Monthly Archives: February 2009
BON JOVI – Crush
Bon Jovi – Crush (2000, Island Records/Def Jam Music)
Track Listing:
1. “It’s My Life” … 3:44
2. “Say It Isn’t So” … 3:33
3. “Thank You for Loving Me” … 5:07
4. “Two Story Town” … 5:10
5. “Next 100 Years” … 6:19
6. “Just Older” … 4:28
7. “Mystery Train” … 5:16
8. “Save the World” … 5:31
9. “Captain Crash & the Beauty Queen From Mars” … 4:31
10. “She’s a Mystery” … 5:18
11. “I Got the Girl” … 4:35
12. “One Wild Night” … 4:18
Band:
Jon Bon Jovi – Lead Vocals
Richie Sambora – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Tico Torres – Drums, Percussion
David Bryan – Keyboard, Piano, Backing Vocals
Additional Musicians:
Hugh McDonald – Bass, Backing Vocals
Produced by: Luke Ebbin, Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora
5 years after the dark, somber, melancholy These Days, Bon Jovi decided it was time to make music again and went in the complete opposite direction with the very bombastic, poppy, syrupy Crush.
Not that I’m complaining. I love both albums, but while These Days took some getting used to, I instantly embraced Crush because it’s not too far removed from the usual bombastic, poppy, syrupy sounds of Bon Jovi. The only difference is the band brought in “boy band” songwriter Max Martin (“It’s My Life”) but also balanced it out with a bit more of a mature sound (“She’s A Mystery”, “Just Older”, “Save the World”).
It’s not a hard rocking album for the most part (Bounce actually rocks harder than this), it’s very much a pop album, but I still love it. “It’s My Life” though somewhat boy bandish is an incredibly catchy song and I loved that in 2000 I was hearing brand new Bon Jovi on the radio. All three singles (the other two being “Say It Isn’t So” and “Thank You For Loving Me”) are my favorite songs from the album, but the slower moments like “Mystery Train” and “She’s A Mystery” are really enjoyable too.
Probably my only complaint with be the lack of originality. I remember an old review stating that “Say It Isn’t So” and “Two Story Town” ripped off Lit and Joan Osbourne, respectively, and it’s absolutely true. “Two Story Town” seems to be such a near carbon copy of “What If God Was One of Us” that I’m surprised Joan didn’t sue. Also, their use of two “Mystery” songs has always bothered me (even though I love both songs), just like GNR’s “The Garden” and “The Garden of Eden” on Use Your Illusion I, it’s always annoyed me.
The album has a great closer with “One Wild Night” which is the one song that reminds me most of the Bon Jovi of the 80s. This song could’ve easily been on New Jersey right alongside “99 in the Shade” and “Love For Sale”.
Highlights: “It’s My Life”, “Say It Isn’t So”, “Thank You For Loving Me”, “Just Older”, “Mystery Train”, “Save the World”, “She’s a Mystery”, “One Wild Night”
www.bonjovi.com
www.myspace.com/bonjovi
BUCKCHERRY, AVENGED SEVENFOLD, PAPA ROACH, SAVING ABEL – 02/21/09
Buckcherry/Avenged Sevenfold/Papa Roach/Saving Abel (02/21/09, Kellogg Arena in Battle Creek, Michigan)
This past Saturday night I had the pleasure of getting to see a good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll show in Battle Creek. We (my fiancee and I) left here (Lansing) at about 4PM, even though the show didn’t start until 6:30, just to make sure we know where we were going and find our seats… which turned out to be general admission.
After a long wait in a sloooow moving line just to get into the actual arena, I was surprised by how small and kinda of old it was. Holds about 8,500 people and the show was reported to be a sell-out. Of course, the woman had to stop off and get her Papa Roach shirt. Papa Roach being the whole reason we went to this show. My original concert pick was Motley Crue/Hinder/Theory of a Deadman/The Last Vegas, which took place earlier in the month in Grand Rapids. It would’ve been our 3rd time seeing the Crue, but instead she talked me into seeing seeing Buckcherry and Papa Roach for a 2nd time (3rd for her when it comes to Papa Roach).
So anyway, it was a fun show. Here’s the breakdown:
Saving Abel
I don’t know much about this band. Despite my girl owning the CD, I’ve never got around to listening to it, though I was very familiar with “Addicted” from radio and my girl’s ring tone. Everyone was very fired up as soon as they lights went down and they heard the band start to play, but I get the feeling most people were just happy to finally hear music and didn’t so much about Saving Abel in particular. I guess they’re kind of a Nickelback “post grunge” rock band. Not really my thing. I pretty much just wanted them to play “Addicted” then get the heck off the stage.
I had more fun watching one of the guitarists, who was really into the whole show and going all out with mannerisms while playing like he was some heavy metal guitar player. Not knocking it, I thought it was fun.
Not exactly sure of the setlist, since I’m not familiar with their album, but I found this list online and it sounds right:
“In God’s Eyes”
“New Tattoo”
“Drowning (Face Down)”
“Addicted”
“18 Days”
“Beautiful You”
Papa Roach
The crowd favorite of the whole show was, by far, Papa Roach. Kinda makes me wonder how they get such low billing when touring with other bands (they were 3rd on the bill for Crue Fest too). Jacoby Shaddix’s energy is off the charts, just like it was at Crue Fest in Clarkston, MI. He ran into the crowd to sing “Lifeline”, pretty cool stuff. I see the band keeps going in a poppier direction with “Lifeline”. Not a fan of the other new song, “Hollywood Whore”. Just seems cliche at this point to bash brainless celebrity bimbos like Britney and Paris.
Setlist:
“Between Angels & Insects”
“…to Be Loved”
“Deadcell”
“Scars”
“Getting Away with Murder”
“Time Is Running Out”
“Lifeline”
“Forever”
“Hollywood Whore”
“Last Resort”
Avenged Sevenfold
Judging by reaction, A7X were the 2nd biggest band of the night. I think Avenged Sevenfold and Buckcherry are alternating on who is closing the shows. I’ve been missing the boat on Avenged Sevenfold, despite owning City of Evil. I bought 2007′s self-titled release in preparation for this show and it’s a good thing I did, they covered six songs from that album. I loved it. I was really hoping they would play “A Little Piece of Heaven”, which is my favorite song from their last album. I’m hearing they do it as an encore when they close the shows.
It was amazing to hear & see the band play. Great musicians and Synyster Gates has quickly become one of my favorite guitarists.
Setlist:
“Critical Acclaim”
“Afterlife”
“Beast and the Harlot”
“Scream”
“Dear God”
Synyster Gates solo
“Bat Country”
“Gunslinger”
“Unholy Confessions”
“Almost Easy”
Buckcherry
I really enjoy this band because they’re keeping the 80s sleaze factor intact and they delivered a career best (and one of my favorite albums from 2008) with Black Butterfly, but unfortunately, I think they turn off a lot of the “modern” metal/rock fans for the very reason that they are “old school” in sound. Most of the crowd seemed way more into Papa Roach & Avenged Sevenfold in terms of reaction and t-shirts being worn. Plus, I think by this point, there had been so much screaming, yelling and moshing (!!!) going on, the crowd was getting drained.
Still, it’s a blast watching guitarist Keith Nelson (who was dressed like a cross between Bruce Springsteen and Brian Johnson) and singer Josh Todd work the stage. Todd’s movements bring to mind Axl Rose, Steven Tyler, and Mick Jagger.
Unfortunately, we actually had to cut out early from their set (at least we got to beat all of the traffic, though we had to drive an hour back home through a terrible snowstorm), but we were able to see most of it.
The set list, obviously, I’m not totally sure of but I know they played the songs, even if I can’t remember the order:
“Tired of You”
“Broken Glass”
“Next 2 You”
“Ridin’”
“Rescue Me”
“Too Drunk…”
“Lit Up”
“Talk to Me”
I’m sure they finished up with “Sorry” and “Crazy Bitch”.
Overall, this was a great show. Saving Abel was the only downer. I just don’t think they fit in with these other bands. Papa Roach had tons of energy that the crowd matched, Avenged Sevenfold put on an excellent live show and are great musicians and Buckcherry brought the sleaze, attitude & swagger. What more could you ask for?
MONSTERS OF ROCK
Various Artists – Monsters of Rock (1998, Razor & Tie)
Track Listing:
1. “Cum on Feel the Noize” – Quiet Riot … 4:51
2. “Once Bitten Twice Shy” – Great White … 5:22
3. “Poison” – Alice Cooper … 4:30
4. “The Final Countdown” – Europe … 5:11
5. “Round and Round” – Ratt … 4:24
6. “Cherry Pie” – Warrant … 3:20
7. “Here I Go Again” – Whitesnake … 4:35
8. “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” – Poison … 4:20
9. “Seventeen” – Winger … 4:05
10. “Cult of Personality” – Living Colour … 4:54
11. “We’re Not Gonna Take It” – Twisted Sister … 3:39
12. “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’” – Judas Priest … 5:08
13. “Nobody’s Fool” – Cinderella … 4:48
14. “Hold on Loosely” – .38 Special … 4:37
15. “Turn up the Radio” – Autograph … 4:34
16. “Sister Christian” – Night Ranger … 4:56
Ahh… The hair metal compilation that gave rise to all the rest of the imitators and countless sequels from Razor & Tie.
Razor & Tie initially pushed many of their compilations (love songs, country, 80s, etc.) through their 800 number. I remember many of these ads over on cable stations like TBS and WGN. I *think* there was even a 2-disc version of Monsters of Rock that was only available by ordering over the phone.
Anyway, tons of classics here, though I would argue the inclusion of .38 Special, Autograph, Night Ranger and Living Colour (I really hate “Cult of Personality” anyway). You can’t go wrong with these songs. Though I would eventually own all the albums that these songs were taken from, this was a great introduction for me to the genre when, up to that point, I had really only gotten heavy in GNR, Poison and Bon Jovi.
My fondest memory is playing this one constantly when my family moved from Virginia to Florida in June 1998. I had no friends and nowhere to go and this album received CONSTANT play in my room that summer. Also, Monsters of Rock gave me a great “I REMEMBER THAT SONG!” moment with Alice Cooper’s “Poison”. I had totally forgotten about that massive comeback hit for The Coop.
This album pretty much set the standard for pop metal comps and usually knockoff CDs basically just took this tracklisting and hit ‘shuffle’.
The 69 EYES – Devils
The 69 Eyes – Devils (2008, EMI/Caroline Records)
Original Release: 2005, EMI/Caroline Records
Track Listing:
1. “Devils” … 3:51
2. “Feel Berlin” … 4:08
3. “Nothing On You” … 4:10
4. “Sister Of Charity” … 5:04
5. “Lost Boys” … 3:23
6. “Jimmy” … 3:10
7. “August Moon” … 3:37
8. “Beneath The Blue” … 3:12
9. “Christina Death” … 4:02
10. “Hevioso” … 4:12
11. “Only You Can Save Me … 3:34
BONUS TRACKS
12. “From Dusk Till Dawn” … 3:23
13. “Pitchblack” … 4:47
Band:
Jyrki 69 – Lead Vocals
Timo-Timo – Guitar
Bazie – Guitar
Archzie – Bass, Vocals
Jussi 69 – Drums
Additional Musicians:
Ville Valo – Vocals (“Beneath the Blue”)
Produced by: Hiili Hiilesmaa
For reasons I don’t really understand, this album was reissued in 2008 (with two extra tracks), only 3 years after the original release. The stickers on the shrink wrap packaging was hyping it as The 69 Eyes’ best release, so I guess it was just that darn good to get another pressing so soon…
But, truth be told, I can’t claim this is their best album (of the two I’ve heard, that is!). Angels is pretty superior, in my opinion. There’s nothing here that immediately jumps out at me as instantly catchy ‘goth ‘n’ roll’ like “Perfect Skin” and “Never Say Die” did.
It’s still a good album though, but it took a few listens for it to grow on me. The difference between Angels and Devils is that this album seems a bit more caught up in 80s synth and 2007′s Angels was more of a harder rocking effort.
“Beneath the Blue” features HIM frontman Ville Valo on vocals.
Highlights: “Devils”, “Feel Berlin”, “Nothing On You”, “Jimmy”, “Beneath the Blue”, “Hevioso”, “Pitchblack”
AVENGED SEVENFOLD – Avenged Sevenfold
Avenged Sevenfold – Avenged Sevenfold (2007, Warner Bros. Records)
Track Listing:
1. “Critical Acclaim” … 5:15
2. “Almost Easy” … 3:55
3. “Scream” … 4:50
4. “Afterlife” … 5:55
5. “Gunslinger” … 4:11
6. “Unbound (The Wild Ride)” … 5:11
7. “Brompton Cocktail” … 4:13
8. “Lost” … 5:02
9. “A Little Piece of Heaven” … 8:02
10. “Dear God” … 6:36
Band:
M. Shadows — Lead Vocals, Keyboard
Synyster Gates — Guitar, Backing Vocals
Zacky Vengeance — Guitar, Backing Vocals
Johnny Christ — Bass, Backing Vocals
The Rev — Drums, Backing Vocals
Produced by: Avenged Sevenfold
I first noticed Avenged Sevenfold thanks to their hit song “Bat Country” from 2005′s City of Evil. The album was an okay mix of modern metal and 80s metal, but I had trouble getting into it fully.
Knowing that I was planning on seeing this band in concert soon, I decided to pick up this 2007 self-titled release to get familiar with some more of their songs. I have to say, I really love this album. It’s very ambitious and the band tries to spread their wings a bit with songs like “Lost” (which uses auto-tune to a very poppy effect) and “Dear God”, a country rocker, which funny enough was originally titled “Country Rocker”.
I’ve seen some reviews knock the band for going in this more layered and polished direction (tons of orchestration is used, so much I didn’t even bother adding them in the Additional Musicians credits) but I love it. I really enjoy the lyrics as well.
I’ve definitely become a fan of this band and now I need to go find City of Evil and give that another listen…
Highlights: “Almost Easy”, “Scream”, “Afterlife”, “Unbound (The Wild Ride)”, “Lost”, “A Little Piece of Heaven”, “Dear God”
GREAT WHITE – Once Bitten…
Great White – Once Bitten… (1987, Capitol Records)
Track Listing:
1. “Lady Red Light” … 4:53
2. “Gonna Getcha” … 4:13
3. “Rock Me” … 7:19
4. “All Over Now” … 4:21
5. “Mistreater” … 5:49
6. “Never Change Heart” … 4:27
7. “Fast Road” … 3:40
8. “On The Edge” … 6:01
9. “Save Your Love” … 5:46
Band:
Jack Russell — Vocals
Mark Kendall — Guitar
Michael Lardie — Guitar, Keyboard
Audie Desbrow — Drums
Lorne Black — Bass
Produced by: Alan Niven, Michael Lardie and Mark Kendall
The first Great White album I owned was Can’t Get There From Here, but of course I had to step back in time and pick this one up years ago. Great White has never been flashy, just solid blues-influenced hard rock and Jack Russell has always been one of my favorite vocalists, so they deliver in their typical style here.
The album is definitely a must own though for “Rock Me” and “Save Your Love” (which are my two favorite Great White songs).
I have to say, I absolutely hate this cover. It (and the girl) look really cheap, she’s not very cute.
Highlights: “Lady Red Light”, “Gonna Getcha”, “Rock Me”, “All Over Now”, “Save Your Love”
WHITE LION – The Best of White Lion
White Lion – The Best of White Lion (1992, Atlantic Records)
Track Listing:
1. “Wait” … 4:04
2. “Radar Love” … 5:58
3. “Broken Heart” … 4:10
4. “Hungry” … 3:56
5. “Little Fighter” … 4:24
6. “Lights And Thunder” … 8:09
7. “All You Need is Rock ‘N’ Roll” [Live] … 5:44
8. “When the Children Cry” … 4:24
9. “Love Don’t Come Easy” … 4:11
10. “Cry for Freedom” … 6:11
11. “Lady of the Valley” [Live] … 7:41
12. “Tell Me” … 4:30
13. “Farewell to You” … 4:21
Band:
Mike Tramp – Vocals
Vito Bratta – Guitars
James Lomenzo – Bass
Greg D’Angelo – Drums
Produced by: Michael Wagener (Tracks 1, 2, 4-8, 10-12), Richie Vito (Tracks 3, 9, 13)
My one and only White Lion album, and it was an early addition to my CD collection. I was inspired to pick it up because of “When the Children Cry”, which a friend of mine had turned me onto. Obviously, being a ‘best of’, you can’t really go wrong, especially since this was my first introduction to the band.
I remember this album very well as I would usually come home from school and fall asleep while listening to it every afternoon (as I did with Guns N’ Roses and Poison).
“Radar Love” is the worst song of the bunch, I don’t like this soft cover and I don’t like Golden Earring’s original either!
This was the final release from White Lion until 1999, when another hits compilation was released (on Cleopatra Records and this time featuring re-recordings of White Lion songs by Mike Tramp and an all-new band) . Mike Tramp continues to tour and record under the White Lion name, releasing Returning of the Pride in 2008. It was the first original studio album since 1991′s Mane Attraction.
Highlights: Seeing as how this is a ‘best of’, I think most of the songs are more than worthy… “Wait”, “Broken”, “Hungry”, “Little Fighter”, “Lights and Thunder”, “When the Children Cry”, “Love Don’t Come Easy”, “Cry for Freedom”, “Tell Me”, “Farewell to You”
ARCADE – Arcade
Arcade – Arcade (1993, Epic Records)
Track Listing:
1. “Dancin’ With The Angels” … 4:09
2. “Nothin’ To Lose” … 4:38
3. “Calm Before The Storm” … 4:08
4. “Cry No More” … 5:34
5. “Screamin’ S.O.S.” … 3:37
6. “Never Goin’ Home” … 3:41
7. “Messed Up World” … 3:57
8. “All Shook Up” … 3:38
9. “So Good… So Bad…” … 4:39
10. “Livin’ Dangerously” … 3:13
11. “Sons And Daughters” … 1:53
12. “Mother Blues” … 3:11
Band:
Stephen Pearcy – Vocals, Guitar, Backing Vocals
Frankie Wilsex – Guitar
Donny Syracuse – Guitar
Michael Andrews – Bass
Fred Coury – Drums, Backing Vocals
Produced by: David Prater
Arcade was one of the last great pop metal acts. Unfortunately, they arrived just a few years too late to really make an impact because grunge & alternative rock already had crashed the charts by the time this album was released in the Spring of ’93.
It really is a great record and one of the best examples of the genre, I think. Stephen Pearcy (Ratt) recruited Cinderella’s Fred Coury alongside a few other players to put out an album that sounds like a more melodic version of Ratt. If this had been released in ’89 or ’90, quite a number of these songs could’ve been huge hits.
A follow-up was released in ’94, that time it was a little more in-step with the current musical climate. In 2006, Pearcy announced his intentions to revive the band, but ended up rejoining Ratt instead.
Highlights: “Dancin’ With The Angels”, “Nothin’ To Lose”, “Calm Before The Storm”, “Cry No More”, “Screamin’ S.O.S.”, “Never Goin’ Home”, “So Good… So Bad…”
JUDAS PRIEST – Demolition
Judas Priest – Demolition (2001, Atlantic Records)
Track Listing:
1. “Machine Man” … 5:35
2. “One on One” … 6:44
3. “Hell Is Home” … 6:18
4. “Jekyll and Hyde” … 3:19
5. “Close to You” … 4:28
6. “Devil Digger” … 4:45
7. “Bloodsuckers” … 6:18
8. “In Between” … 5:41
9. “Feed on Me” … 5:28
10. “Subterfuge” … 5:12
11. “Lost and Found” … 4:57
12. “Cyberface” … 6:45
13. “Metal Messiah” … 5:14
Band:
Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens – Vocals
K.K. Downing – Guitar
Glenn Tipton – Guitar
Ian Hill – Bass
Scott Travis – Drums
Produced by: Glenn Tipton
I was pretty excited about this release as I had been snatching up Judas Priest’s back catalog and they were quickly becoming one of my favorite bands. Even the absence of Rob Halford (the second album without his vocals) could not deter my enthusiasm. This was also my first “new” Priest CD.
I tried to get into it this album, I really did! I wanted both Halford’s solo band AND Judas Priest to be successful bands with great albums, but Priest just wasn’t up to it here. The album sounds very modern, and very metal, but not very Priest-like. Though I certainly respect’em for pushing forward and going for a heavier, more current sound.
I can’t knock it and say Demolition is “bad”, it’s just kinda there, kinda bland, but it does feature a few bright spots. No offense to Ripper, but I’m happy Rob is back in the group.
Highlights: “Hell Is Home”, “Close to You”, “In Between”
