'Good To Be Bad' is the first WHITESNAKE studio album to be released for a decade and co-incides with the band's 30th anniversary. There's 11 tracks on offer here, all eagerly anticipated after the 4 impressive studio tracks served up as an appetizer on the 2006 album 'Live...In The Shadow of the Blues'.

This album offers a bit of everything for WHITESNAKE fans of all generations. Opener 'Best Years' has a great blues ridden riff to kick things off, before 'Can You Hear The Wind Blow' rocks things up with it's powerful, U2 'Beautiful Day' style bombastic chorus. 'All I Want All I Need' is the stand out ballad of the album, undoubtedly an instant classic to rival the likes of 'Is This Love' - even if David Coverdale sounds more like Rod Stewart, with his softer vocals exposing his age, and perhaps his need for a pack of Hall's Soothers. However, it must be said that on the more upbeat rockers like 'Got What You Need', Coverdale puts in the kind of killer performance that has earnt his reputation as one of the best singers in rock history.

For guitar enthusiasts, the dual lead axe team of Doug Aldrich and Reb Beach serve up a lip-licking platter of solos, whether it be the soothing blues of 'A Fool in Love' or the frenetic double-tapping of 'Call on Me', there's something here to keep every air-guitar fan occupied. When these two are in town, who needs Vai, Sykes or Vandenberg? Other stand-out songs on the album include the spellbinding 'All For Love', the sleazy belter of a title track 'Good to Be Bad' and the definitive twin sister to 'Still of the Night' - the groove laden, 6 minute, 'Lay Down Your Love'.

Many people will have questioned whether there was any point in WHITESNAKE releasing a new studio album in 2008. Well, 'Good to be Bad' really does speak for itself. This album is a masterclass in classic rock, and proves to all that Coverdale, and his latest motley crew still have some great tunes in the locker, and have all the required ability to deliver them in first class style. For fans of the band, and rock fans in general, this is a highly recommended addition to the CD collection.

Rating 4.5/5.0

James Allman

Release Date: 21st April 2008