Great Metal Albums of 1984: Hanoi Rocks- Two Steps From the Move

 

Coming to the final month in 1984, just when I thought that the year of metal might be coming to end, I get news of a band shown on MTV coming to a local club. That band just happend to be, yes you guessed it, Hanoi Rocks. Previous to their appearance, I did happen to catch the video to their single, a cover of the CCR classic, "Up Around the Bend." The video impressed me enough to go to the club and to make a long story short, I was rather impressed. In fact, I sometimes wonder if I should have included that gig in "Rock and Roll Children." My reason for not doing so was because KISS came to Philadelphia that evening and I concluded that the main characters would have gone to see KISS instead. However, I do mention in the story that Bob's older brother Mitch goes to see Hanoi Rocks.

Hanoi Rocks's performance on that memorable evening further motivated me to get their then latest release, "Two Steps From the Move." Another decision I have never regretted because this album is very good. I would be lying if I didn't say that "Up Around the Bend" is my favourite track on it. I had always liked the original version and what Hanoi Rocks did was take a great classic and totally metalize it. However, the album is full of great metal jams. The ones which stick out especially are: "I Can't Get It," "Underwater World, which has a good guitar solo and "Million Miles Away" is as good a power ballad as any. The hidden gem on the album has to be "Boulevard of Broken Dreams." The energy on that song is simply phenomenal! Definitely one to blast driving with the window down and "Boiler" is quite amusing. On the other hand and as cliche as this sounds, all the songs really kick ass. If I were to nit pick, it would be that "Don't You Ever Leave Me" should have been the closer of the album but that's a tiny technicality.

Track Listing:

1. Up Around the Bend
2. High School
3. I Can't Get It
4. Underwater World
5. Don't You Ever Leave Me
6. Million Miles Away
7. Boulevard of Broken Dreams
8. Boiler (Me Boiler 'n' Me)
9. Futurama
10. Cutting Corners

[caption id="attachment_2403" align="aligncenter" width="329"] Hanoi Rocks[/caption]

Michael Monroe- lead vocals and saxophone

Andy McCoy- lead guitar, vocals

Nasty Suicide- guitar, vocals

Sam Yaffa- bass, vocals

Razzle- drums, vocals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9qHE9P8tHE

In 1984, Hanoi Rocks were on the threshold of international stardom. Unfortunately, just a few short weeks after I saw them obliterate a small club in New Jersey, tragedy would strike the band which would lead to their eventual break up. While it's no secret what that tragedy was, I thought it would be better to go into more detail next post. Right now, focus on the band's happier times with this great album.

Next post: 1984 Ends in Metal Tragedy

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

Great Metal Albums of 1984: TNT- Knights of New Thunder

 

You've probably guessed that I've been off from my main job the past several days or why else would I be able to post three days in a row? That all changes as I'm back in work tonight so before I go, I thought I'd leave it with a post about an album from whom I call my favourite Norwegian band, TNT. Leaves Eyes does come a close second though. I didn't hear their second album, "Knights of New Thunder" until 1986 and I have to say that I was quite impressed when I did.

"Knights of New Thunder" was the first album to feature American born Tony Harnell, though for some reason, he is credited on the first few TNT albums as Hansen. Anyway, Tony's fantastic vocal range completed what is essentially a great band. I can totally understand why my sister put him into her band of underrated musicians. Speaking of underrated, guitarist Ronni Le Tekro doesn't get the true recognition he deserves either. He does hammer out some really amazing guitar solos on this album.

Things open on the album with probably the best known track on it, "Seven Seas." It seems to be the one most people remember whenever it is mentioned. The reason for this is a no-brainer. Harnell's vocals shine through straight away supported by Le Tekro's guitar work. We must not forget the rhythm section of Morty Black and Diesel Dahl who are as tight as any on this album. While "Seven Seas" is the most well known track on "Knights of New Thunder," the rest of the album is just as good. In fact, the only tracks that might be called filler are "USA" and "Deadly Metal" though I like both of these tracks too. On a personal note, the lyrics to "Break the Ice" were very important to me in late 1986. The title track ranks right up there with the best album closers.

There is one difference in the tracks on the US version and the European version of the album. Having the US one, I was treated to my favourite track on the album, "Eddie," while Europeans had the track "Tor With the Hammer" which itself is a pretty good track. "Eddie" is a very good power ballad whose lyrics I found very amusing. I think the song is about a deranged dog but I have known humans who fit in quite nicely with the lyrics of the chorus.

"Eddie likes torture and pain;

And Eddie's crying in the rain;

Eddie's got a twisted brain;

And neighours think that he's insane;

Eddie strikes again." 

Track listing:

1. Seven Seas
2. Ready to Leave
3. Klassik Romance
4. Last Summer's Evil
5. Lost Without Your Love
6. Break the Ice
7. Tor With the Hammer
8. USA
9. Deadly Metal
10. Knights of New Thunder
11. Eddie (Track 6 on the US version)

[caption id="attachment_394" align="aligncenter" width="398"] TNT[/caption]

Tony Harnell (Hansen in the credits)- lead vocals

Ronni Le Tekro- guitars, backing vocals

Morty Black- bass, backing vocals, synthesizer

Diesel Dahl- drums

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q5vR-V_8bE

Because of "Eddie," there are two power ballads on the US version of "Knights of New Thunder." While I prefer "Eddie" to "Lost Without Your Love," I do think Le Tekro's guitar solo on the song is amazing. It has been said that "Knights of New Thunder" would be TNT's last pure metal album as they would go more glam after. My sister was always jealous of the band's hair. While, I will explore that theory down the line, I will say for now to just kick back on enjoy the delights of this one.

Next post: Deep Purple- Perfect Strangers

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

Great Metal Albums of 1984: KISS- Animalyze

 

Since Queensryche supported KISS in late 1984, I thought it only appropriate for the next post to be KISS's "Animalize" album. Unlike Queensryche, I was able to put more details of their performance on this tour in "Rock and Roll Children." Although I didn't actually see the concert, I did get the video of KISS concert for "Animalize," so that helped me a lot. This was in spite of the fact that the concert on the video didn't take place in Philadelphia, which was where I went to see all the concerts at the time.

"Animalize" was the second album by KISS without their make up, following on from their previous album, "Lick It Up." Now, I know KISS themselves along with many others like to downplay this era of Kisstory. True, they were looking more and more like a glam band but then again, so were many bands. However, I don't think this album was particularly bad, it has its good moments.

The opener, "I've Had Enough (Into the Fire)" opens with some metal sounding riffs, which I've always liked. The riffs alone make this song the best choice to open the album. Next comes the big single, "Heaven's On Fire." No arguments from me that this song was made for commercial radio and MTV. It is too similar to "Lick It Up" but then again, I don't dislike it either. I just find myself amused at the similarities between the two singles.

"Burn Bitch Burn" is nothing more than a catchy title and a cool guitar solo. It does give weight to the belief that Gene was too sidetracked with other projects and not putting his full attention to KISS. Paul does succeed in making up for it with "Get All That You Can Take." With all the "ooohs," one could probably say it was Paul's best vocal effort. It too has a cool guitar solo and throughout the years, I've wondered if Mark St John hasn't been given the respect he deserves. Saying that, then future band member Bruce Kullick nails the guitar solo on the next track, "Lonely Is the Hunter" and makes me wonder if KISS should have had him play on the whole album. God, thinking about it can give a person a headache, almost. I will say that the track in question is a better effort from Gene, possibly his best on this album.

It seems that KISS tried to be more speed metal with "Under the Gun." It is definitely the fastest song on the album and the best part is that Paul's vocals fit the song. Maybe I've underestimated his vocal ability these many years. The song does open side two, if you have vinyl or cassette, very nicely and leads to my choice for hidden gem. I know that "Thrills in the Night" was released as the second single on the album but from what I've read, it failed to chart. That makes it a hidden gem in my opinion. It's hard enough to please metalheads but with some good melody and Gene and Eric give great backing to Paul on the vocals and it has a cool guitar solo. Personally, I think the idea for the big single on their next album was taken from it. While I won't call the remaining two songs, penned by Gene, filler, I won't say they're standout tracks. Just two good songs to end the album in the best way.

Track Listing:

1. I've Had Enough (Into the Fire)
2. Heaven's On Fire
3. Burn Bitch Burn
4. Get All you Can Take
5. Lonely is the Hunter
6. Under the Gun
7. Thrills in the Night
8. While the City Sleeps
9. Murder in High Heels

Paul Stanley- rhythm guitar, lead and backing vocals

Gene Simmons- bass, lead and backing vocals

Eric Carr- drums, backing vocals

Mark St John- lead guitar

Additional musicians

Bruce Kullick- lead guitar on "Lonely is the Night" and "Murder in High Heels"

Jean Beauvour (ex Plasmatics): bass on "Get All You Can Take," "Thrills in the Night" and "Under the Gun"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7o9A0kRIi7Q

Say what you want about KISS during their unmasked 1980s period, but I think that "Animalize" isn't all that bad. It does have it's good and amusing points but on the other hand, it never made me want to stop listening to "Destroyer."

Next post: Whitesnake- Slide It In

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

Great Metal Albums of 1984: Twisted Sister- Stay Hungry

 

With all the fuss about the upcoming Christmas holidays and reading about various opinions of the "Twisted Christmas" album and why Twisted Sister made such an album, I thought I'd treat everyone to their most defining album, "Stay Hungry." It was by and far the most successful Twisted Sister album of all time and it made, to quote Dee Snider, 1984 "the year of the Sister."

Let me take you back to the golden year and where it first started. The massive sales of the album were spring-boarded by the huge hit, "We're Not Gonna Take It" and the very amusing video for it, that got tons of airplay on MTV. I never minded the fact that during the summer of 1984, it seemed to be on every time I turned the station on. The video for said song featured actor Mark Metcalf, famous for playing Niedermeyer in the greatest party film of all time, "National Lampoon's Animal House." Metcalf plays an overbearing dictatorial father who shouts constantly at his rock loving son. The son gets his own back by propelling his father out windows after turning into Dee Snider. It was all very hilarious and only those without any sense of humour wouldn't enjoy it.

[caption id="attachment_1033" align="aligncenter" width="281"] A scene from the video, "We're Not Gonna Take It."[/caption]

"Stay Hungry" spawned two more singles, "I Wanna Rock" which did fairly well in the charts. The video carried on the zaniness of the Niedermeyer debacle. It too was a very funny video. The other single was the power ballad, "The Price," which didn't break the top forty, but who cares because it is definitely up in my top ten of power ballads.

Singles aside, the remaining seven songs are just as awesome. The closest track to filler is "Don't Let Me Down" but it's better than many songs on other albums which  aren't considered filler. While "The Beast" never got played the last two times I saw Twister Sister at Bloodstock, it did get played the two times I saw them on tour for this album. "Captain Howdy" is a cool song. The title track is one of the best album openers of all time and the closer "SMF" is also outstanding as a closer and build the foundations as to why this album is so great. To my knowledge, there isn't a sane soul in the metal world who doesn't like "Burn In Hell." Except for the first time because it hadn't been written yet, it got played all the other times I saw the band live. However, the one small disappointment whenever I saw them live  was that they never played the song I call the hidden gem, "Street Justice." I like everything about this song from the cool intro to the guitar solo to the serious lyrics. Maybe that's why I think I'm different to the rest of the world because I seem to be the only person who really likes it. I've read that they played the song in 2009 when they played the entire album live. I wish I could have been there.

Track Listing:

1. Stay Hungry
2. We're Not Gonna Take It
3. Burn In Hell
4. Horror Teria

a. Captain Howdy

b. Street Justice

5. I Wanna Rock

6. The Price

7. Don't Let Me Down

8. The Beast

9. SMF

Twisted Sister

Dee Snider- lead vocals

Eddie Ojeda- guitars, backing vocals

Jay Jay French- guitars, backing vocals

Mark 'The Animal' Mendoza- bass, backing growls

AJ Pero- drums, percussion

Three videos from this iconic album is my Christmas treat to all of you, enjoy. Whatever else happened in the band's history before or since, the obvious thing is that "Stay Hungry" made Twisted Sister in 1984. It was definitely the year of the Sister and I wonder sometimes if I didn't convey that point in Rock and Roll Children.

Next post: The 12 Days of Christmas, several versions

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

Great Metal Albums of 1984: Ratt- Out of the Cellar

 

Here's a scene from "Rock and Roll Children." One night, after unsuccessfully trying to get into bars, the four main characters decide to head to one of the group's houses. While driving with the radio on, some power chords come blasting through the car's speakers. Intently listening to whoever the mysterious artist is playing, these words coming ringing true.

"I knew right from the beginning

That you would end up winning,

I knew right from the start,

You'd put an arrow through my heart."

The big single "Round and Round" brought Ratt into the homes of many Americans in the summer of 1984, with it being constantly played on radio and MTV. I can't deny the fact that it is most likely my favourite Ratt song of all time although there are a couple of others that might come close. I can't explain why this song is so good, not just to metalheads but many non-metalheads liked it too. That's why it got to number 12 on the Billboard charts.

Like the big hit, one thing that many of the songs on Ratt's debut album, "Out of the Cellar" have catchy intros that make your ears perk up and pay attention. True, some of the songs trail off a bit and end not as exciting as they begin but there isn't a bad song on the album. Saying that, except for "Round and Round" the second half of the album is better than the first. It's probably why the said single was put third on the album. A kind of high point on a more level ground. Furthermore and this is me totally nit picking here, I would have swapped "She Wants Money" as the opener and "Wanted Man" would have been fifth. The latter is a good song, I just think the former would have made a better opener.

Having heard "Out of the Cellar" on vinyl, flipping to side two, one is greeted with a great side opener in "Lack of Communication." This song opens the doorway for the best to come. "Back For More" was the second single on the album and I liked it more than what the charts indicated. I think it only got to 27 but that never bothered me because it is a cool song. The acoustic intro makes a great change up to the album and I can't fault Warren DeMartini's guitar playing on it or on any song actually. However, after single number two comes the hidden gem on the album and the one to rival "Round and Round" for my affections. "The Morning After" is just a fantastic song. I love all the tempo changes in the guitars on it and how they kick in big time on the chorus. It's hard to describe in words but even thirty three years on, I still don't tire of this song. Shit, maybe I should call it number one.

The last two tracks are strong and solid ones. I sometimes wonder if "I'm Insane" applies to me. After all, I feel that way sometimes. "Scene of the Crime" isn't the greatest album closer in history but it is probably the best song to close the album, especially with the intro.

Track Listing:

1. Wanted Man
2. You're In Trouble
3. Round and Round
4. In Your Direction
5. She Wants Money
6. Lack of Communication
7. Back for More
8. The Morning After
9. I'm Insane
10. Scene of the Crime

[caption id="attachment_4305" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Ratt[/caption]

Stephen Pearcy- vocals

Warren De Martini- guitar, backing vocals

Robbin Crosby- guitar, backing vocals

Juan Crocier- bass, backing vocals

Bobby Blotzer- drums, percussion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXlDPA52BXc

When people talk of the metal explosion of 1984, Ratt always gets a mention. Though many would accuse them of being too much the same on later albums, there is no debate that "Out of the Cellar" album was something fresh, at least to me.

Next post: Twisted Sister- Stay Hungry

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

Great Metal Albums of 1984: Black 'N' Blue

 

Back in 1984, I was still pretty much relying on commercial media to bring me news of new albums and bands. I have to admit that in the early part of the year, MTV was a reliable source although this would quickly change towards the end of 1984. However, as commercial media was becoming less reliable in heavy metal terms, word of mouth and scouring record stores' stock proved to be a God send. It was through the former method as to how I discovered the debut album from Black'n Blue.

If you have never heard the album before, you might react with a "This sounds very 80s" comment. True, I can see that, there is a definite 80s metal vibe here but I didn't care at all back then and I don't care now. The lyrics are definitely so but again, they make the songs fun. Take the second track, "School of Hard Rocks" where the lyrics go, "We're gonna rock your socks off." There are probably thousands of bands who have penned lyrics like this in the past three decades but for me, Black' n Blue were the first ones to do it in a way that I really liked.

Funny thing, not long after I listened to the album, their best known single of all time, "Hold Onto 18" did get played on MTV. Although that was possibly the only time I saw the video for the song. I might have caught it again another time but my memory is playing tricks on me. This song was a banner for those who were reaching that age in 1984, like my sister. I was 23 and had spent four years serving my country but even I could appreciate the sentiment of the lyrics. Besides, it is a very powerful song to begin with.

The three tracks  before "Hold Onto 18" are all of that 1980s metal sound, if you believe there is such a thing. However, the track after, "Wicked Bitch" kicks things up several gears. This is a great metal tune that could fit well into any decade with fantastic power chords and a blistering guitar solo. Following that is a good cover of The Sweet classic, "Action." They do metal it up quite well. That metal power continues through the remaining songs. All of them are kick ass power rockers.

Track Listing:

1. The Strong Will Rock
2. School of Hard Rocks
3. Autoblast
4. Hold Onto 18
5. Wicked Bitch
6. Action
7. Show Me the Night
8. One for the Money
9. I'm the King
10. The Chains Around Heaven

[caption id="attachment_4255" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Black'n Blue[/caption]

Jamie St James- lead and backing vocals

Tommy Thayer- guitar, backing vocals

Jeff 'Woop' Warner- guitar, backing vocals

Patrick Young- bass, backing vocals

Pete Holmes- drums

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

The great thing about 1984 was it helped to put bands I would have never heard of onto my radar. I guess I should be grateful for that. It's also good that one of those bands was Black'n Blue because their debut album is killer. While it does get a mention in "Rock and Roll Children," it isn't for another year in the story and in my life where they get more into the spotlight.

Next post: Grim Reaper- See You In Hell

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

Great Rock/Metal Albums of 1984: Bon Jovi

 

Before I launch into the debut album by a band considered to be a symbol for 1980s hard rock and heavy metal, I thought I first begin by naming four more films of 1984 I missed. Two of them I can't believe I did and two of them starred comedian Eddie Murphy.

[caption id="attachment_4216" align="aligncenter" width="182"] Beverly Hills Cop was considered to be on a par with Ghostbusters at the time.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4217" align="aligncenter" width="183"] Conan the Destroyer with Arnie Schwartzeneger was a big let down in comparison with the first film[/caption] [caption id="attachment_4218" align="aligncenter" width="275"] Another children's favourite, Gremlins. Thanks to keepsmealive for bringing it to light for me.[/caption]

 

[caption id="attachment_4219" align="aligncenter" width="182"] Hot Dog- about freestyle skiing had its funny moments.[/caption]

There was a fifth film called Best Defense with Eddie Murphy and Dudley Moore which was okay but just okay.

Now onto the self-titled debut from Bon Jovi. While I have always liked this album, at the time, I thought it was nothing spectacular. Yes, the single that got them on MTV, "Runaway," was very good, probably still one of my favourite Bon Jovi jams, even if one friend of mine considered it to sound too much like Rick Springfield. Furthermore, I felt exactly the same way when I saw them open for The Scorpions in this year. I thought they weren't bad but not anything phenomenal.

Like all Bon Jovi albums, when I listen to it, I ask myself the question why Bon Jovi are considered heavy metal. True, there are some hard rocking songs on the album and there was the potential for more had not the keyboards been too heavy on them. The tracks I'm talking about are "Burning For Love" and the second single, "She Don't Know Me." The latter officially became the first song I liked on account of the video for it. Had I heard it on the radio or the album, I wouldn't have liked it so much. The former does have a great guitar solo on it though.

On the other hand, there are some decent rockers on the album in addition to "Runaway." "Love Lies" is definitely one of those. Whenever I listen to it, I remember why I have always held the guitar abilities of one Richie Sambora in such high regards. He does shine here. "Breakout" can't make up its mind as to whether it wants to be a rocker or not. I do like the standard keyboard intro followed by the thunder of the guitar. However, the keyboards come back in and take over a little too much in some places. The song sounds like a power struggle between the hard rock and commercial sounds. The decider is again, another good guitar solo from Richie. I have always said that a good closing song can do wonders for an album and "Get Ready" does that job well on the album. It is a strong rocker which ends things quite well. Plus, it gets some good support from the penultimate track.

Track Listing:

1. Runaway
2. Roulette
3. She Don't Know Me
4. "Shot Through the Heart
5. Love Lies
6. Breakout
7. Burning For Love
8. Come Back
9. Get Ready

[caption id="attachment_4220" align="aligncenter" width="290"] Bon Jovi[/caption]

Jon Bon Jovi- lead vocals, rhythm guitar

Richie Sambora- lead guitar, backing vocals

Dave Bryan- keyboards, backing vocals

Alec John Such- bass, backing vocals

Tico Torres- drums, percussion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omLgJe9cnCw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s86K-p089R8

Now here's the big question I am going to explore on all my Bon Jovi posts in the future. Someone once commented that Bon Jovi represented everything that was wrong with heavy metal in the 1980s. What? I never thought there was anything wrong with metal back then. It's something I'm going to investigate though. Thinking back to 1984 and this debut album, I certainly wasn't thinking that. Then, I would never have thought that the band would go onto achieve so much.

Next post: Accept- Balls to the Wall

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

Great Metal Albums of 1983: Motley Crue- Shout at the Devil

 

I believe I'm not the only one who thinks "Shout at the Devil" is Motley Crue's best album. It would be after that Motley Crue would be more into posing instead of the quality of their music. The band's image with that album was darker, to the point they would be accused of Satanism. Then again, I've always said that being accused of that was the mark of a metal band's success.

They first came to my attention courtesy of MTV where I saw the video for the album's first single, "Looks That Kill." You know the one where the band traps a bunch of scantly clad women in a steel fence only to be rescued by some Valkyrie type warrior. In 1983, I found that video to be cool but having watched it again recently, I just laugh at it. Furthermore, nowadays, I agree with anyone who says that video is sexist. Still, I do like the song, probably my favourite Crue song of all time.

Let me be blunt here, I have always thought that Motley Crue weren't the most talented musicians to get together and call themselves a band. However, on "Shout at the Devil," they definitely play to their strengths. There are some good songs on it too. True, beginnings like the way Motley Crue start the album off with "In the Beginning," which sounds like a sermon before crashing headlong into the title track seem more common these days but it was a good attention grabber. "Bastard" is a decent song and the instrumental "God Bless the Children of the Beast" convinces me that Mick Mars is not the worst guitarist in metal. Like Pat Benatar and Vow Wow and quite a few other bands, they have their own cover of the Beatles classic, "Helter Skelter." Probably the most, covered Beatles song in heavy metal. Other bands have produced better covers of it but Motley Crue's isn't bad.

Side two of "Shout at the Devil" isn't quite as good as the first side. The only real standout song is their second single, "Too Young to Fall in Love." However, what they do well is to stick to the basic formula of heavy metal and it works well for them. Then again, I do like some of the riffs on "Knock'em Dead Kid" and Mars's guitar solo on "Ten Seconds to Love" is rather cool. In reference to what said about four of the last five songs not standing out, they do keep the album ticking over to an interesting closer in "Danger."

Track Listing:

1. In the Beginning
2. Shout at the Devil
3. Looks That Kill
4. Bastard
5. God Bless the Children of the Beast
6. Helter Skelter
7. Red Hot
8. Too Young to Fall in Love
9. Knock'Em Dead Kid
10. Ten Seconds to Love
11. Danger

[caption id="attachment_2427" align="aligncenter" width="276"] Motley Crue[/caption]

Vince Neil- vocals

Mick Mars- guitars

Nikki Sixx- bass

Tommy Lee- drums

"Shout at the Devil," will always remain for me, Motley Crue's best album. However, it seem when they broke through with it, the abandoned some of the things that this album helped gain them that commercial success.

Next post: Dokken- Breaking the Chains

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

Great Metal Albums of 1983: KISS- Lick It Up

 

Coming out of the marines in 1983, I was a much different person than when I went in four years earlier. Not only had I changed but a lot of things in the world around had changed too. Around the four month mark after becoming a civilian, while watching the TV show, "Video Rock," a song with a vaguely sounding voice began singing a song that to me sounded rather promising. Then the programme flashed up the artist and song title and it was at this point, I learned that KISS had come out of make up and that would forever be what I would most remember 1983 for in the musical sense.

I had already warmed to KISS after hearing their previous album, "Creatures of the Night" so the song played on the video, "Lick It Up" was no surprise and I quite liked it. Therefore, KISS continued their journey back into my acknowledgement. Before that and though I never really mentioned here but have done so in other blogs, I ignored KISS during the late 1970s. Some could argue that they didn't put out anything worthy during that time but that wasn't it for me. I ignored them because I was going through deep religious phase back then. One of my fellow Christians stated that KISS was an anagram for Knights In Satan's Service and I believed it. So, I avoided them on the misguided belief they were Satan worshipers. I won't go into details here but if you want to read more about it then here it is:  https://peacefulrampage.wordpress.com/2017/01/18/my-confusion-of-religion-and-music/

I've heard all the talk about the unmasked 80s KISS not being the best period in their history. I won't enter into that debate. I would be the first to admit that "Lick It Up" doesn't quite reach the heights of classics like "Destroyer" or even "Creatures of the Night" but for me, "Lick It Up" was the right album at the right time. Plus, say what you like, but it's better than their attempts at sounding more commercial in the early 198os.

Something I have always loved about any album is when the 'hit' single is not the best track on it. Although there are plenty of albums I like that are exception to this. "Lick It Up" is not the best song on the album that bears its name. There are several tracks which are better. Let's start with my personal favourite, "Young and Wasted." Of course the song title brought me much amusement, especially that they applied to me quite a bit during that time. However, I like the more aggressive intro this and several other songs on the album I rate higher than the title track. For "Young and Wasted," it just seems to be done the best. On "Not for the Innocent" and "Gimme More," I can hear the Vinnie Vincent influence on the guitar. "Dance All Over Your Face" is a really cool tune and "And on the Eighth Day" closes the album out rather well. A great majority of the songs on "Lick It Up" just seem to be in your face cool rockers. Say what you will about this album, but I quite like it.

Track Listing:

1. Exciter
2. Not for the Innocent
3. Lick It Up
4. Young and Wasted
5. Gimme More
6. All Hell's Breakin' Loose
7. A Million to One
8. Fist Like a Glove
9. Dance All Over Your Face
10. And On the Eight Day

[caption id="attachment_3693" align="aligncenter" width="300"] KISS[/caption]

Paul Stanley- rhythm guitar, lead vocals

Gene Simmons- bass, lead vocals

Eric Carr- drums, backing vocals

Vinnie Vincent- lead guitar, backing vocals

Vinnie Vincent would leave KISS after this album. According to which camp you belong to, he was either fired or left on his own accord. He would go onto put out a solo record which I will definitely visit when I hit 1986. As for KISS, for me, "Lick It Up" was their way completely back into my attention and they would continue to be there for a long time.

Next post: Metallica- Kill'Em All

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

Great Metal Albums of 1983: Saxon- Power and the Glory

 

For a young American living in the sticks of Southern New Jersey in 1983, Diamond Head was probably the best kept secret of the new wave of British heavy metal, (NWOBHM). I only was fortunate to know their existence because I happened to see them live in England that summer. However, if that is truly the case, then Saxon was the best NWOBHM band not to fully get the respect in the US they truly deserved. Their 1983 album "Power and the Glory" is a solid piece of evidence as to why.

It would be a very difficult task for any Saxon album to knock off "Denim and Leather" as my favourite album of theirs, so "Power and the Glory" will have to settle for number two. It is every much the killer as its 1981 predecessor! I have to admit, I'm pretty much impressed with all eight of the tracks on here. Maybe that's why it's only number two because "Denim and Leather" has nine.

"Power and the Glory" opens with the title track which is a good song to catch your attention. However, compared to the other tracks on the album, it's the weakest, not that in any way it's not a good track, it is. But the others that follow are mind blowing. Some really cool guitar solos from Oliver and Quinn on the tracks "Nightmare" and "This Town Rocks." On the latter, I am wondering which town they are singing about because back in the mid 1980s, I lived in a town that didn't. Some might say that about the town I live in now in the UK but those who rock aren't visible. They just come out whenever a cool band like Hells Bells comes to town. Here I go digressing again. Great songs all here!

Impressing me further is the intro to "Midas Touch." While Saxon has historically had many songs whose introduction has been a great hook, the one on this track takes the top spot for the album. And like so many Saxon songs, "Midas Touch" isn't a song with a great intro that descends into mediocrity as the song progresses.

If my favourite Saxon album didn't have such a killer closing track, then I would probably be gushing over the closer on "Power and the Glory." I have to put "Denim and Leather" totally out of my mind so I can sing the praises of "The Eagle Has Landed." It works in so many ways, as a closer and as a song in itself, great song. I have to say that I think Biff and the boys were on top form when they made "Power and the Glory."

Track Listing:

1. Power and the Glory
2. Redline
3. Warrior
4. Nightmare
5. This Town Rocks
6. Watching the Sky
7. Midas Touch
8. The Eagle Has Landed

[caption id="attachment_1148" align="aligncenter" width="236"] Saxon[/caption]

Biff Byford- vocals

Graham Oliver- guitar

Paul Quinn- guitar

Steve Dawson -bass

Nigel Glockler- drums

Some might argue that with all the great metal, especially (NWOBHM) albums that were out in 1983, it's easy to see why Saxon's "Power and the Glory" might have been overlooked in the US. No excuse I say and I wish it didn't take me another two years before I started listening to Saxon in earnest. This album deserves to stand with all the other ones that were around in that year.

Next post: Y&T- Mean Streak

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

Great Metal Albums of 1983: Manowar- Into Glory Ride

 

The more I listen to any album by Manowar, the more perplexed I become at the fact that Kerrang Magazine called them a joke band. Maybe it was because they appeared to have fun when they made their music or possibly it was down to the fact that in the magazine's view, the world wasn't quite ready for Viking metal. I've never considered Manowar a joke then or now and the funny things is that I can listen and enjoy them after all the these years while in my opinion, Kerrang has basically sucked since the mid 1990s and I no longer read it. Saying that, I shouldn't slag them off too much because Kerrang Radio did interview me about "Rock and Roll Children" in 2011.

One of Manowar's albums I still enjoy listening to is their 1983 offering, "Into Glory Ride." While it's a small fraction below their debut album, "Battle Hyms" it's a whale of an album nonetheless. Nearly all of the songs have the melodic high notes sung by Eric Adams accompanied by some very inventive guitar playing by Ross the Boss. Listening to the album today, I can't help thinking that bands like Hammerfall and Gloryhammer listened to "Into Glory Ride" and thought to themselves, "Hey, these guys have something here." Because I am convinced that both of those bands were influenced by Manowar and this album particularly.

"Warlord," the opener is the only more straightforward metal song on here, well as straightforward as Manowar can get but it's still a good way to start out the album. The rest of the album, all six other songs are well over five minutes and sound more progressive or viking like. The best example of this is on my favourite track, "Gates of Vahalla." This song is rife with great vocals and Ross the Boss fingering his guitar all the way through, all seven minutes and eleven seconds of it. We can't take anything away from the rhythm section though because Joey DeMaio and the newly acquired Scott Columbus do a brilliant job here as they do on all the songs. Only "Hatred" is longer by twenty seven seconds and while it's a cool song, I think Adams screams a bit too much on it. Also I love the intro on "Revelation (Death's Angel.) This one is power metal at its best.

Track Listing;

1. Warlord
2. Secrets of Steel
3. Gloves of Metal
4. Gates of Valhalla
5. Hatred
6. Revelation (Death's Angel)
7. March for Revenge (By the Soldiers of Death)

[caption id="attachment_2888" align="aligncenter" width="294"] Manowar[/caption]

Eric Adams- vocals

Ross the Boss- guitar, keyboards

Joey DeMaio- bass

Scott Columbus- drums

Maybe the mainstream world wasn't ready for viking metal or power metal in 1983. I know I would have been but sadly, it would be nearly three more years before I actually listened to any Manowar. I've more than made up for that since, this album and "Battle Hyms" especially.

Next post: Diamond Head- Canterbury

To buy Rock And Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com 

Great Metal Albums of 1983: Hanoi Rocks- Back to Mystery City

 

It took me a couple of listens before I finally was able to get into Hanoi Rocks' 1983 release, "Back to Mystery City." At the time, I hadn't heard of them and it would be another year before I actually did when they played a small club in New Jersey. On the other hand, it's been fun delving into their backlog of albums, even this one. It might have taken a couple of listens but I can say now, "I like it."

The weird thing was that Youtube has this album backwards. The actual first track on the album is the last one on Youtube and vice versa. So, I ask myself, would my listening experience have been different if I had listened to the album in the correct order? My answer: I don't think so. The order doesn't matter here. The short instrumental opening, "Strange Boys Play Weird Openings" could have been called "Strange Boys Play Weird Closings." it's inter-changeable.

Before I get further obsessed with the order of the songs, let's look at the songs themselves. There are a number of good ones so I'll start with the one I'm least impressed with, "Lick Summer Love." It's not a terrible song, nor even a bad one but it doesn't move me either. Hanoi Rocks tries to introduce a calypso feel to the song but it doesn't quite work. Again, I don't hate the song but it is at a level below the others on "Back to Mystery City." Then again, Michael Monroe wrote the song when he was seventeen and has since said that he hated the lyrics.

Now let's go to the positives and there are many. I can't say a bad thing about the rest of the album and it has been difficult for me to pick a favourite track. Each one seems as good as the last one. For example, after riding the mid tempo "Until I Get You" which has been said to typify the band's seventies glam rock style, I get pounded with "Sailing Down the Tears." Now that I have had a moment to think, if I have to pick a favourite, it's going to be "Tooting Bec Wreck." This is more up tempo for me and works on so many levels. Maybe it's me but I do hear a slight influence of the famous Sweet song, "Ballroom Blitz" on it. Plus it's the best song for appreciating Sam Yaffa's bass skills. Then there's the one single from the album, "Malibu Beach Nightmare," which Andy McCoy wrote while smoking hashish. Maybe certain drugs can influence creativity, lol. It was originally recorded in calypso fashion as a joke but the band decided to record it as a rock song, good decision in retrospect. "Mental Beat" is quite a cool song too.

Track Listing:

1. Strange Boys Play Weird Openings
2. Malibu Beach Nightmare
3. Mental Beat
4. Tooting Bec Wreck
5. Until I Get You
6. Sailing Down the Tears
7. Lick Summer Love
8. Beating Gets Faster
9. Ice Cream Summer
10. Back to Mystery City

[caption id="attachment_2403" align="aligncenter" width="349"] Hanoi Rocks[/caption]

Michael Monroe- lead vocals, saxophone, harmonica

Andy McCoy- lead guitar

Nasty Suicide- rhythm guitar

Sam Yaffa- bass

Razzle- drums

Hanoi Rocks were putting out solid albums in rapid succession and beginning to find more commercial success in 1983. "Back to Mystery City" was a good stepping stone in that direction.

Next post: Riot- Born in America

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

Great Metal Albums of 1983: Kix- Cool Kids

 

In some circles, it's been said that American rockers, Kix, were the first of the glam rock, hair metal movement. While I won't enter that debate, I do remember that when I first saw their photo in 1983, I wanted to grow my hair like them after having to wear a crew cut during my four years of service to my country. However, I heard their music before I saw what they looked like in the form of the single from the 1983, "Cool Kids" album, "Body Talk." It got enough radio play to catch my interest although I'm glad I don't recall seeing the cheesy video for it where the band cavorts with ladies in full workout garb.

"Body Talk" isn't the best song on the album and apparently, Kix only recorded the song to appease their label. However, the rest of "Cool Kids" is better. Even the first two tracks, which sounds in similar mode to the single are better and the title track is better of those two. "Love Pollution" is the first true metal song on the album in my view but it's sandwiched between songs that are not. "Body Talk" follows right after and even after thirty-three years, I still don't know what to make of "Loco-Emotion."

The second half of "Cool Kids" makes up for the faults of the first half. "Mighty Mouth" is a good rocking tune that starts off with a scream from lead singer, Steve Whiteman, which I don't know how seriously I should take. Still the song does rock! It also turns the album up a gear and progresses throughout the remainder of the album. "Nice on the Ice" and "Get Your Monkeys Out" are both good tracks. I do smile at the opening line to "Get Your Monkeys Out," which goes: "I live in the jungle" and the line from the chorus, "You got to let your monkeys out." Then things go slower with a country sounding ballad, "For Shame." This song is so country sounding that I found an acoustic version of this song on Youtube. I even want to do a "Yee hah!" during the guitar solo on it. However, I don't think the band is serious on the song. Fortunately, things return to more metal pastures with the closer, "Restless Blood," which sounds to me like fore runner to one of Kix's best know songs, "Yeah, Yeah, Yeah." Maybe it's the "hey, hey, hey" that's sung several times in the song that makes me think that. Still, "Restless Blood" does conclude things on a positive note, even with the slow down part in the middle of the song because that's rapidly followed by the best guitar solo on the album. A great way to end!

Track Listing:

1. Burning Love
2. Cool Kids
3. Love Pollution
4. Body Talk
5. Loco-Emotion
6. Mighty Mouth
7. Nice on Ice
8. Get Your Monkeys Out
9. For Shame
10. Restless Blood

[caption id="attachment_3590" align="aligncenter" width="239"] Kix[/caption]

Steve Whitemann- lead vocals, harmonica, saxophone

Brad Divens- guitar, backing vocals, talk box

Brian 'Damage' Forsythe- guitars

Donnie Purnell- bass, backing vocals, keyboards

Jimmy 'Chocolate' Chalfant- drums, percussion, backing vocals, co-lead vocal on "Body Talk"

Kix got my attention in 1983 and though I can't say that I've always been a die hard fan, I know that the "Cool Kids" album is cool. Although I did try, I couldn't quite grow my hair like any of them.

Next post: Hanoi Rocks- Back to Mystery City

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

Great Metal Albums of 1983: Quiet Riot- Metal Health

 

Here's one reason why I was so excited about music in the Autumn of 1983. In the months leading up to when my household finally acquired MTV, we were still relying on the late night, half hour programme called "Video Rock" for our television musical feed. One video got a lot of play on that show, though I liked it and the song from the very first viewing. Sorry, no 80smetalman points for guessing it because I think you all know that it was "Cum On Feel the Noize" by Quiet Riot. Seeing this video and hearing the song, sometimes on radio, it was no wonder I was so pumped up when I went to see them open for Black Sabbath in the November. Black Sabbath/Quiet Riot is definitely in my top ten of concerts I've seen in my life. However, I didn't have to buy the album, "Metal Health" back then because my sister did. Of course, I borrowed it quite a lot.

Some misguided rock officianadoes, at least they think they are, have marked Quiet Riot as one hit wonders because later albums weren't as commercially successful as "Metal Health" and the follow up single, "Mental Health," only reached 31 in the charts. Hey, who gives a stuff about that? Obviously, these so-called experts never sat down and listened to the album because if they had, they would have been completely blown away. I know I was.

While the two singles lead the album, there are so many great metal tunes on it and a couple I wouldn't call metal but are good nonetheless. Take "Don't Wanna Let You Go" for example. There is definitely a funk infusion on this song that is definitely not metal but is good anyway. Plus there's the tribute song to the late Randy Rhoads, "Thunderbird." It is slow and there is a piano in it but I think Randy would have still approved of it. Another observation is that lead singer Kevin DuBrow's singing style is the same on those two songs as well as the more metal ones on the album. In fact, I think he would sound the same if he sang country/western.

What raises "Mental Health" to the precipice it stands upon is the great metal tunes on here. Everyone I know agrees that "Slick Black Cadillac" is a great metal tune and the harmonizing is done so well. I can hear a Black Sabbath vibe in "Life's a Bitch" at the beginning of the song while "Breathless" is a straight forward in your face metal tune as is "Run For Cover." "Let's Get Crazy" goes more on the anthem side of things but trust me, when they played it live, it had me ready to jump out of my seat. Guitarist Carlos Carvazo is more than sufficient throughout the album but he does get his time to shine on "Battleaxe." As far as I can remember, this was the second time I heard a track where the guitarist was just given the chance to show his stuff and Carlos rises to the occasion. "Eruption" was the first.

Track Listing:

1. Mental Health (Bang Your Head)
2.    Cum On Feel the Noize
3. Don't Wanna Let You Go
4. Slick Black Cadillac
5. Life's a Bitch
6. Breathless
7. Run For Cover
8. Battleaxe
9. Let's Get Crazy
10. Thunderbird

[caption id="attachment_3552" align="aligncenter" width="272"] Quiet Riot[/caption]

Kevin Dubrow- lead vocals

Carlos Carvazo- guitar, backing vocals

Rudy Sarzo- bass, synthesizer

Frankie Banali- drums, backing vocals

Not only was did "Metal Health" propel Quiet Riot onto the metal and commercial world stage, it gave a  famous British band from the 1970s its big break in the US. Once people learned that "Cum On Feel the Noize" was originally recorded by Slade, many people like myself investigated said band further. That would mean big things for Slade with their next album, which I'll get to in time. Besides, Mrs 80smetalman met Slade back in 1979. Like, "Pyromania" by Def Leppard, "Mental Health would be considered on of THE albums of 1983. In fact, here's a piece of useless information my strange brain managed to retain: "Cum on Feel the Noize" squared off against "Photograph" on the MTV Friday night video fights. From what I remember, "Photograph" won by a landslide.

Next Post: Krokus- Headhunter

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

Great Rock Albums of 1983: David Bowie- Let's Dance

 

When I began to assemble my list for albums of 1983, I was in two minds on whether or not to include Bowie's 1983 "Let's Dance" album. For me, it's not his best album. It's a long way down from classics like "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and Spiders From Mars," an album I visited many eons ago. However, being an open minded person and having mellowed a little with old age, I thought it fair that I give it another listen. My opinion of "Let's Dance" has improved but only a little bit. To me, it still sounds too 80s mainstream pop.

Here's the good news. When I first heard the title cut all those years ago, I was put off by the domineering bass in the song. I thought he was trying to go for a dance record with it. Hearing it again, I realise now that "Let's Dance" has a real killer guitar solo. Naturally, I had to look up to discover who played this great solo and very much to my surprise, I have learned that the guitar virtuoso was none other than guitar great Stevie Ray Vaughan. Better yet, not only does he shine on the title cut but his talents explode all over this album. So, I ask myself, "How could have I missed out this great guitar work over thirty years ago?" My only answer is that the mainstream 8os sound put me off so much, that I missed the great guitar solos.

[caption id="attachment_3051" align="aligncenter" width="299"] Stevie Ray Vaughan[/caption]

Another point to make is that there is absolutely nothing wrong with Bowie's vocals anywhere on the album. When you listen to each song, you know without a shadow of a doubt that it's the Starman singing. His unique voice was as good as ever. This leads me to alter my original verdict on "Let's Dance" to state that Bowie's vocals and Vaughan's guitar work save the album. Like with many albums, I did find a lesser known good track on this one. That track is "Cat People (Putting Out Fire)" and that even takes the top spot from the former fave, "Modern Love."

Track Listing:

1. Modern Love
2. China Girl
3. Let's Dance
4. Without You
5. Ricochet
6. Criminal World
7. Cat People (Putting Out Fire)
8. Shake It

[caption id="attachment_3052" align="aligncenter" width="215"] David Bowie[/caption]

David Bowie- vocals

Carmine Rojas- bass

Omar Hakim, Tony Thompson- drums

Nile Rodgers- guitar, horn arrangements

Stevie Ray Vaughan- lead guitar

Rob Sabino- keyboards

Mac Gallehon- trumpet

Robert Aaron, Lenny Pickett, Stan Harrison- tenor saxophone, flute

Steve Elson- baritone saxophone, flute

Sammy Figueroa- percussion

Frank Simms, George Simms, David Spinner- backing vocals

R.I.P. David Bowie

While "Let's Dance" is better than what I remember from over thirty years ago, after I listened to it, I did listen to "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and Spiders From Mars" again. That album is more my style. Whichever album you from David Bowie you prefer, you can't the fault the contribution this great singer made to music for over forty years.

Next Post: U2- War  (Unless someone else who put out an album in 1983 dies)

To buy Rock And Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com 

Great Metal Albums of 1982: Twisted Sister- Under the Blade

 

From great EP's often come great albums. Three of the four songs featured on Twisted Sister's EP, "Rough Cutts" would go on to be recorded on their debut album, "Under the Blade." Many people have said that the earlier the Twisted Sister material, the better and you can't get much earlier than this album. Although for me personally, their best album was yet to come but that takes nothing away from just how great "Under the Blade" is.

Having seen Twisted Sister live five times, two of those as headliners, one thing I founnd disappointing both times was that they don't play enough songs from their first two albums. Obviously, they will play more songs from their most successful album but I would have loved to have heard them play more from this album. The songs that were played were the title cut and "Shoot'em Down." Both are fantastic songs, but I would have loved to hear "Run For Your Life" as well as my favourite track on the album "Bad Boys of Rock and Roll." That's one I like singing to myself whilst moving around the house. Furthermore, the closer "Day of the Rocker" would have been a mindblowing song to close the show. I don't know if it's Eddie or Jay Jay who play the guitar solo on this one but it's a killer. Whenever, someone casts doubts upon the guitar playing of French and Ojeda, I immediately think of "Day of the Rocker" as a counter. Any other song would have been great to hear live and at the moment, both "Run For Your Life" and "Tear It Loose" come to mind especially.

Before 1985, this album was only available in the US as an import. I did see it in a music store once but had no money on me at the time. When I went back a few days later, it was gone. I had to wait until 1985 when it was re released on Atlantic Records to get it. That version has the very amusing single "I'll Never Grow Up Now" on it. Back in the day, that was something I was feeling quite a bit  but it's another song I like to keep singing after it has long since ended.

Track Listing:

1. What You Don't Know (Sure Can't Hurt You)
2. Bad Boys of Rock and Roll
3. Run For Your Life
4. Sin After Sin
5. Shoot'em Down
6. Destroyer
7. Under the Blade
8. Tear It Loose
9.                                                                   I ll Never Grow Up Now
   10.                                                                    Day of the Rocker

[caption id="attachment_2918" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Twisted Sister[/caption]

Dee Snider- vocals

Jay Jay French- guitar, backing vocals

Eddie 'Fingers' Ojeda- guitar, backing vocals

Mark 'the Animal' Mendoza- bass, backing vocals

AJ Pero- drums

"Under the Blade" is such a great album. It's raw and shows a band that were lean, mean and hungry. Every track is an absolute winner for me and it just so happens that Twisted Sister have one more chance to show off this album. They will be playing their farewell concert at Bloodstock next summer and I have every intention of making it there to witness this important piece of history. Let's hope that they will play a few more songs from this iconic album.

On the same day at Bloodstock, two slots before the great Twisted Sister, Venom will be invading the stage. Therefore, in respect to that, their 1982 album will be my next post.

To buy Rock And Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com

Great Metal Albums of 1982: Hanoi Rocks- Self Destruction Blues

 

First of all, no one spotted the mistake in my last post. Boppinsblog came close as he pointed out that "Live At Budokan" was a Cheap Trick album, so one 80smetalman gold star awarded there. But that wasn't the mistake I was referring to. Boppinsblog was close though because the mistake had to do with the quote from Wayne's World. See, the quote I used on the last post was from Wayne's World 1 while the photo below it was from Wayne's World 2. I'm afraid that no one gets the grand prize this time.

Now onto the second album in 1982 from Finnish glam metallers, Hanoi Rocks. When I visited the predecessor, "Oriental Beat," I commented on what a great feel good, party album it was and I stick by that. I won't be so flowery about the second album, "Self Destruction Blues." The album just simply bloody rocks!

Just about every track on this album is an absolute corker and one thing that it has in common with its predecessor is that each songs seems to improve as the album progresses. Except for maybe "Whispers in the Dark," that's not quite as good as the others. However, putting it first wouldn't be a good idea because "Love's an Injection" is such a great opener. If you think that "Problem Child" was a cover of the AC/DC classic, it is nothing of the sort. It's still a cool song.

What I find about most of the songs on this album is that the titles of the songs hardly appear in their song. "Desperado," my favourite track, is only sung once. If I didn't have the title in front of me, I would have thought it was called "Ten Thousand Heartaches." Nevertheless, the song is just brilliant so full marks to the band for that little twist. The same can be said for such other cool tracks like "Beer and a Cigarette" and "Kill City Kills." Again both are great tracks. The title track is actually done in a blues fashion and it's good to hear Michael Monroe's voice stretching out a bit. Full marks to the band again. The closer, "Dead by Xmas," in my mind is a case of Bon Jovi meets The Clash. I mean the piano sounds very similar to that on the first Bon Jovi single "Runaway." Then when the song kicks in, it sounds very much like The Clash but it's well done. In fact, I think the humour that went into the album, along with some fine songs, make "Self Destruction Blues" a fantastic album.

Track Listing:

1. Love's an Injection
2. I Want You
3. Cafe Avenue
4. Nothing New
5. Kill City Kills
6. Self Destruction Blues
7. Beer and a Cigarette
8. Whispers in the Dark
9. Taxi Driver
10. Desperado
11. Problem Child
12. Dead by Xmas

[caption id="attachment_2403" align="aligncenter" width="317"] Hanoi Rocks[/caption]

Michael Monroe- lead vocals

Andy McCoy- guitar

Nasty Suicide- guitar

Sam Yaffa- bass

Gyp Casino- drums

After the recording of the album, Gyp Casino would leave the band and be replaced by Razzle

Another fun hard rocking album from Hanoi Rocks in 1982. Had I been more aware of this band in the year, I would have concluded that Finland must be a place to rock because albums like this one certainly give that impression.

Next Post: Saxon- The Eagle Has Landed

To buy Rock And Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com

Great Metal Albums of 1982: Y&T- Black Tiger

 

They say you learn something new everyday and the other day I did. My first experience of Y&T was in 1983 when I saw and heard their video for "Mean Streak" on MTV. I liked the band and I liked the song and that was the start of my experience with them. Now last week I stated that there was a song on the Riot "Restless Breed" album that sounded a little like Y&T. I assumed that since Riot had been around since the 1970s, that Y&T must have drawn influence from them. As I now dig deeper into the band's history, (not only the album but the band too passed me by in 1982), I have discovered that Y&T's first album actually came out in 1976, the year before Riot's first album. So maybe it was the other way around but that doesn't matter. It was a good song and the 1982 "Black Tiger" album is a good album.

If you heard the 1985 single "Summertime Girls" and think that was Y&T, forget about it. "Black Tiger" is a true metal album. I like the introductory first track "From the Moon." It is an instrumental with some flashy guitar work that simply draws you into the rest of the album. "Open Fire" is a rip roaring track that holds you interest and Y&T puts their personal stamp on this one. I love the guitar solo on "Don't Wanna Lose," Dave Meniketti does smoke the finger board on that one. After your ears get bashed around a bit by the next few tracks, which the track "Forever" stands out the most. This is one of those catchy anthem type songs that you can sing along with. It also opens with a gutsy guitar intro before going almost thrash, wow was all I could say.  Things take a more boogie rock approach with "Barroom Boogie." This in an enjoyable song and one I would put down as a good drinking tune. Unfortunately, the next song, "My Way or the Highway" is the weakest link here. It has some good moments but seems to let itself down in some places. However, things go out very nicely with the near ballad, "Winds of Change," a really good song. So with "Black Tiger," I have found another band where I must go back and listen to some of the early stuff.

Track Listing:

1. From the Moon
2. Open Fire
3. Don't Wanna Lose
4. Hell or High Water
5. Forever
6. Black Tiger
7. Barroom Boogie
8. My Way or the Highway
9. Winds of Change

[caption id="attachment_2875" align="aligncenter" width="300"]                                             Y&T[/caption]

Dave Meniketti- lead guitar, lead vocals

Phil Kennemore- bass, vocals

Joey Alves- guitar

Leonard Haze- drums, percussion

The price I paid for serving my country back in 1982 was that I missed a lot of great albums and some great bands. With Y&T and "Black Tiger," I missed both at the same time.

Next post: Iron Maiden- Number of the Beast

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

Great Metal Albums of 1981: Motley Crue- Too Fast For Love

Back in 1981, I thought I did a great job keeping up with all the music that was going around at the time, especially considering the fact that I was a bit hampered by serving in the military back then. However, the more I explore this year in music, not only have a drawn the conclusion that 1981 was a killer year for music, I feel slightly sick at my discovery of how many great albums that went past me unnoticed, including this debut album from Motley Crue.

I did hear the album in retrospect after hearing the great follow up to it and I did like it then but hearing it again after such a long lay off, I like it even more. There are some killer jams laid down on this one. The first five songs on this album really get things going here. All of them can be metal classics so I find myself asking "Why aren't they?" Maybe I will find the answer as I continue the journey through the golden age of heavy metal. Actually, I should say the first six songs because "Piece of the Action" was quite a good belter as well. Again, I don't take anything away from the rest of the album as they too are decent songs and the title track quite rightly can stand along side the first six. What I conclude was that in 1981, Motley Crue were definitely hungry and that hunger shown in the intensity of "Too Fast For Love."

Another issue from listening to the album has also surfaced here. I now offer an official apology to Crue guitarist Mick Mars. See, I always had him written down as the worst guitarist in metal but now I withdraw that branding from Mick. Getting things in perspective, I am not going the other way and start comparing him with the likes of Van Halen, Nugent, Rhodes or even Iommi, but "Too Fast For Love," proves to me that he's not as bad as I first figured. Mick, if you're reading this, my most humble apologies.

Track Listing:

1. Live Wire

2. Come and Dance

3. Public Enemy #1

4. Merry Go Round

5. Take Me to the Top

6. Piece of the Action

7. Starry Eyes

8. Too Fast for Love

9. On With the Sh0w

[caption id="attachment_2427" align="aligncenter" width="276" class=" "] Motley Crue[/caption]

Vince Neil- vocals

Nikki Sixx- bass

Mick Mars- guitars

Tommy Lee- drums

"Too Fast For Love" shows Motley Crue at a time when they were hungry and just wanted to create some good in your face heavy metal. As we will see further on down the line, something changed but we can leave that til another day. In the mean time, lets celebrate what has become for me, one of the biggest surprise albums from 1981.

Next post: The Plasmatics- Metal Priestess

To buy Rock and Roll Children, go to www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London

1980: A Golden Decade Begins

You may be already or if not you will probably soon will be sick of me constantly broadcasting my belief that the 1980's was the golden age of heavy metal. One of my original motivations for beginning this blog was to trumpet that belief, with the intention of backing it up by portraying all the great albums, bands and other fantastic memories I have from that year. There were some down sides to that golden decade as well, especially with who the US and UK had as president and prime minister during that time, but that's another matter.

Golden decades have to start somewhere and for me it started in 1980. My life back then was totally different. First and most important, I was serving my country and had been in less than six months when it all began. As a new marine, I was longing to be sent to Iran and go and rescue the hostages single handed. Three days before the botched rescue attempt in the April, my battalion was woken up at two in the morning and driven to the air base forty miles away and put on a plane only to be told it was a drill. Three weeks later, President Carter sent us to Key West Florida to deal with the Cuban refugee crisis. I spent the last four months on a ship sailing around the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean where I got within 67 miles of the coast of Iran, but once again, wasn't allowed to go and kill anybody.

Enough of my life for that year, what about the music? In the first months of 1980, I can say I was a total convert to Molly Hatchet, playing the "Flirtin' With Disaster" album constantly.

I also found myself being led down the trail of other great bands that would make their mark that year in the form of AC/DC, Judas Priest and especially Van Halen. The first two mentioned would put out albums that would fully enshrine them as all time greats and although in the case of Van Halen, some would look down on the "Women and Children First" album, (I don't) they would still be one of the biggest names of that year.

Judas Priest

AC/DC

Van Halen

I will of course be visiting all of these albums when I cover the decade opening year as well as those who were up and coming like Iron Maiden and Saxon and visiting other classic albums as well. So, I hope that you will all join me for what looks like to be a glorious ride through rock/metal history.

Next post: Foreigner- Head Games

To buy Rock And Roll Children, go to www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/RockAndRollChildren.html

Also available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Froogle and on sale at Foyles Book Shop in London