My All Time Fave Albums Pt. 20

With all the graduations taking place at this time of year, I realized that this weekend marks 25 years since my own High School grad, and have been feeling a bit nostalgic and a touch sentimental.  I remember the friends I had, the sports we played, and the girls we liked.  I remember late night drives with the music way too loud, the cramming for tests (yeah right), and just the overall vibe that you were on top of the world (but didn't know it yet).  So this post is for all my fellow grads of 1987.  Some of you I still see, and some I haven't since the last day we left school.  I hope you are all well!  So for fun, this post will be my top 10 albums of 1987.  There are some from that year that I discovered later, so I'm only including the albums that touched me at the time, and were listened to ALOT in my final year of HS and 1st year of college.

10. Frehley's Comet - S/T

I remember my fellow KISS fans and I were waiting for this one to come out, and we weren't disappointed when it did.  The Space Ace was back with his first solo album after leaving KISS.  Ace has always been know for his guitar pyrotechnics, but this record (along with his 78 KISS solo album) shows he can write a catchy tune as well.  The record opens with the brilliant autobiographical Rock Soldiers, Breakout, and first single Into The Night.  The album is pretty much staight ahead hard rock, but contains some really cool moments like the poppy Dolls.

A record I haven't listened to in awhile, but have always dug it, and always takes me back to the summer of 1987.

9. Faster Pussycat - S/T

I'm pretty sure I picked this one up thinking the band looked cool (LOL).  Anyway, what you have hear is everything that was right with the whole Sunset Strip sound of the mid 80's.  A touch of Stones, a bit of Aerosmith, and a pinch of New York Dolls ,and you have Faster Pussycats debut.  Still gets regular spins from me today.  Stripped down production, and dirty attitude, this record is full of great songs like Babylon, Don't Change That Song, and semi hit Bathroom Wall.  Never did get to see them live, but they still tour although it's a completely different animal now.  In 1987, this kicked ass...and still does.

8. Dokken - Back For The Attack

Oh how I love this record.  The last great album from the original lineup.  This was Dokken at their peak.  Brilliant songs, catchy choruses, killer lead work...

Not a dud on the record, and contains some of Dokken's heaviest tracks like Kiss Of Death and Lost Behind The Wall.  Tunes like Prisioner and Burning Like A Flame show why Dokken were one of the better bands of the day, and why this baby sold 1,000,000+ copies (lets see some Amercian Idol crap do that now).  This album also contained the track Dream Warriors, which was the theme of the Nightmare On Elm Street movie from '87.  A fantastic record, without a bad track.  I would recommend this to anyone who likes their rock hard and melodic.

7. Helloween - Keeper Of The Seven Keys, Pt.1

I discovered Helloween on Much Music, when music stations used to play videos (remember?). Halloween and Future World were in regular rotation on their Metal shows, and I was all over it.  Along the lines of classic Maiden and Scorpions, with elements of the then bubbling Thrash scene, Keeper Pt.1 is one of the unsung records of the day.  Helloween along with the aformentioned bands pretty much influenced a generation of European power metal that was to come in the following decade.  In the past couple of years, I purchased the special remaster of this record, and it still sounds great.  Michael Kiske is one of the better vocalists out there, and their blend of melody and speed was (is) right up my alley.

6. Great White - Once Bitten

This one has alot of great memories attached to it, and I still love listening to it today.  Great White was a band that probably were never given as much credit as they deserved.  Their roots were in 70's rock, Zeppelin, Free and Humble Pie, all bands that I love.  They mixed that up with a moden attitude, and came up with what I feel was their best record.  Originally the singles Rock Me and Lady Red Light, with their accompanying videos, turned me into a fan, but this record is full of solid tracks.  All Over Now, Mistreater, and one of the classiest ballads ever in Save Your Love.  Another platinium album from the day when bands wrote and performed their own music, and still continue to this day.  

5. Def Leppard - Hysteria

Remember the days when Def Lep ruled the world?  This is not my fave album from them, but it was the first album I bought when I moved away from home, and has alot of cool memories attached to it.  The first few spins of this album didn't grab me, but once I got into it, I loved it.  Alot of the tunes have been overplayed to death over the years (Pour Some Sugar On Me, Animal and Love Bites) ,but the beauty is in the deeper tracks like Gods Of War, Run Riot, and the excellent title track.  Went with my buddy Cliff (Hi!) to this show in the round and rocked out in the front row.  A great record from a great band that was one of my faves at the time.  In terms of production, songs and sales, Def Lep never even came close after this.  

4. The Cult - Electric

Outside of this album, and maybe the previous album, Love, I'm not a huge fan of The Cult.  However, this record might be in my Top 20 all time.  When I heard the Rick Rubin was producing it, I knew it would be good.  This album reminds me of summertime.  We listened to this on many road trips.  I went to see them live at the Max Bell Arena (with a then unknow band, Guns n' Roses opening!).  The band I played in at the time jammed out (Hi Greg!) to tunes like Wild Flower, Lil' Devil, and the albums best track, King Contrary Man.  A great hard rock album, brilliantly produced with its mind firmly in the 1970's...a cover of Born To Be Wild proves that.  Still gets regular spins!  I was disappointed with the followup, and watched them get booed off stage opening for Metallica...oh well.

3. White Lion - Pride

2,000,000 people bought this record, so I know I'm not alone.  I'm ranking this one high because I still listen to it often, and again, it has lots of great memories attached to it.  Featuring the one two punch of vocalist Mike Tramp and guitar wizard Vitto Bratta, Pride ia a record that just about anyone can listen to.  There are hard rockers like Hungry and Lonely Nights, there is a great ballad in When the Children Cry, and a tour de force in the classic Lady Of The Valley.  This is one of those albums that could sing every word of.  Listened to it alot then, and listen to it now.  Never did get to see them live, but had the opportunity when they opened for AC/DC and Aerosmith (didn't go though).  I like all of their stuff, but Pride is their best record IMO.  Rock n' Roar!

2. Anthrax - Among The Living

Wow...did we listen to this one ALOT.  Their breakthough album, and with good reason.  A perfect thrash album.  Speed, melody, and more than one reference to the brilliant mind of Stephen King.  The boys and I rocked out with this one on many occasions, and it usually involved beer.  Still one of my fave albums, and was lucky enough to see them open for KISS on this tour.  Fave tunes include Caught In A Mosh, A Skeleton In The Closet, and speed fest, Imitation Of Life (I still hear you singing Pat!) . A great record from a great band I follow to this day.  With this record, and it's predecessor,  Spreading The Disease, Anthrax stood aside Metallica, Megadeth ,and Slayer as the Gods Of Thrash.  I might listen to this on my next run!

1 .Guns N' Roses - Appetite For Destruction

Really?  Is there any other choice for my fave album of 1987?  Has their been a better hard rock album since? NO.  As mentioned earlier, I was lucky enough to catch G n'R opening for The Cult on their first tour.  We had no idea about the band, but I can tell you, I bought the cassette the next day.  Again, this record was listened to probably far too much, and the singles have been overplayed.  This is a record that defined a generation, and is one of the top 10 most important records in the history of rock.  Not a dud on the album, you all know the songs, an album that captures the essence of rock.  I'm not a fan of the band now, but this record can come with me to my grave as a document of my 1987, and of an example of what rock and roll should be. 

So to all my fellow classmates of 1987, I wish you all well, and hope you are all happy.  High School was a long time ago, but feels like yesterday...maybe 'cause I'm never growing up. Enjoy!!

My All Time Fave Albums Pt. 19

For me, the years 1980-1985 yielded so much fantastic music, and was literally the soundtrack to my life (and still continues to be lol).  For those checking out my blog it's pretty obvious I lean to this era of music.  This record is no different.  From the golden age of hard rock, another true classic, and not to be forgotten. From the year 1984, Dokken's sophmore release, Tooth And Nail.

What grabbed me initially about Dokken was hearing their first single, Breaking The Chains, on a compilation.  I'm pretty sure it was an album review for this in the back pages of Circus, along with that single that made me want to check them out.  I would definitely list Dokken amongst my fave bands, and the stretch they had through the 80's was as good (or better) than any of the acts of the day.  They did have some success, but not to the level of say, Ratt or Motley Crue, but I will put those records up against anything from that time period.  Dokken was the perfect blend of heavy and melodic.  Although Don Dokken was the voice, the secret weapons in this band were guitarist George Lynch, and bassist/vocalist Jeff Pilson. "Wild" Mick Brown would be listed as one of my drum influences as well.

This record just flat out rocks, with brilliant songwriting ,vocals, and possibly one of Lynch's best performances on vinyl (check out the solo in Into The Fire).  It has great metallic tunes in the title track and When Heaven Comes Down.  It has great commercial appeal in tunes like Just Got Lucky and uber ballad, Alone Again. It does not have a bad song.  This one got alot of play back in the day, and I'm actually spinning it right now.  A reminder of when music was real, and of a band that was on to bigger and better things (before it all came apart).  A great time for music, and I'm glad I was there.  For the old schoolers who follow my blog, dig this one out and play it LOUD.  Hold your lighters aloft and enjoy Alone Again. Dokken!

My Fave Albums Of All Time Pt.18

Well, it's been awhile... I didn't mean to go for so long without posting, but I have been pretty busy and have not been inspired enough to write anything, so now I'm back.  I'll try to be more regular with my posts.  I did get some feedback from friends telling me it's time to do some more, so here we go.  This album is a blast from the past, and was a fave in High School in our little circle of metalheads...this one is for you, Steve.

 A band you don't hear too much of outside of hard rock circles, they have a string of brilliant records that all started with the debut from 1984, W.A.S.P.

In 1984, metal was truly at it's commercial peak, and Los Angeles was a hotbed for new acts being signed to major labels. W.A.S.P. had been going for a few years, and had already built a reputation for their live shows (we'll get to that in a bit). As I've mentioned before, I always loved a band with an image, and here was a band that had elements of KISS, Alice Cooper and early Motley, with a touch of horror...but they also had the songs, and that is why I love this record.  I remember picking up the cassette of this, and their first 12 inch single, Animal (F#@k Like A Beast) at WEM in the fall of 1984.

One of the things that set W.A.S.P. apart for me, other than the visual aspect, was lead vocalist Blackie Lawless.  That voice, or maybe a roar if you will, was the soundtrack to many Friday nights.

The album is full of  great hard rock, and contains two of their most famous songs in I Wanna Be Somebody and L.O.V.E. Machine.  But it's the deep tracks such as my fave, The Flame, and full out crusher, Hellion, that really light up this album.  Add to that, the infamous stage show that included a torture rack, fire and smoke, and throwing raw meat into the audience, and you have a recipe for controversy and album sales. And we all loved it.

The debut record will always be my fave, but the band did go on to do a string of great albums including the follow up, The Last Command, as well as Inside The Electric Circus, The Headless Children and The Crimson Idol, all of which I highly recommend.  Here is a video of some classic W.A.S.P.  I'll be back sooner than later with another great record from my (and probably your) past. Horns Up!  

My Fave Albums Of All Time #17 AOR (you haven't heard or don't remember)

After last weekends post one some of my fave classic AOR albums, I thought it would be cool to list a few of my fave obscurities from the genre.  Just because they are a little more obscure or forgotten, does not mean that they are not incredible.  Most times it was a case of bad timing, poor management, record company politics, or a combination of those.  So for fun, here is a list of some of the forgotten gems in AOR that I have always enjoyed.

1. Signal - Loud & Clear (1989)

I don't remember how I stumbled across this one, but it was probably 10 years ago or so, and found out that ex King Kobra vocalist, Mark Free, sang on this project.  This record is a perfect example of how AOR/Hard Rock should sound. It is also a perfect example of the control record companies had over bands on their roster.  I read the band played something like 6 shows to promote the record, with no support from the big guys.  Oh well, we still have the record to listen to.  At the time this album should have been huge, almost every song has hit single potential, with brilliant songwriting and performances from Mark Free and co. Think 80's Foreigner and Bad Company mixed with Bad English.  This album is one of the best of the genre.  Gets regular spins by me. A Classic!

2. Airrace - Shaft Of Light (1984)

From the back pages of Hit Parader magazine, I discovered another classic of the genre.  Airrace is a British band that featured none other than Jason Bonham on drums.  This is their debut and only album (until last years Back To The Start).  Another album that should have been huge, great songs, great production (courtesy of Beau Hill (Ratt), and the stunning vocals of Keith Murrell. Shaft Of Light is full of melodic rock and the whole record is full of catchy rockin' tunes. Faves include First One Over The Line, Didn't Want To Lose Ya, and Brief Encounter. If the Simmons drums and keyboards were pushed out a bit, this record would be along more of the hard rock of the time.  A brilliant album, with fantastic vocals and guitar, not to mention Bonhams drumming.  A must have.

3. Giuffria - S/T (1984)

This one is a little more familiar to some.  Ex-Angel keyboardist Gregg Giuffria put this band together in the early 80's and did two albums.  The S/T is a slice of lush, prime AOR.  Keyboards are up front, along with some tasty playing from guitarist Craig Goldy.  Vocalist David Glen Eisley gets to show off his pipes all over the record.

This record did do a bit of business at the time, had two great singles in the amazing Call To The Heart and Lonely In Love, and the band had the opening slot on Deep Purples reunion tour.  As a fan of Giuffria's previous band, the mighty Angel, I have always dug this record.  Along with the above mentioned singles, Turn Me On and Line Of Fire feature a more rocking sound.  The album ends on a proggy note with Out Of (The) Blue.  Check it out!

4. Magnum - Vigilante (1986)

UK rockers Magnum had already released 5 records, including the massive On A Storytellers Night, before Vigilante was released in 1986. Well known in thier homeland, Magnum should be mentioned in the same breath as their US contemporaries Journey and Foreigner.  Roger Taylor of Queen took over production duties on Vigilante, and his influence can be heard throughout the record. That Queen influence, along with the incredible vocals of Bob Catley and guitar work of Tony Clarkin make this album a great experience. Songs like Lonely Night and When The World Comes Down should have been all over the radio in North America. Lots of rock on the record too with Red On The Highway and the title track.  Cover art notwithstanding, Vigilante stands amongst Magnum's best works.

5. New England - S/T (1979)

This AOR rarity from 1979 is one of my faves.  I found out about these guys because being a KISS fan, I knew that it was produced by him, and the band opened up for KISS in Canada and the US on their Dynasty tour.  I would say their sound is a blend of classic KISS and ELO.  This record is known mainly for the Top 40 hit Don't Ever Wanna Lose Ya, but the entire record is full of great rock and AOR.  Tracks like P.U.N.K. and Shoot show that New England could rock with the best of them.  A really underrated act that should have been bigger.  Members Jimmy Waldo and Gary Shea went on to work with Graham Bonnet and Yngwie Malmsteen in Alcatrazz.  Hunt this one down!

That's all for now, I'll be back with more of my fave albums and lost gems soon! MUYA!

My Fave Albums Of All Time #16 Classic AOR

I"ve been known to go on tangents with my music, listening to bands entire discographys, jumping from genre to genre...One day it's Malmsteen, and the next it's Styx.  That just how it goes.  As long as it's rocking, I'm usually on board.  Lately, I've been spinning alot of classic AOR (Album Oriented Rock).  The term was really just used for radio stations back in the day, but now it represents an entire genre of music.  It can be everyone from Air Supply and Michael Bolton to Journey and later 80's hard rock bands. Soaring vocals, and lots of keys.  So having said that, I stick to the stuff that is more guitar and hard rock based, rather than the really sappy style.  I thought it would be fun to compile a quick list of my Top 5 AOR albums.  I'm gonna do two lists, the first will be releases you are mostly familiar with, and the second list will be some of the hidden gems of the genre.  Enjoy!

1. Journey - Escape (1981)

Really for me, this is the Granddaddy of them all.  The peak of Journey's popularity, and one of the greatest rock albums of all time. Journey had some good records before this one, but Escape is a bonafide classic.  Steve Perry, Neil Schon and new recruit Jonathan Cain (The Baby's), along with Steve Smith and Ross Valory took their classic sound to a whole new level with brilliant performances and production.  Don't Stop Believin', Who's Crying Now and Open Arms were the hits, but the secret to this album is the deeper tracks like Stone In Love, Mother, Father and the title track.  I loved this record as a kid, and do to this day.  A true rock classic, and an album I would think any rock fan should have in their collection. 9 million people can't be wrong.  Bask in it's awesomeness!

2. Foreigner - 4 (1981)

1981 was a great year for music, metal was exploding everywhere, and rock acts were releasing the best music of their careers.  Like Journey, Foreigner has some great records leading up to this, but this one blew the doors open.  Produced by the legendary Mutt Lange, Foreigner took their classic rock roots to a new level and landed them a #1 record.  No easy feat in 1981.  Trimmed down to a four piece, Foreigner continued on with a rockier sound with tunes like lead off track Night Life, I'm Gonna Win and the classic Juke Box Hero.  Lou Gramm proves once again he is one of the greatest American rock vocalists ever.  This record also contains the brilliant Urgent, as well as uber ballad Waiting for a Girl Like You. A record that sat along nicely with all my more metal releases.  A classic record.

3. Asia - Asia (1982)

Please, no 40 Year Old Virgin jokes...Supergroup Asia's debut landed on an unsuspecting rock audience in 1982.  Featuring members of classic prog bands Yes, King Crimson and ELP, Asia is a perfect blend of prog, rock and pop. It went to #1, and sold like pancakes.  Sure the hit Heat Of The Moment is the touchstone here, but 2nd single, Only Time Will Tell, and deep rockers like Wildest Dreams and Sole Survivor are what really grabbed me.  I vividly remember listening to my friends copy (Hi Pat!) in Junior High. A great record that contains killer performances with a pop rock attitude with prog rock sensibilities. Still sound good to these ears today.  Follow up Alpha, although a little lighter is another solid record from Asia.  Glad to hear that the original members are still working together.

4. Survivor - Vital Signs (1984)

Survivor is one of those bands that are known for "That Song".  Get over it people. While Eye Of The Tiger is a great song on a better album, Survivor have a wealth of great rock music in their catalog.  Vital Signs was the 2nd follow up to the above mentioned, and is a fantastic example of great AOR.  Brilliant vocals from new recruit Jimi Jamison, and a great blend of ballads and rockers, with some of the best choruses I have heard. Lots of fond High School memories with the hits I Can't Hold You Back, High On You, and one of the best ballads ever in The Search Is Over.  Again, there is more to the record than the hits.  Check out Broken Promises, Popular Girl and Everlasting.  A record I enjoy more now than I did at the time...and I love it now.  Hey, us metalheads need to clear the palate, right?

5. Styx - Pieces Of Eight (1978)

Maybe not a true AOR album, but after mentioning Journey and Foreigner, I have to say Styx because they are one of the best bands from the US ever, and this album features elements of AOR, Prog and Hard Rock.  Maybe Cornerstone would be a better choice for AOR, but I like Pieces Of Eight better.  Not a dud on this album, and features all the rocking pomp you would expect from Styx.  My fave Styx song Blue Collar Man is here, along with rockers Great White Hope, Queen Of Spades and Renegade. In this day and age, the younger people don't realize how incredible some of this music was (is).  At the time this baby went triple platinum and was a precursor for alot of the melodic rock and metal that dominated the 80's.  A great spin and an example of everything right with rock and roll. STYX!

That list was pretty easy to compile, but there are a hundred more I could add.  Although Hard Rock is my main deal, the above bands and albums have always been a big part of my life.  Next up this weekend is my Top 5 AOR you probably have not heard or remember! See ya next time for another blast from the past!

Lost Classic #2

Back with another lost classic from the past.  Something you may know a bit, or are totally unfamilar with...

This one comes from the streets of San Fran in the year 1989...Vain - No Respect.

This one was definitely under the radar for a lot of us. This album gets lumped in what alot of people call "Hair Metal"...sigh...I hate that term.  As I've said in the past...if you were there, at that time, the music that came from that period was Heavy Metal.  Slayer was Metal, and so was this. No, they sound totally different, but it was all part of a bigger scene.  That term came out waaayyy after the fact, and has always pissed me off...rant over.

Back to Vain.  This was their debut, it came probably a few years late, but is a great piece of sleazed up hard rockin' Metal. Think classic Crue doing Guns n' Roses, and you get the picture.  Lots of guitars, great vocals, and a sound you just won't hear today unless it's by some new band that is dreaming they came from the 80's and not 2012.

OK, so maybe there is alot of hair here------>, but the sound that comes from your speakers is straight up 1989 California Metal.  No Respect is quite an achievement for a debut record.  At this point they had graced the cover of a couple of music rags, as well as opened for the mighty G n'R.

The album opens with the gritty Secrets, a nice raw start to the record.  Follow that up with Who's Watching You and single, Beat The Bullet, and you have a killer album filled with attitude and streetwise chops. Deeper tracks like Down For The 3rd Time and Laws Against Love show they should have stood right alongside Skid Row, Tesla and G n'R in terms of sales and support. A super underrated classic from the late 80's that actually signified everything that was right with hard rock at the time.  While many of their peers faded into obscurity with sub par releases, Vain released a excellent album that they can always be proud of.  Here's a clip from the record for my fellow old schoolers.

My All Time Fave Albums Pt. 15

In honour of an almost all original reunion and album, I thought I'd post my fave album by the legendary Van Halen.  That album would be Van Halen II.  

Growing up, I was never a huge Van Halen fan.  I only knew a few singles, and just never really wanted to check them out.  In interviews I always found them (DLR in particular) to be arrogant and brash, and that turned me off of them. Their albums were too short, had too many covers, I just never gave them a chance.  Obviously, this was an error in judgement. One day I decided to pick up some classic Roth era VH, and came home with Van Halen II. The cassette I had purchased had the sides reversed, so mine opens with Light Up The Sky, which continues to be one of my top 5 VH tunes.  My feelings about VH were never the same again.  I quickly collected the entire back catalog ,and the love affair began. The thing about this record (and all the classic Roth era stuff) is not what they play, but what they don't play.  They keep it simple, the production is always perfect (thanks to Ted Templeman), Edwards brilliant guitar flouishes, and Roth's unique vocal stylings are the reason why Van Halen is one of the Top 3 bands EVER to come out of the US. The ultimate feel good party band...nobodys depressed when listening to VH (unless we're talking VH III, that's another story).

Van Halen II  doesn't carry the hit status that some of the other records do (I'm a sucker for an underdog), but has fantastic deep tracks like D.O.A., Beautiful Girls, Somebody Get Me A Doctor and the single Dance The Night Away. Just listing those songs off reminds of why this is my fave album from them.  Maybe we'll hear a track or two from this record on the tour! 

The Hagar era was still good (there will be a post about 5150 eventually), but not as magical as the original VH lineup. Any self respecting rock fan should have this album in their collection.  Bask in the glory and majesty of Roth, Alex, Edward and Anthony...all hail VH!