Finnish hard rockers Blackbird Sons have not only chosen a bit of a clumsy name for themselves, conjuring up as it does some sort of bearded revivalist/hipster rock hybrid, but they’ve also opted to put out a record that in it’s most fired up moments sounds like a cross between old AC/DC and, depressingly, Airbourne. That AC/DC themselves have just come up with their best album in three and a half decades is a fact that probably won’t be lost on the ‘Sons, as it comes as a stark reminder that we probably still don’t need a replacement for Angus and Co. just yet.

The album’s title track adds a little Axl Rose swagger vocally, whilst Cross The Line will remind you of the days when Jon n’Richie spent their days touring the highways and byways on Steel Horses; You get the picture…

All of which paints a picture of ennui and resignation, but that said, the band are actually pretty good at what they do. Running Train motors along in it’s opening moments a little like Let There Be Rock before exploding into a sort of Skid Row-meets-the-Crue chorus that can’t help but bring a smile to the face. It’s generic, for sure – but it’s so well done there’s little or no point in arguing with it.

The low slung charmer that is You Got It has a fair bit going for it as well, anaemic backing vocals notwithstanding, and at the end of the day you find yourself coming to the conclusion that maybe Blackbird Sons have got a certain something about them – certainly enough to monitor their career going forward. If they can find more inspiration along the lines of penultimate track The Sting and less perspiration like opening cut Wild N’Free then yes, they certainly might be on to something…

Dance With The Devil is out now.