Backyard Babies - Making Enemies Is Good

I’m back in the shed after a lot of disruption here at AJ’s Bungalow which means you almost missed out on today’s post…and what a barnstorming buttkicking disc it is.

Backyard Babies are in a pickle: too punk to partake in the brief hair metal revival of the late '90s, they were likewise too glam to hitch a ride with the vaunted Scandinavian garage rock explosion of the early 2000s. In other words, they look like Mötley Crüe's nephews and/or Good Charlotte's uncles -- you pick. Along with the equally criminally overlooked Hellacopters, the band represents something of a missing link in this Scandinavian evolutionary chain, and with little hope of a happy ending in sight, all they can do is keep rockin' on their very solid third album, 2001's Making Enemies Is Good. And how much do Backyard Babies love to rock? Let them count the ways: "One-two-three...four!," they shout through cracking opener "I Love to Roll." The remaining material isn't quite as explicit, but the message remains untainted throughout, whether they're raging through the almost unbearably bubblegum title track, plodding through the somewhat aimless "Colours," or reaching for inspired moments of pop-tastic nirvana on incredible singles like "Star War" and "The Clash." Strangely, the band's versatility is arguably also their downfall, and it's only once the album is heard in its entirety that the sheer number of familiar sonic references begin to pile up rather uncomfortably, giving rise to the question: Just who are these guys anyway? This realization can't take away from the honest, hard-working excellence of Making Enemies Is Good, but it does advance the doubts about Backyard Babies' eventual long-term identity. Guess listeners will just have to wait and see.

Making Enemies Is Good stands as the definitive high-water mark of the Swedish sleaze rock revival of the early 2000s. Released in 2001, the album captures Backyard Babies at the absolute peak of their swagger, perfectly balancing the gritty urgency of garage punk with the massive, polished hooks of arena rock. Rather than falling victim to the difficult third-album syndrome, the band leaned heavily into a sharper, more aggressive production style that transformed their raw energy into radio-ready gold, earning them a well-deserved Swedish Grammy.

The undisputed centerpiece of the record is "Brand New Hate," a collaborative masterclass co-written with Ginger from The Wildhearts. This track, along with anthems like "The Clash" and "I Love to Roll," showcases the brilliant songwriting dynamic between frontman Nicke Borg and lead guitarist Dregen. Borg’s raspy, whiskey-soaked vocals provide the emotional dirt, while Dregen’s blistering, blues-infused punk riffs drive the rhythm forward. Every song is built around an infectious, shout-along chorus that makes the album feel less like a studio recording and more like a sweaty, high-octane live show.

Beneath the leather jackets and cynical attitude lies a surprising amount of sonic variety and professional polish, courtesy of producer Thomas Skogsberg. While the album never lets up on its breakneck pace, tracks like "Colours" and "Painkiller" introduce subtle textures, including unexpected keyboard accents, that keep the tracklist from sounding repetitive. The rhythm section of Johan Blomqvist and Peder Carlsson locks in with mechanical precision, providing a heavy, unyielding foundation that allows the guitars to completely run wild without the songs derailing.

Ultimately, Making Enemies Is Good is a timeless celebration of rock-and-roll rebellion that has aged incredibly well. It captures a specific moment in time when Scandinavian bands like the Hellacopters, Turbonegro, and Backyard Babies ruled the European underground by injecting pure danger back into rock music. It is a loud, unapologetic, and fiercely entertaining record that remains essential listening for anyone who loves their music fast, dirty, and undeniably catchy.

Ripped from the original 2001 CD to MP3

1. I Love To Roll (2:04)

2. Payback (3:04)

3. Brand New Hate (3:00)

4. Colours (4:49)

5. Star War (3:07)

6. The Clash (3:07)

7. My Demonic Side (3:33)

8. The Kids Are Right (2:58)

9. Ex-Files (3:36)

10. Heaven 2.9 (2:51)

11. Too Tough To Make Some Friends (2:17)

12. Painkiller (5:34)

13. Bigger W/A Trigger (2:11)