Customer Reviews

Sweden Rocks

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

A great live set from Ted and his backing band, Dokken members bassist Barry Sparks and drummer Mick Brown. Some reviews here have criticized Ted's vocals. Sure, Nugent is more of a "vocal stylist" than a singer; but I don't buy Ted's albums for his vocals. I get them for Nugent's ferocious and (still) gonzo guitar playing. There is plenty of killer ax work on this live set to keep even the most dedicated Nugent fan happy. The main issue I have is the mix and production (or lack of it). Ted's vocals are set up way too high in the mix. Ted's guitar should be set at "11" not his vocals. If the vocals are indeed at "11", Ted's guitar seems to be set at "8" and the rest of the band at "6" or "7". The album also seems very under-produced leaving the overall vibe of the album a bit subdued. "Sweden Rocks" could almost pass for one of the "Instant Live" soundboard recordings ("Instant Live" shows are taken direct off the soundboard, recorded immediately to cd-r, and sold right after the show). With Ted's vocals so prominent in the mix, it is easy to see why his detractors are crying for Derek St. Holmes. (As an aside, Cliff Davies had more to do with Ted's "sound" than Derek's ever did).
In short, a must have for any Uncle Ted fan. The Nuge shells out plenty of riffage and attitude to demand repeated listening. Newcomers, however, are best served adding "Double Live Gonzo" to their cart and taking a pass here.

I don't know what happened to the sound quality here. But, it's not nearly as clear and punchy as the sound Ted got on Full Bluntal Nugity. The sound here is slightly muffled which causes a loss of the highs/treble. I actually just listened to the remastered version of Ted's Live classic Double Live Gonzo a few weeks ago and it has a better sound quality than this.

I too have an appreciation for St. Holmes days in Ted's band because I have always believed that Ted sounded better with a rhythm guitarist by his side when playing live. As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't have to be St. Holmes (nothing against him at all). But, I do feel that Ted (like all other lead guitarists/singers) needs a rhytm guitarist to fully round out his sound. Sammy Hagar and Dave Meniketti come to mind on that point.

I love Ted's music and I think that his last three studio efforts are three of his best (Spirit of the Wild, Craveman and Love Grenade). I personally prefer those three over anything else Ted did in the 80's and 90's including Damn Yankees.

A live cd really wasn't required at this time from Ted but I'll take what I can get. It would have been nice if this set had included a few more songs from the last three studio releases (Still Raising Hell is the only new track) because everything here has been released live by Ted three times already and with the exception of Live at Hammersmith 79, the other two live releases sound better than this.

I love Ted Nugent, and if you have never seen him in concert, then you have never seen the inspiration for what is true Rock and Roll. This is Uncle Ted's fifth live album, and they each keep getting better and better. However, if I had to offer one criticism it would be this; Believe it or not Uncle Ted under sells himself. Yes, you read me correctly, Uncle Ted under sells himself. Four of his five live albums have basically the same set list. Granted there are at least six songs that must be included in any Nugent concert or live recording, however he has an untapped catalog of music that is gathering dust in cd collections across America. Uncle Ted if you are reading this, please include tracks like Weekend Warriors, Tied Up In Love, Kiss My A**, No No No, Good Friends and A Bottle Of Wine, Little Miss Dangerous on your next live recording.

As for pure energy this is a great Nugent recording, I cannot get enough of his live music, Ted performs each show as if it his last, and the passion is un equaled. Many of today's over complicated performers could take a lesson or two from Terrible Ted Nugent.

In addition, if the greatness of Ted Nugent ever runs for political office, please vote for him, I will.

I was there, 30 feet from TED. I have listened to TED since 1975 when I got hold of the Ted Nugent album. I still have Stranglehold as my cell phone signal. This was the first time I saw TED live on stage and I tell you, this was the night of my life. Sure the wedding night was great but my wife was also on this festival and we both loved TED. So, am I a good reviewer? No, I am too biased. I love being biased on TED. The only thing I have a little bit of problem with is his mixing of divine RnR with silly political comments like "I like to kill terrorists" (not included on the CD fortunately). And I agree, a rhythm guitarist/vocalist should not make things worse. Even so, I saluted TED at the concert and I will for the rest of my life.

The songs have been done before with the original singer and have sounded much better. Ted in still a brilliant guitar player but vocals are too important to overlook. If you like Ted's vocals then you will love this CD... and should buy it. Otherwise buy one of of Ted's other live albums.

Ted's weakest live recording is this one; because it's more average than usual. One reason seems to be lack of another guitar player and his taking over all the singing. One of ted's greatest strengths was letting others sing some of his songs. That is still what he needs to do and there's other live recording that are better than this one. Still if it's average for a ted show and better than alot of other artists as far as energy goes! So it's worth owning. The tracks are the same hits but there are a few newer tracks too. completists need this one though cuz it's still primal ted. And as usual the band behind him, todays 'amboy dukes" if you will are awesome as usual.

Ted Nugent still has the same amazing live output he had on double live gonzo's and Sweeden Rock proves that. This album doesn't have the crystal clear sound quality of Motor City Mayhem 6000th concert but that doesn't stop it from being one the best live output's for rock in 20 years. Great set list, amazing guitar playing as always and Ted's vox are still great. This one should not be missed, also check out the DVD.

The Good
Ted Nugent, bassist Barry Sparks, and drummer Mick Brown come out with guns blazing on "Stormtroopin;" the opening song to their 2006 Sweden Rock Festival performance. The rock never stops from their. Nuge and the gang rifle threw all of the classics; "Wango Tango," "Wang Dang Sweet Poontang," "Stranglehold," and "Cat Scratch Fever" of course. It doesn't stop from there as Uncle Ted and company deliver more hard rockin' blues energy on some lesser known tracks; "Free For All,"Raw Dogs and War Hogs," and "Hey Baby" to name a few. Nugent's cover of "Soul Man" is just too fun to clock in at only 90 seconds. Ted's been around long enough to know not to bore the crowd with the 'new material,' so he only brings out "Still Erasing Hell" from his 2007 album Love Grenade.

The Bad
Nugent is kind of an asshole in his liner notes.

The Verdict
Hands down, this is Ted Nugent's greatest performance. It's even better than his studio releases. That's right, I said it!

I am trying to figure out why on earth they would release another live Ted Nugent album with songs we have heard for years. This cd has two of Ted Nugent more recent songs Still alive and well and Raw Dogs War Hogs and a cover of Soul Man. But other than that it has all of his older hits if you looking for a Ted Nugent live album try Double live gonzo or Full Bluntal Nugity. i give this album 2 stars

SWEDEN ROCKS is yet another wonderful live CD by Ted Nugent. Once again, Terrible Ted proves that musicians who are totally clean and sober can make great rock music. Although there's only one new song ("Still Raisin' Hell") here, and the other have been recorded and released many times, you can never have too many versions of these old favorites. As a person who read the plot line of the based-on-fact TV movie WHY ME?, in which the lead character's face get virtually destroyed in a car crash caused by a drunk driver, I admire Ted's strong anti-substance stance, and I feel it's more moral to give your money to Nugent rather than to a drinking-and-drugging lowlife like Axl Rose, Ozzy Osbourne, or Eddie Vedder. However you get this CD, it's a great investment.