Nobody Said It Was Easy (1991)

The Four Horsemen are five filthy, lusty lowlifes who play grungy, sleazy, brutally frank rock & roll — at least that's the impression they give on their debut album Nobody Said It Was Easy, which was released three months ago and ranks as one of the sleepers of the year. Calling their record delightful and refreshing may seem like a contradiction, but delightful and refreshing it is. That's because these guys have a broad humor that's rare in hard rock. ''Rockin' is ma business — business is good!'' singer Frank Starr robustly wails, then grumbles, ''And if it's so good then why am I still f---ing broke?'' Tunes like ''Let It Rock'' and ''I Need a Thrill'' recycle AC/DC and Lynyrd Skynyrd, but these guys turn potential imitation into sarcastic homage. Besides, how can you not love a band with a drummer nicknamed Dimwit? B+

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