DEEP PURPLE – Perfect Strangers

Posted in Deep Purple with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 5, 2009 by Metal Misfit

Deep Purple – Perfect Strangers [Remastered] (1999, Mercury Records)
Original Release: 1984, Mercury Records

1.”Knocking at Your Back Door” … 7:04
2.”Under the Gun” … 4:38
3.”Nobody’s Home” … 3:59
4.”Mean Streak” … 4:21
5.”Perfect Strangers” … 5:28
6.”A Gypsy’s Kiss” … 5:12
7.”Wasted Sunsets” … 3:55
8.”Hungry Daze” … 4:58
9.”Not Responsible” … 4:47
BONUS TRACK
10.”Son of Alerik” … 10:07

Band:
Ian Gillan – Vocals
Ritchie Blackmore – Guitar
Roger Glover – Bass
Jon Lord – Organ, Keyboards
Ian Paice – Drums

Produced by: Deep Purple

I bought this album close to 10 years ago basically just for “Knocking at Your Back Door”. I ended up liking “Perfect Strangers” as well, but quickly disregarded the rest of the album. It was nothing more to me than bad 70s keyboard/organ heavy rock. That was then, this is now and this album rocks!

I’ve become much more easy going when it comes to 70s hard rock/metal acts like Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple (all three of these bands kinda ran in the same circles, didn’t they). After initially passing this album off as an oddity for something released during the 80s, I can now appreciate the “classic” sound Deep Purple brought to this comeback release. In striving to to match their “classic” sound, Deep Purple ended up putting out something in 1984 that didn’t really sound like anything else going on at the time and as much as I love the 80s, that’s really cool of them and it payed off in a big way.

This would be the popular “Mark II” line up of the band making the comeback. Deep Purple hadn’t released an album since 1975 and the Mark II grouping hadn’t released one since 1973. The reunion was a success with the album reaching #6 on the Billboard charts and the subsequent tour selling out. The album went on to go platinum in the States and double platinum in the UK.

The 1999 remastered version features the instrumental bonus track “Son of Alerik” which previously had only been released as a B-side to the “Perfect Strangers” single.

Highlights: “Knocking at Your Back Door”, “Under the Gun”, “Mean Streak”, “Perfect Strangers”, “A Gypsy’s Kiss”, “Wasted Sunsets”, “Hungry Daze”, “Not Responsible”

www.deeppurple.com
www.myspace.com/deeppurple

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Happy Independence Day!

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , on July 4, 2009 by Metal Misfit

I hope all of you Americans out there are enjoying our nation’s birthday! I’m taking a break from the album posting, but we’ll be back in the swing of things tomorrow!

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VELVET REVOLVER – Libertad

Posted in Velvet Revolver with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on July 3, 2009 by Metal Misfit

Velvet Revolver – Libertad (2007, RCA Records)

1. “Let It Roll” … 2:32
2. “She Mine” … 3:25
3. “Get Out the Door” … 3:14
4. “She Builds Quick Machines” … 4:04
5. “The Last Fight” … 4:03
6. “Pills, Demons & Etc.” … 2:54
7. “American Man” … 3:56
8. “Mary Mary” … 4:33
9. “Just Sixteen” … 3:59
10. “Can’t Get It Out of My Head” … 3:58
11. “For a Brother” … 3:26
12. “Spay” … 3:06
13. “Gravedancer” … 8:42

Band:
Scott Weiland- Vocals, Keyboards
Slash – Guitar
Dave Kushner – Guitar
Duff McKagan – Bass, Backing Vocals
Matt Sorum – Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals

Produced by: Brendan O’Brien

The second (and final) Scott Weiland-fronted VR album sounds a lot like his old band Stone Temple Pilots. The band seems to have traded some of the heaviness of Contraband for a bit more melody that showcases Weiland’s voice much better with its diversity. This isn’t surprising though with longtime STP producer Brendan O’Brien producing this record.

The album didn’t fare as well as their debut, as of this writing it hasn’t even gone gold (their debut was 2x platinum), but it’s just as strong. It took some time for Contraband to grow on me, but I immediately loved this album for it’s similarities to STP (”She Builds Quick Machines”, “Pills, Demons & Etc.” and “American Man” sound like they would’ve fit on No. 4). I was surprised and disappointed this album didn’t catch on despite debuting at #5 on Billboard and that Weiland left the band less than a year after this release. I know drugs played a part in that, but I’m sure if the album had been more successful, the group would’ve been more determined to work things out.

There is a hidden song on Track 13. It starts at about 4:43 and is called “Don’t Drop That Dime”.

This is one of only two albums Weiland claims to have recorded sober (STP’s Core being the first).

Highlights: “Let It Roll”, “She Builds Quick Machines”, “The Last Fight”, “Pills, Demons & Etc.”, “American Man”, “Mary Mary”, “For a Brother”

www.velvetrevolver.com
www.myspace.com/velvetrevolver

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EDGUY – Hellfire Club

Posted in Edguy with tags , , , , , , , , , on July 2, 2009 by Metal Misfit

Edguy – Hellfire Club (2004, Nuclear Blast Records)

1. “Mysteria” … 5:44
2. “The Piper Never Dies” … 10:05
3. “We Don’t Need a Hero” … 5:30
4. “Down to the Devil” … 5:27
5. “King of Fools” … 4:21
6. “Forever” … 5:40
7. “Under the Moon” … 5:04
8. “Lavatory Love Machine” … 4:25
9. “Rise of the Morning Glory” … 4:39
10. “Lucifer in Love” … 0:32
11. “Navigator” … 5:22
12. “The Spirit Will Remain” … 4:12

Band:
Tobias Sammet – Vocals, Keyboards
Jens Ludwig – Guitar
Dirk Sauer – Guitar
Tobias Exxel – Bass
Felix Bohnke – Drums

Additional Musicians:
Oliver Hartmann – Backing Vocals
Thomas Rettke – Backing Vocals

Produced by: Edguy

Great release from Edguy, even though it’s not a highly acclaimed album from many of Edguy’s so-called “fans”. It’s heavier than previous Edguy efforts yet includes an orchestra for many of the songs.

The catchy power metal songs are still here though. “Mysteria”, “We Don’t Need a Hero” and “King of Fools”, are particularly infectious and it’s another release to offer proof that Sammet is one of the best voices in rock & metal.

I first got into Edguy with Rocket Ride, which is another album derided by Edguy fans, but I loved it and went back and picked this one up. It’s not over the top with the ode to 80s melodic metal that Rocket Ride had at times, but on Hellfire Club, the signs are showing of a band that’s more concerned with having fun than being credible in the eyes of critics… and that’s a good thing.

Highlights: “Mysteria”, “The Piper Never Dies”, “We Don’t Need a Hero”, “Down to the Devil”, “King of Fools”, “Forever”, “Lavatory Love Machine”

www.edguy.net
www.myspace.com/edguy

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IRON MAIDEN – Killers

Posted in Iron Maiden with tags , , , , , , , , on July 1, 2009 by Metal Misfit

Iron Maiden – Killers [Enhanced Edition] (1998, Sanctuary Records/Metal-Is Records)
Original Release: 1981, Capitol Records

1. “The Ides of March” … 1:45
2. “Wrathchild” … 2:54
3. “Murders in the Rue Morgue” … 4:19
4. “Another Life” … 3:22
5. “Genghis Khan” … 3:06
6. “Innocent Exile” … 3:53
7. “Killers” … 5:01
8. “Prodigal Son” … 6:11
9. “Purgatory” … 3:21
10. “Twilight Zone” … 2:34
11. “Drifter” … 4:48

Band:
Paul Di’Anno – Vocals
Dave Murray – Guitar
Adrian Smith – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Steve Harris – Bass guitar, Backing Vocals
Clive Burr – Drums

Additional Musicians:
Dennis Stratton – Guitar

This the second and final album to feature Paul Di’Anno on vocals and I like it much better than their debut. Iron Maiden had some punk influence, but I enjoy Killers much more because it sees Iron Maiden settling into a much more typical NWOBHM sound (which isn’t a bad thing). The album still shows the beginnings of the galloping metal the band would produce with Bruce Dickinson though. The addition of guitarist Adrian Smith (replacing Dennis Stratton) greatly helps bring the band to the next level as well.

Though I like Di’Anno’s vocals, I agree with what the band his vocals were not and would not fit in with the musical direction they wanted to go in. The signs of a mismatch were showing on this album, most glaringly on “Prodigal Son”. He doesn’t offer up a bad performance on the album, it’s just a case of not fitting in anymore (he was a great fit for their more raucous debut though).

To be honest, I don’t have much more to say about this album because I don’t have much of an emotional connection to Iron Maiden (and certainly not to the Di’Anno albums), but it’s definitely a classic metal release and I recommend it over the band’s debut for anyone who is curious about pre-Dickinson Iron Maiden.

Produced by: Martin Birch

Highlights: “Wrathchild”, “Murders in the Rue Morgue”, “Another Life”, “Genghis Khan”, “Prodigal Son”, “Purgatory”, “Twilight Zone”

www.ironmaiden.com
www.myspace.com/ironmaiden
www.pauldianno.com
www.myspace.com/diannothebeast

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ALICE COOPER – Brutal Planet

Posted in Alice Cooper with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on June 29, 2009 by Metal Misfit

Alice Cooper – Brutal Planet (2000, Spitfire Records)

1. “Brutal Planet” … 4:40
2. “Wicked Young Man” … 3:50
3. “Sanctuary” … 4:00
4. “Blow Me a Kiss” … 3:18
5. “Eat Some More” … 4:36
6. “Pick Up the Bones” … 5:14
7. “Pessi-Mystic” … 4:56
8. “Gimme” … 4:46
9. “It’s the Little Things” … 4:11
10. “Take It Like a Woman” … 4:12
11. “Cold Machines” … 4:14

Band:
Alice Cooper – Vocals
Ryan Roxie – Guitar
China – Guitar
Phil X – Guitar
Bob Marlette – Bass, Keyboards, Guitar
Eric Singer – Drums

Produced by: Bob Marlette and Bob Ezrin

After 1994’s The Last Temptation, Alice took a six year break from recording (the longest in his career). The Last Temptation shook off the 80s pop metal of Trash, Constrictor, Hey Stoopid and Raise Your Fist and Yell and featured similarities to his 70s work, but in 2000, Alice’s “comeback”, Brutal Planet, was another shift in sound. This time a drastic one which had more in common with the industrial metal of Rob Zombie (Alice’s “pick” to be his successor, should he ever desire to step down from being the King of Shock Rock) than Bon Jovi or the original Alice Cooper band.

I remember “Brutal Planet” was made available for streaming and it took me awhile to get into it. Alice inspired Rob Zombie greatly, so it was sad and disappointing to see Alice trying to play catch up with the new generation by taking a stab at industrial metal, which was then a trendy sound for many young metal acts.

I listened to this album a lot when it came out, just because I was a huge fan of Alice, but I could not get over Alice’s new heavier sound. It just didn’t seem natural to me. 70s Alice, 80s Alice… Anything but industrial Alice! In the last few years though, I’ve come to really appreciate it for what it is. Personally, 80s Alice is my preference, but Brutal Planet has some great songs, even if they aren’t what I would consider to be Alice classics. The lyrics are great to boot and I remember many reviews at the time giving high praise to them, saying they are some of this best.

There’s a general sense of doom and pessimism (see “Pessi-Mystic”) to the album. There’s not a lot of Alice’s signature humor outside of “It’s the Little Things”. This is angry Alice. This is an Alice that’s a bit more serious and the album focuses on real world tragedies instead of his usual tongue-in-cheek macabre. This album is a different kind of Alice, but one that I’ve come to enjoy.

The one song that really sticks out just from the rest, for the fact that musically it is so different than the rest of the album, is “Take It Like a Woman”. It is just one of a few numbers Alice has done throughout the years that I consider to basically be follow-ups to his signature ballad “Only Women Bleed”.

There was a really great Alice song left off the album, and it too, did not fit in with the rest of the songs — “Can’t Sleep, Clowns Will Eat Me”. It definitely showed that fun, twisted side of Alice and sounded like a great fit for Trash or Hey Stoopid. It eventually ended up on international special editions of Dragontown.

On a superficial note, I’ve always hated the cover the and pictures of Alice the album had. Alice just didn’t look like Alice. He looked like a old bum. Maybe that’s what they were going for, but it didn’t work for me.

Highlights: “Brutal Planet”, “Sanctuary”, “Pick Up the Bones”, “Pessi-Mystic”, “Gimme”, “It’s the Little Things”, “Take It Like a Woman”

www.alicecooper.com
www.myspace.com/officialalicecooper

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VAN HALEN – 5150

Posted in Van Halen with tags , , , , , , , , , , on June 28, 2009 by Metal Misfit

Van Halen – 5150 (1986, Warner Bros. Records)

1. “Good Enough” … 4:04
2. “Why Can’t This Be Love” … 3:47
3. “Get Up” … 4:37
4. “Dreams” … 4:54
5. “Summer Nights” … 5:06
6. “Best of Both Worlds” … 4:48
7. “Love Walks In” … 5:11
8. “5150″ … 5:44
9. “Inside” … 5:02

Band:
Sammy Hagar – Vocals, Guitar
Eddie Van Halen – Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Michael Anthony – Bass, Backing Vocals
Alex Van Halen – Drums, Percussion

Produced by: Mick Jones, Don Landee, Van Halen

Ladies and gentlemen, David Lee Roth has left the building!

I prefer Roth-era Van Halen, but Van Hagar kicked off to a very promising start with this release, which I would rank right behind For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge for the Hagar albums.

“Why Can’t This Be Love”, “Love Walks In” and “Dreams” had been three of my favorite Van Halen songs since before I was even heavily into the band. It spelled out the change in the direction towards an adult contemporary sound the band would explore even more on the slightly disappointing OU812, but they are still great songs.

“Best of Both Worlds” is another VH classic, regardless of which era you prefer and “Get Up” is a tremendous rocker which would’ve been a great album opener.

This was the last VH album I needed to complete my collection and I got it probably 5 years ago or so. Well, honestly, I still have never picked up the Gary Cherone fronted Van Halen III, but I’ve heard enough to know it’s horrible and that I’ll probably never pick it up. I held off for so long just because I was so familiar already with “Love Walks In”, “Dreams”, “Why Can’t This Be Love” and “Best of Both Worlds” that I was in no urgent rush to hear the rest.

The album would eventually go platinum six times over and was Van Halen’s FIRST album to hit #1 on the Billboard charts.

Highlights: “Why Can’t This Be Love”, “Get Up”, “Dreams”, “Summer Nights”, “Best of Both Worlds”, “Love Walks In”

www.van-halen.com

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AMERICAN HI-FI – American Hi-Fi

Posted in American Hi-Fi with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 27, 2009 by Metal Misfit

American Hi-Fi – American Hi-Fi (2001, Island Records)

1. “Surround” … 3:11
2. “Flavor of the Weak” … 3:08
3. “A Bigger Mood” … 3:38
4. “Safer on the Outside” … 4:01
5. “I’m a Fool” … 4:00
6. “Hi-Fi Killer” … 3:05
7. “Blue Day” … 3:33
8. “My Only Enemy” … 3:27
9. “Don’t Wait for the Sun” … 3:50
10. “Another Perfect Day” … 3:38
11. “Scar” … 4:03
12. “What About Today” … 3:34
13. “Wall of Sound” … 5:48

Band:
Stacy Jones – Vocals, Guitar
Jamie Arentzen – Guitar
Drew Parsons – Bass
Brian Nolan – Drums

Produced by: Bob Rock

Another album from 2001 that really worked for me during a time of hudge drama. American Hi-Fi are a blend of alternative, power pop and pop punk (which was an extremely popular genre in the early 00s). I’ve never really cared for pop punk, but I was heavily into modern day power pop at the time with bands like Tsar, 40 Ft. Ringo, Lit, Zebrahead, Weezer and of course, one my favorite bands of all time Marvelous 3. American Hi-Fi came along went a sound that was slick and not too slick. The album has more of an alternative rock edge than the previously mentioned bands’ work and it’s not quite as cheery and carefree.

I spent a lot of time sitting on the bed with my headphones on, using a DISCMAN,  in my friend’s house in Virginia (where I stayed while going to college for a semester) listening to the melancholy/aggressive songs like “Safer on the Outside”, “My Only Enemy” (which, with a little more sprucing up, could be a NIN song) and “Don’t Wait for the Sun”. I got a lot of poetry done being inspired by the music and the word of Stacy Jones.

“Flavor of the Weak” hit #5 on Billboard’s Modern Rock charts, but it’s a shame the album wasn’t more successful, it’s definitely a worthwhile rock/pop entry for the early 2000s.

The band has been in limbo for a few years after The Art of Losing (2003) and Hearts on Parade (2005, and produced by Butch Walker!) were commercial failures. Supposedly, a new album, which was initially planned for 2008, is still on the horizon. In the meantime, Jones has gone on to produce a number of albums and is the “music director” for Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus and is also her touring drummer.

Highlights: “Flavor of the Weak”, “A Bigger Mood”, “Safer on the Outside”, “My Only Enemy”, “”Don’t Wait for the Sun”, “Another Perfect Day”, “Wall of Sound”

www.americanhi-fi.com
www.myspace.com/americanhifi

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PUDDLE OF MUDD – Come Clean

Posted in Puddle of Mudd with tags , , , , , , , , , , on June 26, 2009 by Metal Misfit

Puddle of Mudd – Come Clean (2001, Geffen Records/Flawless Records)

1. “Control” … 3:50
2. “Drift & Die” … 4:25
3. “Out of My Head” … 3:43
4. “Nobody Told Me” … 5:22
5. “Blurry” … 5:04
6. “She Hates Me” … 3:37
7. “Bring Me Down” … 4:03
8. “Never Change” … 3:59
9. “Basement” … 4:22
10. “Said” … 4:08
11. “Piss It All Away” … 5:39

Band:
Wes Scantlin – Vocals, Guitar
Paul Phillips – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Douglas Ardito – Bass, Backing Vocals
Greg Upchurch – Drums, Backing Vocals

Additional Musicians:
Josh Freese – Drums, Backing Vocals

Produced by: John Kurzweg, Fred Durst, Jordan Schur

Surprisingly, this is one of my favorite albums of the decade. It really came out at the right time for me in my life when I was lonely, angry and heartbroken, so it all worked out for me and fit my mood at the time (just like Cold’s 13 Ways to Bleed on Stage simultaneously). I usually rally against most grunge-influenced hard rock, and I can see that I shouldn’t like this album, but I do.

In fact, I love it and I’m not even sure why I picked the album up all those years ago because I remember the lead single “Control” getting lots of radio play and it was the generic post-grunge song to me. “Blurry” was the album’s biggest hit, and my favorite on the album, but I’m pretty sure I picked this up before that was a single, so I guess I was desperate for a “new” band to listen to.

Puddle of Mudd is really the brainchild of lead singer Wes Scantli, but the band was heavily championed by Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst (who signed them to his imprint over at Geffen). Don’t worry though, they have absolutely nothing to do with nu metal/rap-metal and are more derivative of Nirvana mainly (especially on “She Hates Me” and “Nobody Told Me”) with a bit of Alice In Chains thrown in.

Odd thing is, as much as I enjoyed this album, I never tried anything after that. I guess I’ve always been afraid this album was a fluke for me. Maybe someday I’ll get around to it though.

Highlights: “Drift & Die”, “Out of My Head”, “Nobody Told Me”, “Blurry”, “Bring Me Down”, “Never Change”, “Said”

www.puddleofmudd.com
www.myspace.com/puddleofmudd

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OZZY OSBOURNE – Diary of a Madman

Posted in Ozzy Osbourne with tags , , , , , , , , , , on June 25, 2009 by Metal Misfit

Ozzy Osbourne – Diary of a Madman (1995, Sony Records/Epic Records)
Original Release: 1981, Epic Records

1. “Over the Mountain” … 4:31
2. “Flying High Again” … 4:44
3. “You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll” … 6:59
4. “Believer” … 5:17
5. “Little Dolls” … 5:38
6. “Tonight” … 5:50
7. “S.A.T.O.” … 4:07
8. “Diary of a Madman” … 6:14

Band:
Ozzy Osbourne – Vocals
Randy Rhoads – Guitar
Bob Daisley – Bass, Gong, Backing Vocals (uncredited)
Lee Kerslake – Drums, Percussion, Bells, Timpani (uncredited)

Additional Musicians:
Johnny Cook – Keyboards (uncredited)

Produced by: Max Norman, Ozzy Osbourne, Randy Rhoads

Geez, I really hate these ‘95 Ozzy reissue covers. That huge border is SOOOO annoying.

As much as I can’t stand Ozzy’s voice, his second solo disc is a worthy follow up to his 1980 debut, Blizzard of Ozz. Despite Ozzy Sharon Osbourne trying to erase Daisly & Kerslake’s contributions from the album, this was a really tight unit and depending on who is telling the story, Ozzy, Randy, Bob and Lee all had a hand in writing the album.

The story of Daisy and Kerslake’s involvement with Ozzy is quite a strange one. They weren’t even credited when the album was released, instead bassist Rudy Sarzo and drummer Tommy Aldridge were (Don Airey was also ignorantly credited on keyboards when it was in fact Johnny Cook who played on the album). Then when the Ozzy albums got yet ANOTHER reissue in 2002, then Ozzy bassist (and future Metallica bassist) Robert Trujillo and then Ozzy drummer Mike Bordin rerecorded Bob and Lee’s parts. Oh well. Sharon may not want to give them credit for their time spent in Ozzy’s band, but true rock’n'roll fans know the score and that’s all that matters.

Back to the album, I think this is far superior to his debut and it’s probably Ozzy’s best. The music is so good, I can even withstand his voice!

Highlights: All of it

www.ozzy.com
www.myspace.com/ozzyosbourne

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