Hard to Be a Rock'n Roller… in Kiev! cover

Hard to Be a Rock'n Roller… in Kiev!

Wig Wam · 2005

54 min · 15 tracks · hard rock

A vibrant explosion of glam rock energy mixed with hard-hitting riffs and playful, anthemic choruses.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Hard to Be a Rock 'n' Roller (edit) — The title track encapsulates the band's carefree spirit and catchy hooks, making it a defining anthem of glam rock revivalism.
  • →
    Crazy Things — With its playful lyrics and upbeat tempo, this track showcases the band's knack for combining humor with hard rock elements.
  • →
    Bless the Night — This song features soaring melodies and emotional depth, illustrating Wig Wam's ability to balance anthemic choruses with heartfelt themes.
  • →
    Erection — An unabashedly cheeky track that perfectly embodies the band's playful approach to rock music, reflecting their theatrical flair.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100
Foothills
Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album showcases energetic songwriting and strong performances but lacks depth for lasting engagement.

What we noticed

  • The title track opens the album with a high-energy anthem, setting a vibrant tone that persists through the first half.
  • Several tracks feature layered harmonies and call-and-response vocals, creating an engaging dynamic between the lead singer and backing vocals.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • playful anthems for group sing-alongs
  • steady mid-tempo party vibes
  • exuberant tracks for road trips
  • cathartic release through catchy hooks

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer instant gratification tracks
  • seek deep introspective experiences

Where this album fits

Career context
When 'Hard to Be a Rock'n Roller… in Kiev!' was released in 2005, Wig Wam was gaining international attention after their participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. This album followed their 2004 debut, '667...' and marked a significant step in establishing their identity within the glam metal scene, blending humor and theatricality.
Stylistic neighbors
Steel Panther· Crazy Lixx· Tuff

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Hard to Be a Rock 'n' Roller (edit) 3:43
  • 2 667 0:50
  • 3 The Best Song in the World 3:11
  • 4 Crazy Things 3:07
  • 5 Bless the Night 3:50
  • 6 The Drop 3:59
  • 7 No More Living on Lies 3:54
  • 8 Out of Time 4:04
  • 9 Mine All Mine 3:42
  • 10 Tell Me Where to Go 4:13
  • 11 Car-Lyle 3:55
  • 12 Erection 2:10
  • 13 Turn to You 4:09
  • 14 A Long Way 4:26
  • 15 Hard to Be a Rock 'n' Roller 5:07

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata