Johnny Hyde’s 'Here Comes the Breakdown' comes at a critical time for this local quintet. This glam rock band has changed names and personnel more times than most people change underwear. The current line-up has played together for over a year, and their live shows are gaining fans and notoriety since playing such venues as Music Midtown and Atlantis.
The current CD is a re-recording of an earlier release, but this version contains new songs and was recorded with the current line-up.
The first three songs are solid rock tunes loaded with high energy and adrenaline. Opening track 'Breakdown' establishes the pace of a CD that takes no prisoners while taking pot shots at the local music scene.
After rummaging through your sister’s makeup case for her eyeliner, you’ll find yourself high-kicking the air and slashing your air guitar to the anthem 'No Regrets'. These songs along with 'My Inspiration' retain the sound of a live Johnny Hyde show.
The tone shifts through the next third of the recording, but the adrenaline never lets down. 'Sad' and 'Strange Days' slow the pace, but Doug Kees’ wailing slide guitar and the anger in Johnny’s voice never let go of the hold around your neck. 'Tainted Love', the Soft Cell cover is hit or miss.  The song doesn’t succeed with an angry, metal guitar sound, but it does put a new twist on a song that has survived the Nineties somehow.
The CD closes with three songs that bring in the glam rock roots. 'Crash' and 'Clear' sound like Bowie b-sides. Put on another layer of black eyeliner because the high-energy returns to kick pop radio music in its Nutrasweet ® flavored ass.
Ending with the wishful 'Pop is Dead', this track is ironically the potential radio hit for the band.
The themes of the CD promote self-alienation, love as destructive energy and highlight the angst of one man trying to succeed in a crazy musical business. Johnny’s anger and frustration is evident, but hopefully 'Here Comes the Breakdown' won’t be self-fulfilling.

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