Great Metal Albums of 1984: Waysted

 

Throughout my music listening career, EP's have always been a bit of a paradox for me. I've visited quite a few of them over the years, Brian May's "Star Fleet" for example. On the other hand, there has been some that I left out despite owning them myself. I'm surprised that while touring 1983, no one picked up on the fact that I never posted about Ratt's EP. To many, it's believed that EP's aren't proper albums so they don't buy them and they're intended to make money off dedicated followers of a band who will snap up anything they put out. While I see the point of the former, I see nothing wrong with a fan buying anything their heroes might release.

Waysted is a totally different story for me. I didn't hear the name until 1985 and didn't get to listen to them until I got over to England a year later and a friend was really into them. That was where I got to experience their "Vices" album and this 1984 self-titled, five song album, or EP. Every since, I have thanked that friend, even though he's not into metal much these days, for the experience.

My overall opinion of "Waysted" is that it is just five really explosive songs. "Won't Get Out Alive" is a great way to open any album. It definitely grabs my attention. "The Price You Pay" is just as rocking with a good harmony on the chorus and ends with a really good guitar solo. "Rock Steady" could have been the single on the album, although there is no indication that it was ever released as one. It has a good catchy vibe that might appeal to some who aren't so keen on metal but this doesn't make it any less rocking, especially with that guitar solo. Next comes the hidden gem on the album for me. "Hurt So Good," no it's not a cover of the John Cougar classic, it is a cowboyesque rock song, even before such songs would be made popular by a certain band from New Jersey. The acoustic intro pulls you in before blasting you with dual six strings. The chorus is very catchy and the vibe makes you want bob your head to it all the way through. Finally, the album closes with the eight minute long "Cinderella Boys." This is a blues induced number that definitely grabs your curiosity. I sense that the band had a good time recording this and when it's done, you feel that you've had a full album's enjoyment despite the fact it only being five songs long.

Track Listing:

1. Won't Get Out Alive
2. The Price You Pay
3. Rock Steady
4. Hurt So Good
5. Cinderella Boys

[caption id="attachment_3735" align="align-center" width="367"] Waysted[/caption]

Fin Muir- vocals

Paul Chapman- guitar

Neil Shepard- guitar

Pete Way- bass

Andy Parker- drums

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkJCssVaQtI

Like I said, "Waysted" by the band with the same name might only be five songs long but you remember all of them. It's simply a case of quality over quantity.

Next post: I can't say when that will be. I have had sad news this week. My mother has passed away and I will be flying to the States Monday morning and will be there for two weeks. Since the situation requires my full attention, I might not get to any albums while I'm there. I hope you all understand.

To get Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com 

Great Metal Albums of 1984: Sammy Hagar- VOA

 

Sammy Hagar was most definitely a busy boy in 1984. In the early part of the year, he made the one album with HSAS along with Neil Schon from Journey. When I reviewed that album, I wrote a follow up post of what music life would have been like if HSAS had stayed together and released more albums. On the plus side, there would have been a couple more great albums from that quartet and we would have have been spared from Van Hagar, whether that's a good or bad thing is up to the individual conscience to determine. Furthermore, Neil Schon's career would have been still going strong because Journey was fading from view by then. On the minus side, had that band remained in tact, we might have not been able to feast upon Sammy's solo album from later on in 1984, "VOA."

As a result of the big single from the album, Sammy would be described as the "red haired rocker who couldn't drive fifty-five." "I Can't Drive 55" received constant airplay on radio and MTV, not that I ever complained about that. It is my favourite Sammy song of all time, a great tune about driving really fast. Funny thing was that I have no recollection of anyone calling for the song to be banned because it encouraged people to break speed limits. All I know is that I love that song.

Seven other songs also adorn the "VOA" album and all of them are really good. "Rock is In My Blood" is a good power song where Sammy declares that rock is in his blood and his soul. It also demonstrates that Sammy can play a guitar a little bit as well. Two songs come closest to being a power ballad here. One of them is "Two Sides of Love." It's not slow enough in my opinion to be a ballad but it is a song about a failing relationship. The guitars are good and the keyboards punctuate the song very effectively. Sammy's solo is pretty good too.

Now let's talk about the hidden gem on the album and man, do I love this song. I'm talking about "Dick in the Dirt." The song is about a man named Richard to is a bit of a ladies' man. The innuendo behind the lyrics is comical and remains so throughout the song. I always laugh my ass off whenever I listen to the song, even after more than thirty years! Apart from that, it is a good power song and comes with another cool guitar solo. So, I guess you could say that the song hits you from both sides.

For me, the least strongest song, (I call it such as none of the songs are weak), is the title track. Maybe it because it was used so much for patriotic purposes in the days of 80s Reagan America. Actually, it's because the keyboards take over too much of the song. It's good but not as much as the other seven songs. Fortunately, the last two songs are much stronger and end the album on a high. "Don't Make Me Wait" is another song that comes near to being a power ballad but not near enough. It starts as if it's going to be one but it just rocks. There is some great  guitar work from Sammy and the closer, "Burning Down the City," all I can say is "Wow! What a great song to end the album with."

Track Listing:

1. I Can't Drive 55
2. Swept Away
3. Rock is in My Blood
4. Two Sides of Love
5. Dick in the Dirt
6. VOA
7. Don't Make Me Wait
8. Burning Down the City

[caption id="attachment_1954" align="aligncenter" width="228"] Sammy Hagar[/caption]

Sammy Hagar- lead vocals, lead guitar

Gary Pihl- rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Jesse Harms- keyboards, backing vocals

Bill Church- bass, backing vocals

David Lauser- drums, backing vocals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7DXOA0IUnE

Whatever your thoughts might be on the path Sammy Hagar took in 1984 and after, you can't fault that "VOA" is a great solo album. Things have moved on in the past three decades and in most American states, the speed limit is above 55. Maybe the big single influenced government to raise the speed limits.

Next post: Waysted

To get Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com 

Great Metal Albums of 1984: Krokus- The Blitz

Sometimes when an artist comes out with a great song, people expect them to duplicate it every time. This was the case with Swiss metal band Krokus in 1984. A year earlier, they completely blew me and many other metalheads away with their classic song, "Screaming in the Night." That is definitely in my top 20 as all time favourite songs. However, in 1984, when Krokus released their album, "The Blitz," many expected another song with the blow away potential as "Screaming in the Night." Unfortunately, no such song exists on the album and as a result, a lot of people went off Krokus.

Despite the fact that there is no song that completely blows me away on "The Blitz," I still enjoy listening to the album. There are still some very good songs on here. I'll be the first to admit that the first single, "Midnight Maniac," does not compare to the all time great but it has a catchy chorus which I still find myself singing now and again. I have been singing more lately as I have gotten reacquainted with the album. I only wish the guitar solo was a little longer.

Good 80s style metal continues on after "Midnight Maniac" with "Out of Control" and my vote for hidden gem on the album, "Boys Night Out." This is a great hard rocking song, so much so that I can't believe that it was co-written with Bryan Adams! The guitar solo on it is longer, at least the appropriate length a decent guitar solo should be. Things continue on nicely after that. "Our Love" has a cool intro and I think that Marc Storace does his best singing on it. It helps that there is a good metal rhythm behind him on the song. "Out to Lunch" is another hidden gem on the album, a good rocker. It's chorus is just as catchy as "Midnight Maniac" and has a better guitar solo.

The one low point is their cover of The Sweet's classic, "Ballroom Blitz." I'm not impressed with it and that could be down to the fact that I saw Krokus live before listening to the album. From what I remember, they nailed it on that night and the recorded version isn't up to it. Fortunately, three great rockers come after to erase any lack of impression I have on account of "Ballroom Blitz" and so, the album ends on a good high. In fact, "Rock the Nation" is a rather good song that has some cool guitar playing. I can say the same for "Hot Stuff" and "Ready to Rock" is a more credible closer. I do like the live feeling the song has.

Track Listing:

1. Midnight Maniac
2. Out of Control
3. Boys Night Out
4. Our Love
5. Out to Lunch
6. Ballroom Blitz
7. Rock the Nation
8. Hot Stuff
9. Ready to Rock

[caption id="attachment_3557" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Krokus[/caption]

Marc Storace- lead vocals

Fernando Von Arb- guitar, backing vocals

Marc Kohler- bass

Jeff Klaven- drums, percussion

Note: On the tour for "The Blitz," Marc Kohler would move to guitar and the bass duties would be taken over by Andy Tanas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Unz0jQvV7a4

Before I close out on what a misunderstandingly good album "The Blitz" is, let me share a bit from "Rock and Roll Children." When Krokus played live in the story, Marc Storace accepts a joint from someone in the crowd and takes a sly puff on it before handing it back. That actually happened! I know because I was in the fifth row. Anyway, this is an album that deserves a listen or a second chance as it's better than what some thought at the time.

Next post: Sammy Hagar- VOA

To get Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com 

Great Metal Albums of 1984: Lee Aaron- Metal Queen

 

Probably the first thing anyone talks about in relation to Canadian metal singer Lee Aaron's second album, "Metal Queen," is the album cover. For those who might not know, that is actually the Lee on the cover. I wouldn't debate anyone who thought her outfit on the cover was bought at a dime store but hey, even if it was, she makes it look good. Even more than thirty years on, looking at this cover still gives me a warm feeling.

While the cover might be nice to look at, it's the music contained on the record, wait I had this on cassette, that counts. Let me just sidestep for one second. I once read in an interview that Lee stated that she use to laugh when she heard her first album, I said such when I visited that album. Well, she can laugh as much as she wants at her first album because her second album is much much better. Lee and guitarist John Albani have a brilliant chemistry and that started with the live track from the first album and gets even stronger on "Metal Queen." Another reason for the massive improvement over the first album is that Lee had more control over things and she has a hand in writing all of the songs.

The title track just happens to be my all time favourite Lee Aaron song. Okay, the chains at the beginning may be a little unnecessary but the song just explodes into a mad metal frenzy. Lee's powerful voice and John's guitar solo team up to make a great song. Then again, they do so throughout the entire album. The next two songs move the album along very well and I've always wondered who the lady of the darkest night is. After reading the lyrics and listening to the song many times, I still haven't figured it out.

Lee proves her vocal versatility with the ballad like "Got to Be the One." It's as good a power ballad as any and I don't mind that she repeats the title so much at the end. Her voice is a delight to hear on the song. The two songs following continue to roll things along and I do really enjoy hearing John's guitar ability on "Deceiver." He is an underrated guitarist and would have been my first alternate for guitarist in the 80smetalman's band of underrated musicians.

"Steal Away Your Love" is the hidden gem on the album. It tackles a very serious and sensitive subject, the song is about a rape and the perpetrator getting away with it. These are lyrics that make you think and even the great guitar solos by John don't dampen the message behind the song. Plus, I think the footsteps walking away at the end make the point. Then after two more good tracks, "Hold Out" being the better of the two, we come to the closer, "We Will Be Rockin.'" Definitely the best song to end the album here.

Track Listing:

1. Metal Queen
2. Lady of the Darkest Night
3. Head Above Water
4. Got to Be the One
5. Shake It Up
6. Deceiver
7. Steal Away Your Love
8. Hold Out
9. Breakdown
10. We Will Be Rockin'

[caption id="attachment_3675" align="aligncenter" width="204"] Lee Aaron[/caption]

Lee Aaron- vocals

John Albani- guitar, backing vocals

George Bernhardt- guitar, backing vocals

Atilla Demjen- drums

Frank Russell- drums

Jack Meli- bass, backing vocals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P54mua-LbDs

It was "Metal Queen" that got people South of the Border and across the Atlantic to take notice of this Canadian fire cracker. Then again, with an album as good as this one, it's pretty hard not to.

Next post: Krokus- The Blitz

To get Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com