It’s hard to believe I’m reviewing a Hinder album. After all, everyone expected them to be a one-hit-wonder with their catchy 2005 single “Get Stoned.” However, while everyone was busy waiting for the next Jay-Z album, Hinder has been putting out quality work on a regular basis. Their debut album, “Extreme Behavior” went platinum after numerous scathing reviews. Their next album, “Take it to the Limit” went gold as well.

Time will only tell whether their newest album “All American Nightmare” will live up to its predecessors’ success.

“Nightmare” is clearly a homage to the Reagan years, when bands like Guns N’ Roses (who are even cited in one of the songs) and Warrant ruled the rock scene. It shares the same unapologetic “Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll” tone that our parents loved, but updated for our generation.

Instead of ranting about Vietnam and “The Man” Hinder sets their sights on fame whores and Kanye West. Of course there are still plenty of songs about the ladies, like the completely un-subtle “Striptease” which will make you feel a bit dirty inside.

Of course there’s no way to pay homage to just the good parts of a genre, even one as simple as 80’s rock. Like Guns N’ Roses’ “Use Your Illusion,” “Nightmare” has a few power ballads that stick out completely and break up the flow of the album.

It also bears mentioning that “Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll” makes for a pretty shallow message in the end. While the songwriting is surprisingly clever the songs are still mostly about getting drunk and doing something foolish. However, I think we’ve all been there and can appreciate a little of the sentiment.

My one real complaint about this whole homage of an album is that it doesn’t sound like a true homage. Instead of using “the good ole’ days” as an influence they flat out use the same riffs as countless rock bands before them.

Looking back on their catalog, “Nightmare” definitely represents a stand-alone project with a completely new sound. Which begs the question, “Why not pull a Spaghetti Incident?” For those of you not familiar with Guns N’ Roses, “The Spaghetti Incident” was a cover album they did of songs from bands that influenced them, mostly from the emerging LA punk scene.

I believe the best homage to their influences would be to have made “Nightmare” their own “The Spaghetti Incident” instead of a blatant rip-off with some more timely lyrics.

Still, every band can be accused of ripping off their influences. It’s almost inevitable. All in all Hinder has done a fine job on “All American Nightmare.” It’s no “Appetite for Destruction” but it’s good if you like a more traditional rock experience or if you want to get your dad to stop playing Van Halen all day.

Grade: B