Monthly Archives: May 2009
FREAKSHOW – Freakshow
Freakshow – Freakshow (2009, Retrospect Records)
1. “Welcome to the Freakshow” … 3:27
2. “Everyone” … 2:53
3. “You Who Wins” … 2:35
4. “It’s Really Over” … 3:21
5. “Burning Me” … 2:58
6. “Four Leaf Clover” … 2:53
7. “Looking Back At Me” … 4:13
8. “Mindgame” … 2:51
9. “Mistreat Me” … 2:41
10. “Ripper” … 2:44
11. “Mistaken” … 2:48
Band:
Marcus Allen Christopher – Vocals, Guitar
Jeff LaBar – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Tony Franklin – Bass
Frankie Banali – Drums, Percussion
Produced by: Ronnie Borchert
Another outstanding release from Retrospect Records, which despite primarily being an 80s rock/metal reissue label, are proving themselves when it comes to new material as well (see Wildstreet).
Freakshow is a supergroup of sorts featuring M!SS CRAZY’s Marcus Allen Christopher, Cinderella’s Jeff LaBar, Quiet Riot’s Frankie Banali. Rounding out the group is Tony Franklin, who is no stranger to supergroups, having played in The Firm, a collaboration between Paul Rodgers and Jimmy Page. He also has been in Blue Murder, Whitesnake and played on Rehab, the final Quiet Riot album.
Given the band members, the sound of Freakshow is not what I expected. I was expecting a more classic rock/80s rock vibe and that sound is not entirely present here. In fact, the album very much has a fresh hard rock sound, just check out the incredibly infectious, mean and Zeppelinesque “It’s Really Over”. In a world that was fair and just, that song would be all over radio right now.
On the surface, the band looks like a bit of a mismatch. Marcus Allen Christopher sticks out like a sore thumb with his face paint that makes him look like he belongs in a Norwegian black metal band, but all that really counts is the music and the music is great. I also love his voice, which can really wail and sometimes reminds me of Robert Plant.
Hopefully, this isn’t just a one-off project of Christopher’s (he wrote all the songs), because this is one of the year’s best releases and I look forward to more Freakshow albums in the future.
Highlights: “Everyone”, “You Who Wins”, “It’s Really Over”, “Burning Me”, “Looking Back At Me”, “Mindgame”, “Mistreat Me”, “Ripper”
www.freakshowrox.com
www.myspace.com/freakshowrox
www.retrospectrecords.com
WILDSTREET – Wildstreet
Wildstreet – Wildstreet (2009, Retrospect Records)
1. “Wanna Get It On” … 3:41
2. “Hard On You” … 3:13
3. “For So Long” … 3:36
4. “Soldier Of Love” … 3:38
5. “Midnight Gypsy” … 3:12
6. “Open Up Your Eyes” … 4:05
7. “The Fist of Fury” … 4:01
8. “All the Young Dudes” … 3:35
9. “Soldier of Love” (Acoustic) … 4:06
Band:
Eric Jayk – Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards
Keith Robert – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Jimmie Marlowe – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Ali Hassan – Bass, Backing Vocals
Beck – Drums
Additional Musicians:
Watt White – Gang Vocals
Kyle Kelso – Gang Vocals, Keyboards
Jared Lamenzo – Keyboards
Produced by: Mike Shimshack, Kyle Kelso, Eric Jayk
Since Def Leppard is apparently content to not to do any new material featuring their trademark “Mutt Lange sound”, a few other bands have stepped up to the plate and are knocking out home runs. Loudlion is one of those bands, but they seem to be more a goof for MySpace than anything serious and their few songs are knockoffs of actual Def Leppard songs.
So that leaves us with Wildstreet, who fortunately are giving us the “Mutt Lange sound” with songs there aren’t directly inspired by existing Def Leppard songs. That said, the band REALLY does sound like Def Leppard. From the drums to the gang vocals to Eric Jayk’s own vocals (though he can get higher than Joe Elliott can or could), a less informed listener may think this very well was Def Leppard!
I only came across this band and album by chance. I was looking to order Freakshow’s debut and ended up at Retrospect Records, which is also the label of Wildstreet. One click to Wildstreet’s MySpace page, and then I was hooked.
I just can’t get over how fun this album is and it’s another contender for 2009′s Top 10. It’s also great to see the album didn’t wear out it’s welcome with the number of songs, as too many tracks can often kill the momentum and overall quality of an album, but Wildstreet hits it just right with 9 tracks and leave me wanting more! Just like the best albums should! Take note, Def Leppard, and leave the country music and “adult mainstream” sound alone next time!
Highlights: “Wanna Get It On”, “Hard On You”, “For So Long”, “Soldier of Love”, “Midnight Gypsy”, “Open Up Your Eyes”
www.myspace.com/wildstreet
www.retrospectrecords.com
LYNCH MOB – Wicked Sensation
Lynch Mob – Wicked Sensation (1990, Elektra Records)
1. “Wicked Sensation” … 4:42
2. “River of Love” … 4:22
3. “Sweet Sister Mercy” … 3:45
4. “All I Want” … 5:05
5. “Hell Child” … 4:51
6. “She’s Evil But She’s Mine” … 5:10
7. “Dance of the Dogs” … 3:47
8. “Rain” … 4:54
9. “No Bed of Roses” … 4:21
10. “Through These Eyes” … 5:16
11. “For a Million Years” … 6:18
12. “Street Fighting Man” … 4:49
Band:
Oni Logan: Lead Vocals
George Lynch: Guitar
Anthony Esposito: Bass
Mick Brown: Drums
Produced by: Max Norman
Being that I’ve never been too terribly impressed with Dokken, I was always hesitant to give Lynch Mob a try, which ex-Dokken guitarist George Lynch started up. I think it was CD Universe I eventually picked this one up from and it was relatively cheap. The deciding factor though was when I was browsing through the comic book store on Friday afternoon years ago and they were playing the local rock station, which at 5PM on Fridays would always play three “hair metal” songs. “Wicked Sensation” was one of those songs and I immediately loved it and did a quick online search once getting home and eventually ordered the album.
“Wicked Sensation” (which is a better song than any Dokken has ever produced) is the biggest standout and Oni Logan’s voice really shines here as well. The rest of the album is solid pop-metal, but most of it is nothing spectacular, and I only occasionally give the album a spin just the hear the handful of songs I really enjoy.
The album is good enough though that if it had been released a few years earlier, it would’ve been a huge hit, but by 1990, unless you already had a strong following and were a platinum status act, you weren’t going to be given much of a chance playing this style of music.
Highlights: “Wicked Sensation”, “River of Love”, “Sweet Sister Mercy”, “She’s Evil But She’s Mine”, “No Bed of Roses”
www.georgelynch.com
www.myspace.com/lynchmobrocks
KROKUS – The Definitive Collection
Krokus – The Definitive Collection (2000, Arista Records)
1. “Ballroom Blitz” … 4:01
2. “Long Stick Goes Boom” … 5:13
3. “Bad Boys, Rag Dolls” … 3:48
4. “Playin’ the Outlaw” … 4:01
5. “American Woman” … 3:38
6. “Midnite Maniac” … 4:02
7. “Nightwolf” … 4:11
8. “Headhunter” … 4:31
9. “Eat the Rich” … 4:14
10. “School’s Out” … 3:17
11. “Bedside Radio” … 3:19
12. “She’s Got Everything” … 3:59
13. “Heatstrokes” … 4:02
14. “Screaming in the Night” … 6:39
15. “Stayed Awake All Night” … 4:42
Featuring:
Mark Storace – Vocals
Fernando Von Arb – Guitar
Tommy Kiefer – Guitar, Vocals
Mark Kohler – Bass, Guitar
Chris Von Rohr – Bass
Jeff Klaven – Drums
Freddy Steady – Drums
Steve Pace – Drums
I stay away from greatest hits packages these days because often its the “deep tracks” that are most worthwhile, but as a sample platter, they’re worth a spin to find out if the band is your taste.
I do like this album, but I’ve yet to ever get around to picking up any of the Krokus’ other albums, for whatever reason. So not being familiar with Krokus (outside of the hits), I’m not sure how “definitive” this release is, but it works for me even if their covers of “Ballroom Blitz” and “American Woman” are horrible. That’s not really their fault though, I hate the originals too. They do a decent cover of “School’s Out” though.
Highlights: “Long Stick Goes Boom”, “Bad Boys, Rag Dolls”, “Playin’ the Outlaw”, “Eat the Rich”, “”School’s Out”, “Screaming in the Night”, “Stayed Awake All Night”
AEROSMITH – Nine Lives
Aerosmith – Nine Lives (1997, Columbia Records)
1. “Nine Lives” … 4:01
2. “Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees)” … 3:25
3. “Hole in My Soul” … 6:10
4. “Taste of India” … 5:53
5. “Full Circle” … 5:00
6. “Something’s Gotta Give” … 3:36
7. “Ain’t That a Bitch” … 5:25
8. “The Farm” … 4:27
9. “Crash” … 4:25
10. “Kiss Your Past Good-Bye” … 4:31
11. “Pink” … 3:55
12. “Attitude Adjustment” … 3:44
13. “Fallen Angels” … 8:16
Band:
Steven Tyler – Lead Vocals, Harmonica, Keyboard, Percussion, Hammered Dulcimer
Joe Perry – Guitar, Backing Vocals, Dulcimer, Slide Guitar
Brad Whitford – Guitar
Tom Hamilton – Bass, Chapman stick
Joey Kramer – Drums
Produced by: Aerosmith and Kevin Shirley
This was my first Aerosmith album and it was just a weird time for me in general what with being in high school and all. I used to come home and listen to this album everyday so it takes me back to those early high school years whenever I hear this.
Definitely not one of Aerosmith’s best. Half the tunes are good, the rest is trash and I’m not a fan of the “taste of India” (if you’ll pardon the pun) that the band gave this album. “Hole in My Soul” and “Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees)” are really good Pump/Get a Grip-era Aerosmith tunes though.
Aerosmith has done some great commercial hard rock, but they’re always better when they just stick with the bluesy hard rock and this album was far from that sound and should probably only be picked up by completists. But hey, this album went double platinum in the middle of the alternative rock scene, so what do I know?
Highlights: “Falling in Love (Is Hard on the Knees)”, “Hole in My Soul”, “Full Circle”, “Ain’t That a Bitch”, “Crash”, “Kiss Your Past Good-Bye”, “Fallen Angels”
VINNIE VINCENT INVASION – All Systems Go
Vinnie Vincent Invasion – All Systems Go (2003, Capitol Records)
Original Release: 1988, Chrysalis Records
1. “Ashes to Ashes” … 5:05
2. “Dirty Rhythm” … 3:38
3. “Love Kills” … 5:36
4. “Naughty, Naughty” … 3:30
5. “Burn” … 4:38
6. “Star Spangled Banner” … 5:31
7. “Let Freedom Rock” … 4:44
8. “That Time of Year” … 4:11
9. “Heavy Pettin’” … 4:38
10. “Ecstasy” … 3:56
11. “Deeper and Deeper” … 4:02
12. “Breakout” … 2:01
13. “The Meltdown” … 2:01
14. “‘Ya Know – I’m Pretty Shot” … 4:07
Band:
Mark Slaughter – Vocals
Vinnie Vincent – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Dana Strum – Bass, Backing Vocals
Bobby Rock – Drums
Producer: Vinnie Vincent
The original VVI album was decent. There were spurts of creativity, but Vinnie failed to check his ego at the door and rein in his own guitar playing. He was playing for himself and not for the songs. With this album, he does a bit of a better job, though there is still some directionless noodling to be heard.
There is one vast improvement on this album though: the original singer Robert Fleischman is out and Mark Slaughter is in. Nothing against Fleischman, but Slaughter is a much better vocalist for an over the top glam metal band like this one. Fleischman’s voice is best suited for the AOR/melodic rock genre, which is where his roots are, having briefly sung for Journey. This band needed a squealer to match the squealing of Vinnie’s guitars and they that found that singer with Mark Slaughter.
The bottom line for this album is that if you love glam & hair metal, this is one of the essentials because it embodies the good and bad of those genres to the fullest. Of course, the band would split up not too long after this album and Dana Strum & Mark Slaughter went off to form the band Slaughter, which was even more successful than VVI.
As for Vinnie himself, barely a peep has been heard from the man in the last 20 years (outside of a lawsuit here or there and some co-writing for KISS’ Revenge album). The planned follow up to this album was Guitars From Hell (which, in demo bootleg form, is floating around) but it was canned by the record company. He did manage to squeeze out an EP called Euphoria in 1996 as a teaser to another album tentatively called Guitarmageddon, but that never arrived either for whatever reason. I guess he’s done with music, which is a true shame, because he’s extremely talented. Maybe he should form a new band with Ace, Bruce and Peter.
“The Meltdown” and “Ya Know – I’m Pretty Shot” are both instrumentals that were exclusive bonus tracks for the CD version.
Highlights: “Ashes to Ashes”, “Dirty Rhythm”, “Love Kills”, “Naughty Naughty”, “Burn”, “That Time of Year”, “Heavy Pettin’”
BLACK SABBATH – Mob Rules
Black Sabbath – Mob Rules (1981, Warner Bros. Records)
1. “Turn Up the Night” … 3:42
2. “Voodoo” … 4:32
3. “The Sign of the Southern Cross” … 7:46
4. “E5150″ … 2:54
5. “The Mob Rules” … 3:14
6. “Country Girl” … 4:02
7. “Slipping Away” … 3:45
8. “Falling Off the Edge of the World” … 5:02
9. “Over and Over” … 5:28
Band:
Ronnie James Dio – Vocals
Tony Iommi – Guitar
Geezer Butler – Bass
Vinny Appice – Drums
Additional Musicians:
Geoff Nicholls – Keyboards
Produced by: Martin Birch
Another great piece of classic heavy metal and a fine companion to the previous year’s Heaven and Hell.
It’s quite amusing when you consider the songs & style of the Ozzy era compared to the Dio stuff. Ozzy Sabbath was political and “evil”, while Dio Sabbath became more fantasy-based and even talked about the ladies a bit (“Country Girl”) and good time sounding songs like “Turn Up the Night” (though the lyrics are fairly dark).
Out of the four Dio Sabbath albums (counting Heaven and Hell’s The Devil You Know), I think this would be my favorite. Though the song “Heaven and Hell” may be the best song the Dio lineup ever did, songs like “Turn Up the Night”, “Voodoo”, “The Sign of the Southern Cross”, “The Mob Rules”, “Country Girl” and “Over and Over” are just too powerful and have really stacked this album to monstrous proportions of quality.
Highlights: One of the top heavy metal albums of all time, in my opinion. So everything is a highlight!
www.blacksabbath.com
www.heavenandhelllive.com
www.myspace.com/heavenandhelllive
AC/DC – Ballbreaker
AC/DC – Ballbreaker (1995, East West Records)
1. “Hard As A Rock” … 4:31
2. “Cover You In Oil” … 4:32
3. “The Furor” … 4:10
4. “Boogie Man” … 4:07
5. “The Honey Roll” … 5:34
6. “Burnin’ Alive” … 5:05
7. “Hail Caesar” … 5:14
8. “Love Bomb” … 3:14
9. “Caught With Your Pants Down” … 4:14
10. “Whiskey On The Rocks” … 4:35
11. “Ballbreaker” … 4:31
Band:
Brian Johnson – Lead Vocals
Angus Young – Guitar
Malcolm Young – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Cliff Williams – Bass, Backing Vocals
Phil Rudd – Drums, Percussion
Produced by: Rick Rubin
There was a time when I was a HUUUUGE AC/DC fan. They were one of the first bands I got into alongside Poison, Bon Jovi and Guns N’ Roses back when I took a real interest in music in my teens.
My first AC/DC album was Live, and then I went on a spree ordering up when I could from Columbia House Music & BMG Music, in addition to find what I could around town. This was one I picked up in town and I was initially unsatisfied with what I heard.
I guess after hearing Back In Black, Highway to Hell, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap and The Razor’s Edge I was expecting something amazing. Well, Ballbreaker was quite a downer for me at the time, but I’ve matured enough that I can now appreciate the album for what it is: a decent AC/DC album. It does nothing wrong, but doesn’t really do anything particularly great and this album (and AC/DC burnout in general) is why I decided to skip out on their next release, Stiff Upper Lip.
There is one true standout though that conjures up the AC/DC of old: “Hard As A Rock”. And is it me or does “The Furor” seem really similar to “The Razor’s Edge”?
Highlights: “Hard As A Rock”, “Cover You In Oil”, “The Furor”, “Burnin’ Alive”, “Hail Caesar”, “Love Bomb”, “Ballbreaker”
