Monthly Archives: April 2009
DUFF McKAGAN’S LOADED – Sick
Duff McKagan’s Loaded - Sick (2009, Century Media Records)
1. Sick
2. Sleaze Factory
3. Flatline
4. IOU
5. The Slide
6. Translucent
7. Mother’s Day
8. I See Through You
9. Forgive Me
10. No Shame
11. Wasted Heart
12. No More
Band:
Duff McKagan – Vocals, Guitar
Mike Squires – Buitar
Jeff Rouse – Bass
Geoff Reading – Drums, Backing vocals
Produced by: Martin Feveyear
This is a solid outing from Duff’s side project Loaded (though I think the official name is now Duff McKagan’s Loaded). I like “Sleaze Factory” and “Flatline” a lot, both of which seem like they would play well on radio.
There’s a mix of everything here. Duff let’s his punk side shine through a bit with songs like “The Stride” and “No More” (which actually is a bit punk pop) and he also enters Velvet Revolver territory with “I See Through You” & “Forgive Me” and then goes back to his GNR days with bluesy numbers like “Wasted Heart” and “No Shame”. My biggest gripe is “Mother’s Day”. It’s a very slow, cheesy song that I can imagine hearing during some “reflective” scene of some teen drama on The CW and it disrupts the flow of the album.
I think the album could’ve been stronger if Duff really focused on one style of rock instead of doing a bit VR, a bit GNR, a bit punk, a bit modern hard rock, a bit rock/pop, etc. I guess I can’t totally know it thoubgh, because in a way, it’s refreshing. The album is definitely “good”, but I just think it could’ve been better. I would’ve loved to have heard something closer to his 1993 solo release Believe In Me.
Still, there’s tons to be found here worth listening to over and over again.
Highlights: “Sick”, “Sleaze Factory”, “Flatline”, “IOU”, “The Stride”, “I See Through You”, “Forgive Me”, “No Shame”, “Blind Date Girl”
www.duff-loaded.com
www.myspace.com/loaded
www.youtube.com/loadedlamf
3 INCHES OF BLOOD – Advance and Vanquish
3 Inches of Blood – Advance and Vanquish (2004, Roadrunner Records)
1. “Fear on the Bridge (Upon the Boiling Sea I)” … 3:14
2. “Deadly Sinners” … 4:31
3. “Revenge Is a Vulture” … 3:26
4. “Dominion of Deceit” … 4:18
5. “Premonition of Pain” … 4:35
6. “Lord of the Storm (Upon the Boiling Sea II)” … 5:05
7. “Wykydtron” … 3:52
8. “Swordmaster” … 4:24
9. “Axes of Evil” … 4:28
10. “Crazy Nights” … 3:18
11. “Destroy the Orcs” … 2:21
12. “The Phantom of the Crimson Cloak” … 3:11
13. “Isle of Eternal Despair (Upon the Boiling Sea III)” … 3:51
Band:
Cam Pipes – “Clean” Vocals
Jamie Hooper – “Screaming” Vocals
Sunny Dhak – Guitar
Bobby Froese – Guitar
Brian Redman – Bass
Matt Wood – Drums
Produced by: Neil Kernon
Okay, first, let me say this is a GREAT band. If you love 80s thrash/power/speed metal, this is a modern band keeping that style of music strong and well worth checking out.
BUT… I HATE HATE HATE the screaming. I think it’s a horrible style of “singing” and despite how much I love the music on Advance and Vanquish, I refuse to pick up another 3 Inches of Blood release until Jamie Hooper is given the boot. It ‘s just awful. Fortunately, he’s splits vocal duties with Cam Pipes, who provides a great falsetto voice in the style of King Diamond & Rob Halford, but every time Hooper opens his mouth, the moment is ruined. “Dominion of Deceit” is one of the worst songs on the album because it features Hooper so heavily.
I know there’s a market for screaming metal, but I ain’t buyin’ it.
Highlights: “Deadly Sinners”, “Revenge Is a Vulture”, “Axes of Evil”, “Crazy Nights”, “Destroy the Orcs”
GREAT WHITE – Rising
Great White – Rising (2009, Shrapnel Records)
1. “Situation”
2. “All Or Nothin’”
3. “Don’t Mind”
4. “Shine”
5. “Loveless”
6. “Is It Enough”
7. “Last Chance”
8. “Danger Zone”
9. “Down On The Level”
10. “Only You Can Do”
11. “My Sanctuary”
12. “Let’s Spend The Night Together”
Band:
Jack Russell – Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals
Mark Kendall – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Michael Lardie – Guitar, Keyboard, Mandolin, Sitar, Harmonica, Backing Vocals
Scott Snyder – Bass, Backing Vocals
Audie Desbrow – Drums
Produced by: Michael Lardie
I had heard some rumblings that this album was fairly mellow and thus was disappointing a number of fans. It’s true Rising is not much of a hard rocker, but it doesn’t disappoint me at all. It’s less like Back to the Rhythm and more like Can’t Get There From Here, which is just fine by me because I think that was a great release. You have to face it though, Great White was *never* a heavy band to begin with, they’ve usually produce laid-back melodic rock albums and this one is just another in a long line of them.
There’s not a bad song on this album. This album is enjoyable all the way through and seems like the perfect to release as the weather is getting warmer. The first five tracks are the album’s best and upon first listening to them, I was getting blown away track after track. I’ve always loved Jack Russell’s voice and it hasn’t faltered after all these years. Maybe Jimmy Page should give him a call to get that “We’re Not Led Zeppelin” tour off the ground? =)
Great White just seems to be getting better and better with age. In fact, their last three albums are their best, I think. I expected Rising to be a decent album, but I didn’t expect it to be this good. I can’t imagine this album *not* making my Top 10 for the year.
I also want to point out how cool the album art is. Great White usually has some wonderful artwork, but I’d put this cover right up at the top alongside Can’t Get There From Here‘s Lisa Frank-esque cover.
I ended up ordering this album online after not being able to find it around town. I wasn’t surprised I couldn’t find it, but I’m pretty sure I picked up Back to the Rhythm in town when that was released. The very same day my copy arrived in the mail, I found out Walmart had been carrying it all along! D’oh!
Highlights: “Situation”, “All Or Nothin’”, “Don’t Mind”, “Shine”, “Loveless”, “Down On The Level”, “Only You Can Do”
www.greatwhiterocks.com
www.myspace.com/officialgreatwhite
Trimming The Fat: GNR’s Use Your Illusion I & II
In an attempt to add content to this blog besides reviews, I’ve come up with a new feature. The premise? I take a double album, double release, etc., cut out the filler and present it as one wholesome, satisfying release. Welcome to the inaugural edition of…
TRIMMING THE FAT
Guns N’ Roses‘ Use Your Illusion I and Use Your Illusion II are both very good releases, but were mired in filler. This is to be expected when you release 30 songs at once though.
OLEANDER – February Son
Oleander – February Son (1999, Republic Records)
1. “You’ll Find Out” … 3:12
2. “Stupid” … 3:51
3. “Down When I’m Loaded” … 4:24
4. “Why I’m Here” … 3:58
5. “I Walk Alone” … 4:09
6. “Lost Cause” … 4:28
7. “Where Were You Then?” … 4:05
8. “Shrinking The Blob” … 4:25
9. “How Could I?” … 5:13
10. “Boys Don’t Cry” … 3:14
11. “Never Again” … 3:58
Band:
Thomas Flowers – Vocals, Guitar
Ric Ivanisevich – Guitar
Doug Eldridge – Bass
Scott Devours – Drums
Produced by: Steven Haigler
Another purchase from my late-90s open-minded phase. Oleander are pure alternative rock, “post-grunge”, if you will and I got hooked on their singe “Why I’m Here”. If that was a new single today, I’d probably like it, but not give the album the time of day.
I’m glad I did take the chance on them at the time though because as far as alternative rock goes, this is pretty good and melodic enough to keep m interested. I’m not really a fan of Thomas Flower’s voice, but I guess it’s the typical alternative rocker/whiner voice.
This was the band’s major label debut and six of the songs were previously released on their 1997 indie release (including “Why I’m Here”), Shrinking the Blob. Stuff like that really ticks me off when bands just re-record their indie stuff for major labels, Godsmack and The Last Vegas spring to mind.
My biggest memory of this album is listening to it while I got majorly into playing my old NES again and playing Baseball Stars (STILL one of the best games ever made).
Highlights: “Down When I’m Loaded”, “Why I’m Here”, “I Walk Alone”, “Lost Cause”, “How Could I?”, “Boys Don’t Cry”
UFO – The Essential UFO
UFO – The Essential UFO (1992, EMI/Chrysalis Records)
1. “Doctor Doctor” … 4:07
2. “Rock Bottom” … 6:30
3. “Out In The Street” … 5:10
4. “Mother Mary” … 3:45
5. “Natural Thing” … 4:00
6. “I’m A Loser” … 3:48
7. “Only You Can Rock Me” … 4:05
8. “Lookin’ Out For No. 1″ … 4:32
9. “Cherry” … 3:32
10. “Born To Lose” … 3:33
11. “Too Hot To Handle” … 3:37
12. “Lights Out” … 4:31
13. “Love To Love” … 7:36
14. “This Kids (live)” … 4:50
15. “Let It Roll (live)” … 4:51
16. “Shoot Shoot (live)” … 4:05
Band:
Phil Mogg – Vocals
Michael Schenker – Guitar
Paul Raymond – Guitar, Keyboard
Pete Way – Bass
Andy Parker – Drums
Danny Peyronel – Keyboard
I bought this album only a few years ago for two reasons: UFO came highly recommended by a co-worker and for the Scorpions connection with Michael Schenker.
Being a “best of” compilation, the album is very good, but for whatever reason, it never inspired me to go pick up any of their other releases.
Highlights: “Doctor Doctor”, “Rock Bottom”, “I’m A Loser”, “Lookin’ Out For No. 1″, “Cherry”, “Born to Lose”, “Too Hot to Handle”, “Lights Out”
TESLA – Real to Reel
Tesla – Real to Reel (2007, Tesla Electric Company Recordings/Rykodisc Records)
1. “Space Truckin’” [Deep Purple] … 4:48
2. “Walk Away” [The James Gang] … 4:20
3. “Hand Me Down World” [The Guess Who] … 3:44
4. “Bad Reputation” [Thin Lizzy] … 4:40
5. “Thank You” [Led Zeppelin] … 4:47
6. “I’ve Got A Feeling” [The Beatles] … 4:26
7. “Day Of the Eagle” [Robin Trower] … 5:01
8. “Ball Of Confusion” [The Temptations] … 4:25
9. “Rock Bottom” [UFO] … 8:45
10. “Stealin’ ” [Uriah Heep] … 4:02
11. “Bell Bottom Blues” [Derek and the Dominos] … 4:58
12. “Honky Tonk Women” [The Rolling Stones] … 3:26
13. “Dear Mr. Fantasy” [Traffic] … 6:37
Band:
Jeff Keith – Lead Vocals
Frank Hannon – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Dave Rude – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Brian Wheat – Bass, Piano, Backing Vocals
Troy Luccketta – Drums
Produced by: Tom Zutaut
This was one of the soundtracks to the summer of ’07 for me. A lot of decent stuff came out that spring and summer and this was one of the albums I listened to. Honestly, though, it’s a good release, I don’t think it’s anyting special.
These are covers of primarily 1960s/1970s blues rock (though a Temptations cover manages to sneak in) and therein lies the problem — I’m not a fan of those decades. I’m certainly not a fan of the 60s at all, though the 70s did start to kick things up a notch in that decade’s later years. Out of all the bands who are being covered, there are only four I have a passing interest in: Deep Purple, Thin Lizzy, Led Zeppelin, and UFO. Even then, I wouldn’t really call myself a “fan” of those bands. I’ve committed rock blasphemy, I know.
So this album isn’t a home run (cover albums usually aren’t) but there are a few songs that held my interest. “Space Truckin’” is a great cover of the Deep Purple classic and Tesla does an amazing version of UFO’s “Rock Bottom”.
The packaging for this album includs a spot for you to place to the CD of Real to Reel, Volume 2, which was initially only available by buying tickets to one of their summer concerts. It was later released commercially.
Highlights: “Space Truckin””, “Bad Reputation”, “Ball of Confusion”, “Rock Bottom”, “Bell Bottom Blues”
BUCKETHEAD – Colma
Buckethead – Colma (1998, CyberOctave Music)
1. “Whitewash” … 4:44
2. “For Mom” … 5:10
3. “Ghost” … 5:28
4. “Hills of Eternity” … 5:06
5. “Big Sur Moon” … 1:13
6. “Machete” … 6:17
7. “Wishing Well” … 4:02
8. “Lone Sal Bug” … 5:31
9. “Sanctum” … 3:41
10. “Wondering” … 2:15
11. “Watching the Boats with My Dad” … 5:06
12. “Ghost Part 2″ … 2:31
13. “Colma” … 3:14
Credits:
Buckethead — Guitar, Bass
Brain — Drums, Loops
DJ Disk — Scratches (“Machete,” “Hills of Eternity,” “Lone Sal Bug”)
Bill Laswell — Bass (“Machete”)
Terry Untalan — Cello, Viola (“Wondering”, “Lone Sal Bug”)
Produced by: Buckethead, Extrakd, Bill Laswell
I’m not really a fan of instrumental albums, they just don’t hold my interest, but I am a big fan of this one. I first became aware of Buckethead as soon as he joined Guns N’ Roses, so I sought out a few of his songs online way back when and came across a handful from this album that I really loved. But given my lack of enjoyment with instrumental albums in the past, I never went out and bought it.
For years, I would see this album sitting in the local FYE music store, and many times I would pick it up and consider making the purchase, but I would always put it back down. Eventually, I gave in.
I know Buckethead has performed a wide variety of music in his career (25 solo albums and going!), but the music here is ambient: very calm, soothing and relaxing. It makes me think of music you might hear in some late night softcore porn movie on Cinemax or maybe something you’d hear playing in a department store. Heck, he could’ve just marketed this as one of those CDs you play to ease you into sleep at night, and I mean that as a compliment. It’s not a boring album at all, it’s very beautiful and reflective.
I really have to be in a special mood to listen to this though. Most of the time, I just wanna rock out and you’re not gonna get that here.
One thing’s for sure though, Buckethead is an amazing guitarist & songwriter.
Highlights: “Whitewash”, “For Mom”, “Ghost”, “Hills of Eternity”, “Big Sur Moon”, “Machete”
DOKKEN – Tooth And Nail
Dokken – Tooth And Nail (1984, Elektra Records)
1. “Without Warning” … 1:35
2. “Tooth and Nail” … 3:40
3. “Just Got Lucky” … 4:35
4. “Heartless Heart” … 3:29
5. “Don’t Close Your Eyes” … 4:10
6. “When Heaven Comes Down” … 3:45
7. “Into the Fire” … 4:30
8. “Bullets to Spare” … 3:35
9. “Alone Again” … 4:20
10. “Turn on the Action” … 4:43
Band:
Don Dokken – Lead Vocals, Guitar
George Lynch – Guitar
Jeff Pilson – Bass, Backing Vocals
Mick Brown – Drums, Backing Vocals
Produced by: Roy Thomas Baker & Tom Werman
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again I just don’t “get” Dokken. I guess I like my hair metal bands with a little more flash. This was the band’s breakthrough release, going platinum, but it’s nothing special, in my eyes. There are a few songs that are decent, but nothing worth going out of your way for.
I was never really impressed with the Dokken songs I had heard over the years, but I had never owned an album, so I picked this one up after lots of recommendations. I found that my hunches were correct. It’s a wonder I even bothered to try again with 2008′s Lightning Strikes Again.
I know Dokken and this album are considered “classics” in the pop metal circles, but they aren’t for me.
Highlights: “Just Got Lucky”, “Into the Fire”, “Bullets to Spare”, “Alone Again”
POISON – Crack A Smile… And More!
Poison – Crack A Smile… And More! (2000, Capitol Records)
1. “Best Thing You Ever Had” … 4:19
2. “Shut Up, Make Love” … 3:52
3. “Baby Gets Around a Bit” … 3:37
4. “Cover of the Rolling Stone” … 3:09
5. “Be the One” … 5:39
6. “Mr. Smiley” … 2:43
7. “Sexual Thing” … 3:38
8. “Lay Your Body Down” … 5:28
9. “No Ring, No Gets” … 3:27
10. “That’s the Way I Like It” … 3:40
11. “Tragically Unhip” … 2:54
12. “Doin’ as I Seen on My TV” … 2:53
BONUS TRACKS
13. “One More for the Bone” … 3:18
14. “Set You Free” … 3:56
15. “Crack a Smile” [unfinished demo] … 3:46
16. “Face the Hangman” … 3:21
17. “Your Mama Don’t Dance” [live] … 3:13
18. “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” [live] … 4:38
19. “Unskinny Bop” [live] … 2:12
20. “Talk Dirty to Me” [live] … 4:06
Band:
Bret Michaels – Lead Vocals, Guitar
Blues Saraceno – Guitar, Piano, Backing Vocals
Bobby Dall – Bass, Backing Vocals
Rikki Rockett – Drums, Backing Vocals
Additional Musicians:
C.C. DeVille – Guitar (Tracks 16-20)
Produced by: John Purdell, Duane Baron, Kevin Flaherty, Tom Werman
An album that was considered to be “lost” for sometime. It was recorded over througout 1994 and 1995 (sessions came to halt when Bret Michaels was involved in a serious car accident), but with alternative music all the rage and feel good party rock on the verge of extinction, Capitol Records decided to cut their losses and release a greatest hits in 1996 instead of this. Who knows how this album would’ve done had it been released when it was originally planned to, but perhaps Capitol made the wiser choice going with the hits because that particular collection, called Poison’s Greatest Hits: 1986-1996, has gone double platinum since being released.
Well, after all the bootlegging going on with this album, Capitol finally decided to cash-in when hair bands were making a comeback and finally release it. The album debuted at #131 on the Billboard charts. =( I’m pretty sure if Poison released an album today it would easily crack (no pun intended) the Top 30, given the success of Bret’s Rock of Love show. Hey, if their Poison’d! all-covers album can debut at #32, I *know* a brand new release can at least match that.
There’s not a whole lot on here that matches the band’s glory days, nothing as flashy or as catchy, but it’s still a solid album all the way through. It’s not dark like Native Tongue was, but still retains a bit of that rougher and bluesy sound but still has a fun, light-hearted vibe. “Sexual Thing” and “Lay Your Body Down” come closest to the old days, and were actually included on Greatest Hits, probably for that very same reason.
C.C. DeVille is still absent (he was replaced by Richie Kotzen for Native Tongue) as this was Blues Saraceno’s one and only album with the band.
In response to the bootlegging, Capitol countered by added bonus tracks to this release. That’s where the “…And More!” comes from. EIGHT BONUS TRACKS! Now *that’s* how you do it! The first two songs are outtakes from the Crack A Smile sessions, the song “Crack A Smile” is an “unfinished demo” for the album (Aren’t all demos unfinished?), and then we get an outtake from the Open Up And Say.. Ahh! sessions called “Face the Hangman” and then the other four tracks are from the band’s 1990 appearance on MTV Unplugged.
Overall, the album was definitely worth the purchase price when I got it, given that it’s packed with 20 songs, 8 of which are extras.
Highlights: “Best Thing You Ever Had”, “Baby Gets Around A Bit”, “Be the One”, “Sexual Thing”, “Lay Your Body Down”, “Your Mama Don’t Dance [live], “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” [live], “Unskinny Bop” [live], “Talk Dirty to Me” [live]
