Treat - 'The Wild Card'

Rock Metal Machine
2 hours ago
2 min read

Brilliantly executed and expertly produced; in a word – wow!

Creepy jester holding a card with a question mark. Dark background with "TREAT" at the top and "The Wild Card" in script below.

My introduction to Treat came via ‘Dreamhunter’ back in early 1987, their effortless fusion of Scandie AOR and good-time Party Rock immediately striking a chord and forming the basis of a love affair that’s lasted nearly forty years. And, thanks to Firefest, I even got to see them a couple of times, that first gig in October 2006 being one that still stands out.

After adopting a harsher edged sound with 1992’s ‘Treat’ (a good album in its own right, but not really what Treat fans wanted), they disappeared from view for the best part of two decades. Thankfully, when the climate became more receptive to Melodic Rock once again, they re-emerged, dusted themselves down and continued forwards in the vein of 1989’s ‘Organized Crime’ as if nothing had happened – those with long memories might remember me waxing lyrical over “comeback” album ‘Coup De Grace’ way back in issue #40 (the last time I reviewed a new Treat album).

And so, with three further studio albums emerging since then – ‘Ghost Of Graceland’ (2016), ‘Tunguska’ (2018) and ‘The Endgame’ (2022) – the fading embers of 2025 see Treat once again ready to unveil some seriously good tunes!

As my listening pile never seems to dip below ten feet high these days, it can take a while to get around to spinning most things, but the new Treat album got fast-tracked straight to the top, and boy, was I in for a treat (sic)! Full of crunching guitars and effervescent keys, brimming with hooks and melodies catchier than herpes in a sixth form common room (remember them?) and their strongest set of songs since ‘Coup De Grace’ (if not ‘Organized Crime’), latest magnum opus ‘The Wild Card’ blew me away from the second pacey opener ‘Out With A Bang’ exploded from the speakers… pure, unadulterated classic Treat!

Quickly followed by the equally punchy ‘Rodeo’, they immediately hit their stride and when the ultra-catchy ‘1985’ kicks in … well, you can certainly hear where the likes of Nestor got their inspiration (and yes, that’s meant as a huge compliment!) from. But it doesn’t stop there. The brooding ‘Your Majesty’, the tantalising eastern vibe of ‘Mad Honey’ and the soaring ‘Back To The Future’ (think ‘World Of Promises’) are all fantastic, and that’s just scratching the surface!

Brilliantly executed and expertly produced; in a word – wow!