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Black Country Communion – Black Country Communion
Black Country Communion [CD/DVD Edition] (2010, J&R Adventures)
1. “Black Country” … 3:15
2. “One Last Soul” … 3:52
3. “The Great Divide” … 4:45
4. “Down Again” … 5:46
5. “Beggarman” … 4:52
6. “Song of Yesterday” … 8:33
7. “No Time” … 4:19
8. “Medusa” … 6:57
9. “The Revolution in Me” … 4:59
10. “Stand (At the Burning Tree)” … 7:02
11. “Sista Jane” … 6:55
12. “Too Late for the Sun” …. 11:21
Band:
Glenn Hughes – Lead Vocals, Bass, Backing Vocals
Joe Bonamassa – Guitar, Backing Vocals, Lead Vocals
Jason Bonham – Drums, Percussion
Derek Sherinian – Keyboards
Producer: Kevin Shirley
BCC is one of the year’s best surprises for me. I like Hughes, I like Bonham but even when I heard about this band getting together and it wasn’t anything for me to get excited over. I love Glenn Hughes’ voice but other than Deep Purple and the one Black Sabbath album he did, the music he’s been a part of has never really impressed me. Nothing terrible just nothing that stood out and with him fronting the band and seemingly the leader of the group as well, I was afraid BCC would venture into the “unremarkable” category.
Not so! As Hughes himself has said this album is a “traditional classic rock record with a modern twist”. I definitely agree. Many of these songs would sound right at home on your local classic rock radio station, other than the production, some of these songs you wouldn’t even be able to tell they were new! That’s a huge compliment in my opinion. BCC is a complete throwback to the hard working British bluesy hard rock bands of the ’70s, which isn’t a surprise considering the members. The only oddball seems to be Sherinian, who I am only familiar with through Dream Theater and the various session/touring work he has done. Didn’t realize a band like this would be his kind of thing.
Hughes sounds just as powerful as ever. His performance on “The Great Divide” is my favorite on this album. The production is great and gives off a nice meaty sound and the funk/blues influences you would expect from a Hughes/Bonamassa collaboration is all there. Despite Classic Rock magazine’s constant hype for Bonamassa, I’ve never listened to him. He’s primarily a blues artist but this guy can really rock out, he does a fantastic job all throughout the album and even handles lead vocals on “Song of Yesterday” (a classic rock epic if there ever was one) and “The Revolution In Me” while sharing vocals with Glenn on “Sista Jan” and “Too Late for the Sun”.
There’s no reason for anyone who is a classic rock fan to NOT own this album. The album is worth picking up for “One Last Soul” and “The Great Divide” alone. Unfortunately, at least as far as the mainstream and commercial outlets are concerned, this album has gone unnoticed in the States but has done pretty well in the UK. Easily another one of the year’s best albums and I’m glad Hughes has already stated he is working on album Number Two right now. Forget Chickenfoot, this is a “supergroup” that can actually turn in a great album!
I’m not sure if this is a “limited” edition or not but my copy from Amazon came with a DVD that features a music video, photos and interviews. It runs about 40 minutes, that’s a pretty good deal. Sometimes these DVDs that get thrown in are only 15-20 minutes of material. Truth be told, I haven’t watched it yet but because I like this album so much, I’ll probably pop in it in the DVD player soon.
Highlights: “Black Country”, “One Last Soul”, “The Great Divide”, “Down Again”, “Song of Yesterday”, “Sista Jane”, “Too Late for the Sun”
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Pistol Shot Gypsy – Smokin’ Drinkin’ Fightin’
Pistol Shot Gypsy – Smokin’ Drinkin’ Fightin’ (2009, self-released)
1. “Trainwreck” … 4:51
2. “Just My Luck” … 4:18
3. “The Showgun” … 3:35
4. “Slave Yourself” … 5:07
5. “Sands of Time” … 4:07
6. “Midnight Rider” … 3:40
7. “H-Bomb Queen” … 4:48
8. “Baby, Come Back” … 4:56
9. “Troy City Blues” … 4:22
Band:
Ron Travis – Vocals
Ian Haggerty – Guitar
Jeff Instasi – Guitar
James Thompson – Bass
Stevie “Boom Bots” – Drums
Pistol Shot Gypsy is a band based out of Rhode Island with a style of rock that is an amalgamation of blues rock, ’70s rock, ’80s rock, southern rock, metal and alternative rock. Based of the name and the album, I totally expected a southern rock/bar band sound but was surprised to hear the modern alternative influences as well. Despite the mix of styles PSG manages to break it all down into a no-frills rock ‘n’ roll sound.
From the high-powered alternative rock opener “Trainwreck” and the equally compelling alternative rock of “Slave Yourself” to the bluesy classic rock of “Midnight Rider” to the rowdy barroom rocker “Troy City Blues”, the band wears many hats but wears them well and I happen to think those are the four best songs on the album. The band could easily pursue any of these directions to the fullest and come out with a collection of solid songs but it is their display of all these sounds that makes Smokin’ Drinkin’ Fightin’ so interesting. It seems a lot of young rock bands are going the route of featuring many different styles on their albums and I have absolutely no problem with this. As long as the songs are good, it shouldn’t matter and it opens the bands up to many more opportunities than they would have it they stuck to only one particular genre.
Smokin’ Drinkin’ Fightin’ is a good listen through and through for fans of meat ‘n’ potatoes rock ‘n’ roll. Regardless of however you want to tag this band — that’s basically what this band plays!
Highlights: “Trainwreck”, “Slave Yourself”, “Midnight Rider”, “Troy City Blues”
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Whitesnake – Live: In the Shadow of the Blues
Whitesnake – Live: In the Shadow of the Blues (2008, Icarus Music – Argentina Import)
Original Release: 2006, SPV Records/Steamhammer Records
Disc One
1. “Bad Boys” … 6:22
2. “Slide It In” … 5:11
3. “Slow An’ Easy” … 6:54
4. “Love Ain’t No Stranger” … 4:31
5. “Judgement Day” … 5:34
6. “Is This Love” … 4:58
7. “Blues for Mylene ’06″ … 3:31
8. “Snake Dance ’06″ … 2:03
9. “Crying in the Rain” … 5:46
10. “Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City” … 8:44
11. “Fool for Your Loving” … 4:51
12. “Here I Go Again” … 5:53
13. “Still of the Night” … 8:38
Disc Two
1. “Burn – Stormbringer” … 8:38
2. “Give Me All Your Love” … 4:27
3. “Walking in the Shadow of the Blues” … 5:10
4. “The Deeper the Love” … 4:31
5. “Ready an’ Willing” … 5:41
6. “Don’t Break My Heart Again” … 6:08
7. “Take Me with You” … 7:50
8. “Ready to Rock” … 4:19
9. “If You Want Me” … 4:08
10. “All I Want Is You” … 4:12
11. “Dog” … 3:27
Band:
David Coverdale – Vocals
Doug Aldrich – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Reb Beach – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Uriah Duffy – Bass, Backing Vocals
Tommy Aldridge – Drums
Timothy Drury – Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Producer: David Coverdale, Dough Aldrich, Michael McIntyre
Having heard this album shortly after its release, I’ve wanted this album just as long but it seems like this was one of those albums that must’ve had a small pressing because it quickly shot up in price around the internet. Thankfully it was reissued (though I didn’t realize I was buying a reissue at the time) so the price was about $7 or $8 when I finally bought it online.
Though I’ve claimed to be a Whitesnake fan for years, this album along with Good to Be Bad really cemented my status as a fan and quickly catapulted Whitesnake near the top of my favorites list. Since Coverdale reformed the band in 2002, he’s kept amazingly talented musicians in the band and this particular line-up is probably one of the most impressive and powerful versions of the band ever as evidenced on this album. I can even vouch for them in concert because I was lucky enough to see them on the Good to Be Bad Tour (though the awesome Tommy Aldridge was no longer on drums). They have such a powerful, meaty, energetic sound. The Coverdale/Aldrich pairing has really produced some great things and I think this band has rejuvenated David Coverdale.
The only bad thing I can say about a performance here is sometimes Coverdale is straining, not often, but it happens. Which is odd because I don’t remember him sounding like this at all in concert, he sounded phenomenal then. Still, even when not 100% on his game, Coverdale is a better singer than most.
I’m not sure exactly when or where this album was recorded. They album gives credits to the 2005 and 2006 touring production team so I’m guessing these songs were culled from various performances though you can’t tell. If this was meant to give the illusion of being one show (or if it was truly was), the sequencing is weird. Disc One plays like an entire show from beginning to end while Disc Two’s live tracks seem kind of random and surely they wouldn’t end a show with “Take Me With You”! I guess they wanted to fit all the major Whitesnake songs onto the first disc.
Now, as if you can’t guess by now, the live portion of this album is fantastic but here’s the real reason I bought this album: for the four brand new studio songs that showed off this powerful new line-up. “Ready to Rock”, “If You Want Me” and “Dog” are welcome entries into the Whitesnake catalog. Much like the entire Good to Be Bad album, they are an updated take on the old Whitesnake song. Amazing songs. The only one that falls kinda short is “All I Want Is You” which is a ballad that tries to replicate “Is This Love”.
Great live album with some great new studio songs… Definitely an essential Whitesnake album!
Highlights: “Slide It In”, “Slow & Easy”, “Love Ain’t No Stranger”, “Blues for Mylene ’06″, “Crying in the Rain”, “Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City”, “Still of the Night”, “Walking in the Shadow of the Blues”, “Ready to Rock”, “If You Want Me”, “Dog”
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WHITESNAKE – Starkers In Tokyo
Whitesnake – Starkers In Tokyo (1997, EMI Records – UK Import)
1. “Sailing Ships” … 4:37
2. “Too Many Tears” … 4:13
3. “The Deeper The Love” … 4:09
4. “Love Ain’t No Stranger” … 3:15
5. “Can’t Go On” … 3:50
6. “Give Me All Your Love” … 3:21
7. “Don’t Fade Away” … 4:26
8. “Is This Love” … 3:09
9. “Here I Go Again” … 4:46
10. “Soldier of Fortune” … 4:22
Band:
David Coverdale – Vocals
Adrian Vandenberg – Guitar
Producer: David Coverdale
Starkers In Tokyo is a really cool live acoustic album that was recorded on July 5th, 1997 in Tokyo, Japan at an EMI Japan studio. It’s a very intimate setting with a small, restrained crowd (Coverdale cracks a few jokes about the reserved crowd and reveals himself to have a weird sense of humor).
This special show was put on at the request of EMI Japan in an attempt to help promote the Restless Heart album so it’s no surprise that three songs from the set list are from that album. Also, there are two songs from Slip of the Tongue. All five of those songs were written by Coverdale & Vandenberg. I’m surprised David didn’t go for some earlier Whitesnake material for this acoustic setting but I’m sure the Vandenberg factor played a role in that. Apparently, David hadn’t totally disowned the group’s late ’80s work just yet and was content to fill this album with ballads.
The album is really good, I’ve given this one multiple spins since winning it. It’s no secret that Coverdale is one of my favorite rock vocalists of all-time and this album is a great example of why. If it was anyone else singing these songs, it wouldn’t be half as good and that’s not a knock on the songs, it’s praise for Coverdale. And while I think Slip of the Tongue is just maybe the weakest Whitesnake album, “Sailing Ships” and “The Deeper The Love” come off really good in an acoustic setting. In fact, every song here does except “Here I Go Again”, which just doesn’t sound right without the bombastic production behind it.
It’s not the set list I would have chosen but this is another great entry into the Whitesnake discography.
Highlights: “Sailing Ships”, “Too Many Tears”, “The Deeper The Love”, “Love Ain’t No Stranger”, “Can’t Go On”, “Don’t Fade Away”
WHITESNAKE – Whitesnake
Whitesnake – Whitesnake (1987, Geffen Records)
1. “Crying in the Rain” … 5:37
2. “Bad Boys” … 4:09
3. “Still of the Night” … 6:38
4. “Here I Go Again” … 4:33
5. “Give Me All Your Love” … 3:30
6. “Is This Love” … 4:43
7. “Children of the Night” … 4:24
8. “Straight for the Heart” … 3:40
9. “Don’t Turn Away” … 5:07
Band:
David Coverdale – Lead Vocals
John Sykes – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Neil Murray – Bass
Aynsley Dunbar – Drums, Percussion
Additional Musicians:
Don Airey – Keyboards
Bill Cuomo – Keyboards
Adrian Vandenberg – Guitar solo (“Here I Go Again”)
Producer: Mike Stone & Keith Olsen
And with this, my Whitesnake collection is complete. I held off on getting this album for years because I knew the whole album by heart since I had owned the cassette since 1996 or so. Out of boredom, I finally plunked down a couple of bucks online to pick this one up.
Despite being the band’s most successful time, this really began the worst era for the band (which even Coverdale himself now admits). Released 3 years before this album, Slide It In was a perfect blend of their old blues-rock sound and pop-metal sound of the day but this cheesy album went overboard with the pop-metal and commercial rock sound and it has a high filler quotient as a result. Sure, there are a few classics here like the epic “Still of the Night” and the monster hits “Here I Go Again” and “Is This Love” but the blues influenced is basically gone and in its place is a lot of generic ’80s hard rock. At least Coverdale puts on another fine performance but the songs don’t really call for him to show off his voice too much.
This is one of Whitesnake’s worst albums but that said, it’s still an okay album that used to get a lot of play from me. I would rather listen to anything before or after this album and Slip of the Tongue though.
Highlights: “Crying in the Rain”, “Still of the Night”, “Here I Go Again”, “Is This Love”, “Don’t Turn Away”
DAVID COVERDALE – Into the Light
David Coverdale – Into the Light (2000, Dragonshead)
1. “…Into the Light” … 1:16
2. “River Song” … 7:19
3. “She Give Me…” … 4:12
4. “Don’t You Cry” … 5:47
5. “Love is Blind” … 5:44
6. “Slave” … 4:51
7. “Cry for Love” … 4:52
8. “Living on Love” … 6:31
9. “Midnight Blue” … 4:58
10. “Too Many Tears” … 5:59
12. “Don’t Lie to Me” … 4:43
13. “Wherever You May Go” … 3:59
Musicians:
David Coverdale – Lead Vocals, Guitar (“…Into the Light”)
Doug Bossi – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Earl Slick – Guitar
Marco Mendoza – Bass, Spanish Guitar, Backing Vocals
Denny Carmassi – Drums
Derek Hilland – Keyboards
Mike Finnigan – Organ, Piano
John X. Volaitis – Keyboards, Percussion, Harp
Dylan Vaughan – Guitar
Tony Franklin – Bass
Bjorn Thorsud – Tambourine
Jimmy Z – Harmonica
Linda Rowberry – Vocals (“Wherever You May Go”)
Producer: David Coverdale
Not surprisingly, Into the Light, David Coverdale’s first official solo album in over 20 years sounds pretty similar to Restless Heart, the Whitesnake album that came out three years prior to this release. Restless Heart was originally intended to be a solo release but the record company interfered (as they are prone to do) and released it under the name “David Coverdale & Whitesnake”. Of course, the Whitesnake name was featured prominently on that album’s cover.
Well, Mr. Coverdale finally get his way and full solo credit on this release from mystery label Dragonshead. I see many listings online claiming this album was released by EMI but I don’t see their name anywhere in the credits and I can’t find anything about Dragonshead online. Coverdale’s vanity label? Anyway, Into the Light continues Coverdale’s journey back to his roots and there’s a few bluesy rockers and ballads on here that would sit comfortably on any early Whitesnake release like “River Song”, “She Give Me”, “Cry For Love” and ‘Living On Love”. “Don’t Lie To Me” is the hardest rocker of the bunch that seems to pull together all eras of Whitesnake, much like the entire Good to Be Bad album did.
Alongside the bluesy numbers is also a collection of fairly mellow melodic rock/pop numbers which don’t really intrigue me all that much but apparently this whole album was very cathartic for Coverdale who was still trying to find himself after allowing himself and Whitesnake to fall into the “hair metal” image in that was so popular in the late ’80s.
For some reason, Coverdale likes to cover his own material (to his credit, he did it quite successfully). He does it again here with a new version of “Too Many Tears”, which is just a slower version of an already slow song… which was released on Restless Heart only THREE YEARS earlier. Given the even slower tempo, Coverdale voice is restrained and the song just doesn’t work as well. Why even bother?
I do have to say that “Wherever You May Go” is a fantastic ballad, one of the best I’ve heard from Coverdale. I remember this album coming out in 2000 and had heard this song online and loved it, but didn’t buy the album. I guess I was afraid the whole album would be too mellow for me but this song that constant play on my computer back in those glorious Napster days.
The final word on Into the Light is that it’s a decent album. Anyone who liked Restless Heart will probably like this but there’s a few mellow moments on here I could have done without.
Highlights: “Slave”, “Cry For Love”, “Living On Love”, “Don’t Lie To Me”, “Wherever You May Go”
WHITESNAKE – Trouble
Whitesnake – Trouble (1978, Geffen Records)
1. “Take Me With You” … 4:44
2. “Love to Keep You Warm” .. .3:43
3. “Lie Down (A Modern Love Song)” … 3:14
4. “Day Tripper” … 3:47
5. “Nighthawk (Vampire Blues)” … 3:40
6. “The Time is Right for Love” … 3:27
7. “Trouble” … 4:48
8. “Belgian Tom’s Hat Trick” … 3:25)
9. “Free Flight” … 4:05
10. “Don’t Mess with Me” … 3:18
Band:
David Coverdale – Vocals
Micky Moody – Guitar
Bernie Marsden – Guitar, Vocals (“Free Flight”)
Neil Murray – Bass
Dave Dowle – Drums
Jon Lord – Keyboards
Producer: Martin Birch
Though it isn’t the first album to bare to Whitesnake name, Trouble is the first full-fledged group effort because Snakebite (released earlier in the same year) featured a handful of David Coverdale solo material that was recorded before Whitesnake was formed.
It’s amazing how well put together the sound and direction of this band was right out of the gate. Trouble sets the tone for the rest of the group’s blues-rock era. But could we really expect anything less given the talent involved? Coverdale delivers his typically wonderful vocal performance throughout (though he would get even better on later albums), Jon Lord’s keys dance delicately and enhance the songs instead of bogging them down and the guitar duo of Moody & Marsden is quickly becoming one of my favorites and has convinced me I really need to buy those Company of Snakes albums. Neil Murray also puts in a fine performance as does drummer Dave Dowle.
There’s a number of notable songs on this release, even if upon first listen, none really stuck out to me. The band takes The Beatles’ “Day Tripper” and gave it a blues-rock feel to pretty cool effect. Dig that voice box! “Belgian Tom’s Hat Trick” is an awesome instrumental and no offense to Mr. Coverdale, but it’s one of the best songs on the album. Then there’s “Free Flight” which features the vocal talents of Bernie Marsden. Again, it may be missing Coverdale but it’s a great number.
Now that I’ve heard this album about eight or nine times all the way through, I enjoy all the songs to one degree or another. There’s no immediate “hit” but this is great 1970s hard rockin’ blues.
Picked this one up used on Amazon.com for only a few bucks.
Highlights: “Take Me With You”, “Day Tripper”, “Trouble”, “Belgian Tom’s Hat Trick”, “Free Flight”, “Don’t Mess With Me”
CHARLOTTE – Medusa Groove
Charlotte – Medusa Groove (2010, Eonian Records)
1. “Medusa Groove” … 4:57
2. “Woman Behind The Eyes” … 3:28
3. “Siren” … 3:37
4. “Little Devils” … 5:55
5. “Miss Necrophilia” … 3:45
6. “She Get It Up” … 2:11
7. “Got Love On The Line” … 3:36
8. “Changes” … 4:39
9. “Roadhouse Of Love” … 2:52
10. “Ocean Of Love And Mercy” … 3:17
11. “Invisible Man” … 3:05
12. “All Tied Up” … 4:32
Band:
Eric Ganz – Lead Vocals
Nick DiBacco – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Vinnie Cacciotti – Guitar
Chris Colovas – Bass, Backing Vocals
Eric D. Brewton – Drums, Backing Vocals
Producer: Mike Wolf, Marc DeSisto
Charlotte brings a credible blues-based influence to the typical hair metal fare that you might hear coming from the Eonian reissue label. They were formed in Los Angeles in 1986 but like many ’80s rock bands that didn’t “make it” they folded in the face of grunge during the early ’90s. They cite Great White, Led Zeppelin and Guns N’ Roses as influences and those influences are apparent from the album’s opener “Medusa Groove”. Vocalist Eric Ganz sounds just a bit like Axl at times and comes across as similar to Jack White (or is that Robert Plant?) too. They don’t have the ferocity or sleaziness of GNR but they share a more down-to-earth sound with them that many bands in the late ’80s lacked.
The more I listen to this album, the more I think of Great White. It’s hard rock but it’s laid back and not overly aggressive with pounding drums, screeching vocals or super-fast solos. The songs are allowed to develop at their own pace. I can’t help but imagine some of these songs in a smoky biker bar setting. Maybe on a soundtrack for Road House!
According to the liner notes, the band was on their way to success in the L.A. music scene as they played at legendary venues like the Whisky, Roxy and Troubadour and opened for Paul Stanley, Vixen, XYZ and EZO. Sadly, despite flirtations with Arista Records, Giant Records and Mercury Records a label contract never came about. I’m sure the changing of the musical climate had something to do with that. If that was the case, I totally agree with the labels — had they signed Charlotte, they would’ve flopped but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t have created and hadn’t already created some good music.
Medusa Groove is a collection of solid hard rock recorded from 1988-1992 and (according to album credits) 2009. I think “Roadhouse of Love” is the sole recent track and if it is, it proves the band still has it and Eric Ganz’s voice is strong as ever. The album is well worth a listen for any those that like the darker bluesier side of hair metal (yes, that side of hair metal exists). Hopefully the band is planning some new material because “Roadhouse of Love” fits rest in with the rest of this album.
Highlights: “Medusa Groove”, “Woman Behind The Eyes”, “Little Devils”, “Miss Necrophilia”, “Got Love On The Line”, “Changes”, “Roadhouse of Love”
WHITESNAKE – Slide It In
Whitesnake – Slide It In (1984, Geffen Records)
1. “Slide It In” … 3:20
2. “Slow an’ Easy” … 6:08
3. “Love Ain’t No Stranger” … 4:18
4. “All or Nothing” … 3:40
5. “Gambler” … 3:58
6. “Guilty of Love” … 3:24
7. “Hungry for Love” … 3:28
8. “Give Me More Time” … 3:42
9. “Spit It Out” … 4:26
10. “Standing in the Shadow” … 3:42
Band:
David Coverdale – Vocals
Mel Galley – Guitar, Backing Vocals
John Sykes – Guitar
Neil Murray – Bass
Cozy Powell – Drums
Jon Lord – Keyboards
Producer: Martin Birch
Slide It In is supposedly Whitesnake’s U.S. debut. I say “supposedly” because by 1984, they had already released six studio albums and one live album and while most of those came out under the EMI label in Europe, they were also released on Geffen which was the band’s U.S. label at the time. So either those albums were released alongside the European versions or Geffen dumped a lot of Whitesnake albums onto the American public in the mid to late ’80s!
Nonetheless, the U.S. version of Slide It In is mixed quite differently than the European version (that mix was criticized upon release in the UK). I have not heard that version but from what I’ve read about it, in the U.S. mix the keyboards and bass were lowered and the guitars and drums were put more up front at Geffen’s request. Also, by the time the album was to be released in the U.S., guitarist Mick Moody and bassist Colin Hodgkinson had left the band and their parts were re-recorded by John Sykes and the returning Neil Murray.
Anyway, this album starts the band’s commercial rise in the United States and maybe what old school Whitesnake fans would say is their musical decline. In my opinion, Slide It In is a fantastic album that acts as a bridge between the band’s early ’80s blues-based hard rock and their late ’80s commercial pop-metal sound. “Slide It In”, “Slow an’ Easy” and “Love Ain’t No Stranger” are a lethal three song line-up. Many albums have a great opening one-two punch but a one-two-three punch ?! Classic Whitesnake songs that are three of my all-time faves from the band.
How about these lyrics? Prime Coverdale. What did you think “Slide It In” and “Slow an’ Easy” would be about? What about “Spit It Out”? It’s obvious what he’s talking about there: “you took my love in the palm of your hand an’ showed me what a woman could do…” It’s awesome and I say that with no sense of irony. I love it.
By the way, check out this Whitesnake line-up. Coverdale has always done a great job of keeping Whitesnake stocked with top players. Sometimes I think Black Sabbath, Whitesnake, Deep Purple and Rainbow had some type of musician exchange going. Maybe they held drafts every year.
Slide it in slow an’ easy then spit it out if you don’t like it!
Highlights: “Slide It In”, “Slow an’ Easy”, “Love Ain’t No Stranger”, “Gambler”, “Spit It Out”
AC/DC – The Razor’s Edge
AC/DC – The Razor’s Edge [Remastered] (2003, Columbia Records)
Original Release: 1990, Atco Records
1. “Thunderstruck” … 4:53
2. “Fire Your Guns” … 2:54
3. “Moneytalks” … 3:46
4. “The Razor’s Edge” … 4:23
5. “Mistress for Christmas” … 4:00
6. “Rock Your Heart Out” … 4:07
7. “Are You Ready” … 4:10
8. “Got You by the Balls” … 4:30
9. “Shot of Love” … 3:57
10. “Let’s Make It” … 3:32
11. “Goodbye & Good Riddance to Bad Luck” … 3:14
12. “If You Dare” … 3:18
Band:
Brian Johnson – Lead Vocals
Angus Young – Guitar
Malcolm Young – Guitar, Backing Vocals
Cliff Williams – Bass, Backing Vocals
Chris Slade – Drums, Percussion
Producer: Bruce Fairbairn
Even though The Razor’s Edge was a commercial success and critical success (for the most part), I STILL say it is one of AC/DC’s most underrated albums. People like it but they don’t like it enough as far as I’m concerned! It’s a near perfect album and for years it was my favorite AC/DC album until I recently re-listened to Highway to Hell.
This album is “ate up” (as they might say in the south) with anthems. “Thunderstruck”, “Fire Your Guns”, “Moneytalks”, “Are You Ready”… So catchy, such great choruses you’d think Mutt Lange was back working with his old buddies and in the producer’s chair! Not that Bruce Fairbairn is any slouch. He’s had his share of producer’s credit for really catchy rock as well (Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Poison). Anyway, these songs are just classic AC/DC that ranks up with any they’ve ever done, in my opinion.
The lyrics are as fun and naughty as ever. A special nod goes out to “Mistress for Christmas”, one of the best song titles ever and it really appealed to me as horny teenager.
By far, the best song of the bunch is “The Razor’s Edge”. If anyone wanted to try to argue that AC/DC is evil, they should cite this song as an example. It just sounds so evil and dark, I love it.
When I first bought this album, I got it on cassette. After the AC/DC remasters came out in 2003, I was tempted to buy it but I never pulled the trigger. I finally used a Best Buy gift card I had leftover from Christmas ’09 to give me a reason to finally pick this one up on CD.
Essential AC/DC.
Highlights: “Thunderstruck”, “Fire Your Guns”, “Moneytalks”, “The Razors Edge”, “Mistress for Christmas”, “Rock Your Heart Out”, “Are You Ready”, “Let’s Make It”
