity club). I didn't go. I went to go see RANDY who played the same night in a 100 capacity club just down the street from the Millencolin gig. There was about 20 people in attendance.

I don't hate Millencolin, but everyone shits over them and The Hives, but in fact, Randy is the true power of Sweden. They re-invent themselves for every record - thats the reason that Franky Lee does not sound like a clone of Randy because Randy don't even clone themselves. Live... Randy live is one of the greatest things on earth...

Re: and randy will never see canada again... didnt they break up?

No and no. They were just here in October.

patthetic (March 1, 2007)

randy>millencolin

and randy will never see canada again...

didnt they break up?

Scruffy (February 28, 2007)

Thanks for reducing an entire country, mostly full of people who hate or ignore skatepunk, to a stereotype based on my review.
The main reason I mentioned Millencolin a lot instead of Randy? Franky Lee doesn't sound like a clone of Randy.
On top of that, shut up. I'll hear none of your "Everyone likes Millencolin, but no one likes Randy!" until you can explain why, if that were true, Millencolin's last album wasn't on any year-end lists for 2006 that I read, but I saw Randy on plenty of 2007 lists. Seems like more people are enjoying Randy right now.

Anonymous (February 28, 2007)

How come all you Americans go on and on and on about Millencolin? This review mentions Millencolin SIX times.

I know what the problem is: You don't know RANDY. Randy The Band. One of the top 5 greatest punk bands ever. They will never play the USA (see 'Cheater'), only Canada is worth it. Its too bad all of you obsessed with Millencolin will never know how fucking good Randy are...