10 Cent Billionaire

On the Bulletboys' 2009 release (and sixth overall), 10ct. Billionaire, singer Marq Torien is the only recognizable name from the group's early years still on the roster. But the group's sound can still be best described as a "hair metal/Van Halen collision" -- as long as the boys have Torien present, their sound won't be too far off from their 1988 self-titled debut. Case in point, such ditties as the album opening "Asteroid," as well as "Born to Breed" and "Girls Kissin' Girls" rock as heavily as anything Torien and company have presented to date. While there isn't anything here that is as catchy as the group's popular earlier work (namely the MTV hit "Smooth Up in Ya"), 10ct. Billionaire is arguably the Bulletboys' heaviest release yet. But with a fan base that embraces both melody and metal equally, all the mean riffing and bashing may go over their audience's hair-sprayed heads.