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Tag Archives: Quiet Riot

Now Normal Chronicles or: The Choice

06 Monday Jul 2020

Posted by TGBII in Video

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Tags

B-52s, Echo and the Bunnymen, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Heart, Music, Pat Benatar, Public Image Limited, Quiet Riot, Steely Dan, The Grateful Dead, Video

Salutations™!!

There were several albums to choose from today. ELP’s Trilogy, Steely Dan’s Countdown to Ecstacy, the debut B-52s album, Precious Time from Pat Benatar, PIL’s This Is What You Want… This Is What You Get, the self-titled album from Heart, QRIII from Quiet Riot, the self-titled fifth album from Echo & The Bunnymen, and In the Dark from the Grateful Dead. All of them had anniversaries today. But, this is the song I picked to play. I love it.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“The sweetest song is silence that I’ve ever heard. Funny how your feet in dreams never touch the earth. In a wood full of princes, freedom is a kiss. But the prince hides his face from dreams in the mist.” – “These Dreams” (Taupin/Page)

Spinning Sunday or: The Listens 4/25/20

26 Sunday Apr 2020

Posted by TGBII in Records, Spinning Sunday

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Tags

a-ha, AC/DC, Al Green, Bon Iver, Charles Aznavour, Cranes, Depeche Mode, Discogs, Eagles, Elton John, Firefall, Genesis, Gerry Rafferty, Iggy Pop, Jerry Goldsmith, Jethro Tull, Joe Cocker, Joe Jackson, Love and Rockets, Men at Work, Midnight Oil, Music, Quiet Riot, Randy Newman, Records, Rickie Lee Jones, Stephen Stills, The Doors, The Less Desirables, The Police, The Who, Tom Jones, Underdog Records, vinyl, Yes

Salutations™!!

Dear sweet baby [enter deity here], please let this be over soon. If for no other reason, I want to get back to Underdog Records, see Jonathan and buy vinyl goodness. Amen.

Listen42620

©All the record companies… I don’t own the copyright on these

You know my religion is “non-Prophet” so that was really just symbolic. However, the sentiment is exact and true. I want to get back to Underdog. The good news is Jonathan is doing a lot of deliveries and is still getting in new stock. I don’t buy a lot of new stuff so that throws me behind. I am more about the used stuff and, well, I figured it’s just not as feasible for him to rifle through the used stuff. That’s okay. I have plenty to keep me company here, but there’s nothing like the thrill of bin diving. I love it. Anywhat!

This week, I was home more than usual (usual for the lockdown) and The BCPF had work and conferences via Zoom, so I was under headphones a lot this week. I listened to 23 albums. I should probably try to listen to some podcasts during this downtime but I really want to listen to music. I suppose this is the equivalent of being a chef and having to cook at home, or being a truck driver and having to drive the family to Florida for vacation or per my old job working with the family sand business, why would I go to the beach when I can see sand anytime I want? So, I’m just not in the mood to listen to podcasts on my “downtime.” That’s cleared up.

The criteria for my streaming listening (for this list, anyway) is this: I have to own it on vinyl. I can’t listen to it on vinyl because of the situation, but I want to act like I am. So, I use the Discogs shuffle feature and see what pops up. Oddly enough, on the same day, I had two from The Who and even odder, I had two Yes albums right in a row; one I wish I had drawn after the other started. That worked out for me. Here’s my headphone “haul:”

  • Randy Newman – Good Old Boys
  • Joe Cocker – Joe Cocker!
  • Jerry Goldsmith – Logan’s Run (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
  • AC/DC – Let There Be Rock
  • Tom Jones – Tom
  • The Doors – The Doors
  • Quiet Riot – Condition Critical
  • The Who – Who Are You
  • The Who – Who’s Next
  • Men At Work – Cargo
  • Iggy Pop – TV Eye 1977 Live
  • The Police – Reggatta de Blanc
  • a-ha – Hunting High And Low
  • Yes – Close To The Edge
  • Yes – Fragile
  • Gerry Rafferty – Night Owl
  • Eagles – Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975
  • Depeche Mode – Songs Of Faith And Devotion
  • Rickie Lee Jones – Pirates
  • Firefall – Élan
  • Jethro Tull – M.U. – The Best Of Jethro Tull
  • Genesis – Abacab
  • Joe Jackson – I’m The Man

    collage142620

    ©The record companies

That was a good listen haul, I think. I enjoyed most of it a lot. I didn’t have that I didn’t like, I just would have preferred something else, I guess.

Then yesterday, The BCPF and I had our listening time and we shuffled through these albums:

  • Stephen Stills – Stephen Stills 2
  • Charles Aznavour – Aznavour!
  • Bon Iver – For Emma, Forever Ago
  • Midnight Oil – Diesel And Dust
  • Cranes – Self-Non-Self
  • Al Green – Let’s Stay Together
  • Love And Rockets – Express
  • Elton John – Tumbleweed Connection
collage242620

©The record companies

That’s what we listened to. Follow Underdog Records on Facebook and Instagram, you’ll see what he’s got going on and you can get into the delivery thing and have him bring you some records. Also, visit the website to order new vinyl. Obviously, I use Discogs and even more so this week. There are no TLD/UR specials right now but I still hope you listen to the episodes. Okay, that’s all I have. Have a great week, stay home if you can, wash your damn hands and stay safe!

Until tomorrow, keep spinnin’…
Scorp out!

—
“Walked out this morning, don’t believe what I saw. A hundred billion bottles washed up on the shore. Seems I’m not alone at being alone. A hundred billion castaways looking for a home.” – “Message in a Bottle” (Sting)

Sounds Like Saturday or: QRIII

06 Saturday Jul 2019

Posted by TGBII in Sounds Like Saturday

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Tags

Chuck Wright, MTV, Quiet Riot, Rudy Sarzo, Sounds Like Saturday

Salutations™!!

Today is the anniversary of several albums, good ones, but this one I picked just because it hit me hard when I was a kid. I had just moved to WSNC (two weeks in) when QRIII from Quiet Riot came out. I was a big fan of the band’s previous two albums, Metal Health and Condition Critical. I understand this didn’t have the same impact on most people and it really didn’t for me, but this one song, being one to have just gotten MTV two weeks prior, I loved this. I love hard rock with keyboards and this was there in abundance. I didn’t even bother looking for a cover as the video rocked my socks. I always loved Rudy Sarzo, but he was gone at this point and Chuck Wright was in. So, happy 33rd-anniversary QRIII. Enjoy!!

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“The wild and the young. They all have their dreams. The wild and the young. They’ve got to be free. The sun never sets for souls on the run. The wild and the young.” – “The Wild and the Young” (Dubrow/Cavazo/Wright/Banali/Proffer)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 9/16/17

17 Sunday Sep 2017

Posted by TGBII in Records, Silent Sunday

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Tags

.38 Special, ABBA, Art Garfunkel, Bangles, Black Sabbath, Blondie, Carly Simon, Carole King, Dan Fogleberg, Discogs, Duran Duran, Eddie Money, Ella Fitzgerald, Elvis Costello, George Harrison, Haircut One Hundred, Haydn, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, Jim Croce, Joan Baez, Laura Branigan, Metallica, Miles Davis, Mozart, Nat King Cole, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Paul Simon, Pete Townshend, Peter Paul and Mary, Player, Quiet Riot, Ratt, Red Rider, Sting, Styx, The BCPF, The Kingston Trio, The Moody Blues, Underdog Records, Van Halen, Werner Müller

Salutations™!!

Underdog Records was jumping yesterday but The BCPF and I didn’t see most of our “regulars” friends that we usually get to hang with. That was sad, but it was a great day otherwise. We filled in some “collection” gaps, I added to my hard rock genre, The BCPF got one of her favorite albums of all time. It was a great day. Here it is:R-3555769-1481559753-1737.jpeg

  • Paul Simon – Graceland (Top 5 for The BCPF, had it special ordered for her, new)
  • Sting – …Nothing Like The Sun (The BCPF nearly squealed when I presented it to her)
  • Metallica – Kill ‘Em All (NM used copy)
  • Metallica – Master Of Puppets (on RS Top 500 of All Time, I never cared for it before now, it’s a fave, NM used)
  • Metallica – …And Justice For All (2xLP, NM used)
  • Quiet Riot – Metal Health (Dutch pressing, VG+)
  • Bangles – Different Light
  • George Harrison – Cloud Nine
  • Player – Player
  • Miles Davis – Decoy (VG+ clean copy)
  • Ratt – Ratt
  • Eddie Money – Can’t Hold Back
  • Elvis Costello And The Attractions* – The Best Of Elvis Costello And The Attractions (VG+)
  • Black Sabbath – Master Of Reality (1974 pressing, VG+)
  • Art Garfunkel – Fate For Breakfast (with what has to be the silliest back cover photo ever)
  • Art Garfunkel – Scissors Cut
  • The Moody Blues – The Other Side Of Life
  • Duran Duran – Notorious (still sealed, will change that soon)
  • Dan Fogelberg – The Innocent Age
  • Styx – Kilroy Was Here
  • Carly Simon – Anticipation
  • Van Halen – Fair Warning
  • Haircut One Hundred – Pelican West
  • Red Rider – As Far As Siam
  • Jim Croce – Photographs & Memories: His Greatest Hits
  • Pete Townshend – Empty Glass
  • Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere
  • Nat King Cole – When You’re Smiling
  • The Nat King Cole Trio – The Vintage Years
  • 38 Special – Strength In Numbers
  • 38 Special – Wild-Eyed Southern Boys
  • Carole King – Simple Things
  • Carole King – Touch The Sky
  • Carole King – One To One
  • Carole King – Rhymes & Reasons
  • Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass – S.R.O.
  • Laura Branigan – Branigan 2
  • Peter, Paul And Mary – Album 1700
  • Kingston Trio – The Best Of The Kingston Trio Vol. 2
  • Werner Müller – O, Tannenbaum (Christmas On The Rhine)
  • Joan Baez – Joan Baez Vol. 2
  • Mozart*, Haydn*, N.W.D.R-Orchester, Hamburg*, Leopold Ludwig – Symphony No, 41 “Jupiter”, Symphony No. 94 “Surprise”
  • Ella Fitzgerald – Ella In Hollywood
  • Blondie – The Hunter
  • ABBA – Greatest Hits

In addition, there is another jazz album that is from the 1930s but it’s not in Discogs so I will have to put it in, I suppose. It should be in soon. Getting back into vinyl? Then Underdog Records is your place! Whether you’re getting new stereo/turntable equipment, looking for the best accessories for your equipment or to buy a shload of vinyl, this is it. And Discogs is where I do all my cataloging and archiving.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I don’t take coffee, I take tea, my dear. I like my toast done on one side. And you can hear it in my accent when I talk. I’m an Englishman in New York.” – “Englishman In New York” (Sumner)

Silent Sunday or: The Haul 8/26/17

27 Sunday Aug 2017

Posted by TGBII in Records, Silent Sunday

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Tags

AC/DC, Accept, Aerosmith, Blue Note, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Buddy Holly, Carly Simon, Chicago, Clay Howard, Club Nouveau, Crosby Stills and Nash, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Discogs, Donovan, Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Ghostbusters, Heart, Iron and Wine, Janet Jackson, John Waite, John Williams, KISS, Kris Kristofferson, Led Zeppelin, Lionel Richie, Mannheim Trio, Mozart, Music, Nana Mouskouri, Neil Young, Pedro the Lion, Quiet Riot, Ray Stevens, Rush, Star Wars, Steven Wilson, Superchunk, Survivor, The Beatles, The Cars, The Charlie Daniels Band, The Hollies, The Less Desirables, The Rolling Stones, The Romantics, Underdog Records

Salutations™!!

After a week off from records to absorb deliciously fermented grape juice, we made up for it at Underdog Records on Saturday. I’m sure Jonathan wasn’t complaining. Let’s just do it!

COTN_album_cover

©Casablanca/Island Def Jam/UMe

 

  • Kiss – Creatures Of The Night (the last of the original makeup albums, I had to order this off of Discogs as it was back ordered through distributors, new)
  • Superchunk – Superchunk (their first album finally released on vinyl, they’ve come a long way because this was hard for me to listen to, I have seen them play twice, new)
  • Iron And Wine – Beast Epic (brand new and I’ve seen him once, new)
  • Steven Wilson – To The Bone (really great album once I realized it was to be played at 45RPM, bone colored vinyl, new)
  • John Williams, The London Symphony Orchestra – Star Wars (really great, clean copy, could be an original pressing?)
  • Led Zeppelin – Coda (clean copy)
  • Led Zeppelin – Houses Of The Holy (pretty rough but it was $1)
  • AC/DC – Powerage (not a fan of AC/DC but it was a good copy)
  • The Rolling Stones – Undercover
  • The Rolling Stones – Tattoo You
  • Quiet Riot – Condition Critical
  • The Beatles – Hey Jude (because of what it is, I never had a copy on CD, this is my first copy of this album)
  • Accept – Balls To The Wall
  • Crosby, Stills & Nash – Daylight Again
  • Eagles – One Of These Nights
  • Rush – 2112 (not a big fan of Rush but it was a $2 VG- copy, so…)
  • Ray Stevens – Gitarzan
  • Kris Kristofferson – Me And Bobby McGee
  • The Hollies – He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother
  • Donovan – Open Road
  • Diana Ross And The Supremes – Reflections
  • Chicago – Chicago 18
  • Chicago – Chicago VIII
  • Chicago – Greatest Hits, Volume II
  • Carly Simon – No Secrets
  • Heart – Little Queen (The BCPF found this when in Elkin last week whilst I was tasting wine)
  • Bob Marley & The Wailers – Soul Revolutions Part 2 (ditto)
  • Various – Rockin’ Easy – 24 Laid-Back Hits (2xLP compilation)
  • Survivor – Eye Of The Tiger
  • Buddy Holly / The Crickets – 20 Golden Greats
  • Mannheim Trio Plays Mozart – Seven Trios (Complete)
  • Aerosmith – Toys In The Attic (not a fan of Aerosmith, but it was $1)
  • Neil Young – Harvest (I’m trying to collect the Rolling Stone Top 500 albums of all time, at least most of them, this was on it)
  • The Charlie Daniels Band – A Decade Of Hits (first time I’ve actually bought this even though I had a copy on cassette and CD, they were somehow just “left” with me)
  • Pedro The Lion – It’s Hard To Find A Friend
  • Lionel Richie – Can’t Slow Down
  • Nana Mouskouri – Le Coeur Trop Tendre (we are such suckers for 60s French pop, even though she’s Greek)
  • Fleetwood Mac – Mirage (we got the “alternative” take version of this for Record Store Day)
  • John Waite – No Brakes
  • Various – Blue Note Live At The Roxy
  • The Cars – Greatest Hits
  • Club Nouveau – Life, Love & Pain
  • Various – Ghostbusters (Original Soundtrack) (I wore the cassette out for this when I was a kid)
  • The Romantics – In Heat
  • Janet Jackson – Control

That’s quite the haul. It’s hard to tell what I missed yesterday because we were a little late getting there and I know Clay had already been through. We were quite excited with this haul and it’s already been good listening. If you’re thinking of getting into vinyl, getting back into vinyl or just want to expand your vinyl collection, then you need to get by Underdog Records. They have turntables, receivers, speakers, cleaning accessories and more. Listen to The Less Desirables each week to hear what the Underdog/TLD special is for that week. And use Discogs to archive and log your vinyl collection so you always know what you have.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“The road is long with many a winding turn that leads us to who knows where. Who knows where? But I’m strong. Strong enough to carry him. He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother.” – “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother” (Russell, Scott)

The World’s Greatest Lie or: Ready to Strike (Eugeology Entry 17)

04 Thursday May 2017

Posted by TGBII in Music Review

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Alice Cooper, Carmine Appice, David Michael-Philips, Eugene B Sims, Eugeology, Johnny Rod, Jon Lowder, Kick Axe, King Kobra, Kix, Marcie Free, Mick Sweda, Pasha Records, Quiet Riot, Ready to Strike, Spencer Proffer, That Metal Show, Tia Carrere, W.A.S.P., Yngwie Malmsteen

Salutations™!!

Last week’s selection was a bit weird for me. I liked it okay, but didn’t love it. That’s fine, it happens. Of course, Jon and Eugene are behind. They’ll catch up, probably. But, more of the Eugeology train…

KingKobra_ReadyToStrike

©Capitol Records

#17 – Ready to Strike by King Kobra.

All I ever knew of this band was the promo pics of Carmine Appice, in his cheesy tiger-striped spandex bodysuit and fu-manchu mustache, advertising either drums, cymbals or sticks. I thought it looked silly, even though I was into stuff like that. Something about Carmine that always made me not like him. I really don’t know what that is because when he was on That Metal Show he seemed like a genuinely cool guy. Anywhat!

This came up and I wondered why I hadn’t ever thought to listen to it. I guess it just wasn’t something I necessarily wanted to hear. That happens and preconceived notions are, sometimes, very restrictive. So, I kranked this up (see what I did there?) and let it fly. I thought I was listening to some Yngwie Malmsteen or something because of all the chiming synths and Gothic sounds. That, on its own, isn’t like Eugene, but on the whole, I have to think of the Alice Cooper, Kix and Kick Axe that he likes and, well, okay, it makes sense. I have been surprised by some of the poppy-happy albums that he puts on this list, though. Not disappointed in that, but surprised.

Carmine does a good job on the album. The guitar work on this album, that of David Michael-Philips and Mick Sweda, is at times really flashy. However, it’s all classy and not gratuitous. I really like the guitars’ tone on this album. It’s meaty and beefy and fills the whole album with sonic fullness. A then-unknown Johnny Rod (he later got some recognition with W.A.S.P.) does some sweet bass runs and glissando and holds that bottom end, deep. Musically this album is solid. But, as usual in these Eugeology albums, for me, the real highlight lies in the vocals.

Marcie Free (then she was known as Mark) has a phenomenal voice! It’s depth ranges from near-glass-shattering highs to ear-rattling power to heart-breaking emotion. She picks just the right attribute to use in each performance.  The only part I didn’t like from her was this crazy falsetto thing in one of the songs. I have gone back and now I can’t find it, but it’s not that important. She makes this album great. Spencer Proffer (and Carmine) do a nice on the production, too. It’s full and bombastic. What you’d expect from 1985, I’d say.

Some of my favorite songs on Ready to Strike are “Hunger” (written by Kick Axe – no wonder Eug likes this), “Dancing With Desire,” “Second Thoughts.” My absolute fave on the album is “Tough Guys.” It is awesome. There are a couple of songs that I don’t care for and I can’t put my finger on what they are. Those would be “Shake Up” and “Attention.” Well, I know what bothers me about “Shake Up.” Those lyrics are that whole “fist in the air/live for rock and roll” mess. I don’t like that. “Attention,” I guess, sounds like “Walk Like An Egyptian” on speed and then they switch to Tia Carrere’s version of “Ballroom Blitz.” I don’t know why I don’t like those, but I don’t. Two of the songs were co-written by Kick Axe, the aforementioned “Hunger” and “Piece of the Rock.” Spencer Proffer (Pasha Records – think Quiet Riot) is all over the song-writing credits, too. And someone that is named H. Banger, which to me, sounds like a pen name for someone. I’m pretty sure the “H” stands for Head. I find nothing on this person in my searches.

All-in-all, it’s a great album with but a few clunkers. I’d say that’s still a good thing. I want to read E & J’s takes on it. I may hear from them around Father’s Day on this one. I also want to hear from you, Dear Reader. What do you know/think of this album? I look forward to responses. What’s next, Eug?

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Don’t ask why… Cause we all know that tough guys don’t cry. The world’s greatest lie is that all of us tough guys don’t cry” – “Tough Guys” (King Kobra/Banger/Proffer)

All the Rules Are Gone or: Vices (Eugeology Entry 4)

02 Thursday Feb 2017

Posted by TGBII in Music Review

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Brian Gillstrom, Eugene B Sims, George Criston, Jon Lowder, Kick Axe, KISS, Kix, Larry Gillstrom, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Motorhead, Pasha Records, Quiet Riot, Raven, Raymond Harvey, Saxon, Spencer Proffer, Victor Langen

Salutations™!!

I knew this was coming. Not this album because I knew nothing about the group other

viceskickaxe

©Pasha Records

than they had a cheesy and remarkably cliche 80s hard rock (“heavy metal”) name. But, I knew the band would show up at least once. I am also predicting a Kix album, a Raven album, possibly a Saxon album and a Motörhead album in the next 46 entries in Eugeology: Eugene’s List of Hard Rock Albums and Possible Gems. That’s not a knock or a bad thing, just a prediction. I welcome them all. I do want to hear/read Jon’s take on this. We had a discussion this past week about the list and what we’re either getting out of it or what’s surprising us. He’s a different perspective than Eugene and I but, again, that’s the point. But, here we go:

#4 – Vices by Kick Axe.

(Note – There is a self-rebuttal to this at the end. I listened again, later.)

Well, if nothing else, this gave me a smile, a few chuckles and a lot of shaking of my head. Not that it’s bad. Okay, it is bad, but it has great comedic value. As per Eugene’s request, I listened to the album via headphones. I think that brought out the bass, which Victor Langen does a good job of when he’s not just pedaling; which thankfully isn’t a lot.

What it also brings out, though, is the tinny thinness of George Criston’s vocals. When he’s rough and gritty, there’s power; his screams are blaring if not screeching. Otherwise, I wasn’t impressed. The lyrics are quintessentially 1984. I mean, I can’t really make fun of it because I listened to stuff equally as cheesy (have you heard a lot of the lyrics on Animalize or Crazy Nights from KISS?), but when there are lyrics like “She’s cruel, sly and shameless and she’s always on the prowl. Looking longing, sets her sights and so she growls. Sinkin’ up inside, your hands run through your hair. Know just when to give in when she drags you to her lair,” I can’t take that seriously. In their defense, most of that genre was like that at the time.

The riffs aren’t bad, they have some decent merit here. Larry Gillstrom and Raymond Harvey hold down those duties fairly well. Their rhythms and solo work is above average and tasteful. The other Gillstrom brother, Brian, holds down the beat and is solidly on the beat (which I can’t really say for the backing vocals). None of the band are especially virtuoso-calibur, which I don’t think was their intention, anyway. They’re wanting to have fun and create a fun atmosphere, I believe. They seemed to have fun. I wish I could say I had more fun listening to it.

The overall production is oddly thin, yet partly muddy, which I found disappointed considering Spencer Proffer produced it and I really enjoyed what he did on Quiet Riot’s Metal Health and Condition Critical. Also, while this list, thus far, has reminded me how much I dug and have missed listening to hard rock, it also reminds me of the stuff that I didn’t like and why. This would be that. I mean no offense to Eug or the band, I just didn’t get into listening to it. There are a few good tunes, though: “Just Passin’ Through” is my favorite on the album. It’s really the only one I could name by name that I liked. There were pieces throughout that I dug, even in the songs that I didn’t care for. It didn’t suck, I just didn’t care much for it. I’ve enjoyed everything else we’ve reviewed, even the Skynyrd album (which I hang my head for even admitting to), this wasn’t not enjoyable, just didn’t move me, at all. Sorry, Eug.

I want to hear his take on this and I am very interested in Jon’s. Check them out and thanks for reading all of the entries.

*self-rebuttal*

Okay, upon the second listen, I have to change some of the things I wrote initially. I left the original writing in to show that I can reconsider my thoughts.

Criston’s voice is still annoying but mostly in “Dreamin’ About You.” He’s got more power than I heard the first time. I can’t explain why I was hearing it differently, other than I listened then with headphones in the studio and the second time at home. I do wish, too, that they would have done more with the 12-string motif at the end of “Stay on Top.” That sounded cool, the sonic quality was better and it was rich. I would have liked to have had that extended.

I double down on Victor Langen’s bass playing. He’s pretty good. I noticed a bit more keyboards the second time but there’s not listing for who’s playing it. It’s mostly ambience, though, so no big deal. I still keep hearing “Magneto” instead of “Maneater” in the song of the same name. So, overall, my feelings didn’t change much, but I wanted to give it another shake to be fair and do my due diligence. I liked it a little better the second time around. I did like “On the Road to Rock” and “Cause For Alarm” on the second listen.

I also rescind the “it is bad” part. It’s not. It’s not great, by any means, but it’s not bad. It’s not a bad listen, actually. Don’t know that I’ll listen again, but you never know.

*rebuttal over and out*

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“Beyond the words of beauty and desire, a memory of you sets me on fire. Your voice was magic, your eye’s would paralyze. I fell under your spell, I was mesmerized. I wish you would make it real.” – “Dreamin’ About You” (Kick Axe?)

Invasion of Your Privacy or: Never Use Love (Eugeology Entry 2)

19 Thursday Jan 2017

Posted by TGBII in Music Review

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

Beau Hill, Bobby Blotzer, Carolina Hurricanes, Eugene B Sims, Jon Lowder, Juan Croucier, KISS, Mötley Crüe, MTV, PMRC, Quiet Riot, Ratt, Robbin Crosby, Stephen Pearcy, TBS, Twisted Sister, Warren DiMartini, Wheelers Dog

Salutations™!!

I think I surprised Eugene on the last one. I can’t wait to hear Jon‘s thoughts on this one. I think Eugene and I have talked about this one before. I know we did see Stephen Pearcy’s Ratt after a Hurricanes’ game when the ‘Canes were passing through Greensboro on their way to Raleigh. Anywhat! Let’s get to it.

#2 – Invasion of Your Privacy by RATT.

rattinvasion

©Atlantic Records

In 1983-84, when I was transitioning from my unintentionally self-imposed KISS-only solitude to my “what is this other wonderful hard rocking stuff I hear” period, Ratt’s Out of the Cellar, along with Twisted Sister’s Stay Hungry, Mötley Crüe’s Shout at the Devil and Quiet Riot’s Metal Health were my vehicles. I didn’t have MTV and my only avenues for this was when HBO played a random video here and there (“Round and Round” and “Wanted Man”) and TBS’ (then still WTBS, I think) Night Tracks and when we would go on unusually placed vacations, USA’s Night Flight. That was a flood of new stuff for me. Hit Parader and Circus were big for me at the time, too. It was really the more polished stuff that I liked the most, and that’s not really changed over the years. I like produced stuff. Beau Hill was pretty good at that. He produced Out of the Cellar and this Ratt album.

Invasion came out in 1985, the summer before I moved to NC. After swearing my non-allegiance to the dark lord, Ma Mère allowed me to buy hard rock albums (well, any albums), after the PMRC poppycock. Like the previous Ratt album, this was fantastic. I’ll admit when I got the tape – yes, on cassette – that I favored the three singles. I didn’t give the proper credit or listen that it deserved. I still don’t own it on CD. The only Ratt I own is Ratt n Roll 81-91. That will have to change. So, I’ve stalled enough, let’s get to the album.

Warren DiMartini, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated hard rock guitarists in rockdom. He’s sporadic but tastefully so. Lots of bends and flash and that’s A-OK with me. He has a style that is pretty noticeable to fans of the genre. He’s fairly young, too. Right now, he’s only 53, which means he was around 20-22 or so when I got into the band.

Robbin Crosby (RIP) was a good guitarist as well, and even with his large stature (6’5″) and big sandy blond hair, he was kind of in the shadows to DiMartini. I can only go by what I read in the rags on that, but I always heard more about Warren than Robbin. But, Robbin did co-write half of the tunes on the album.

Juan Croucier, for a finger-picking bassist, was quick and heavy on that bottom end. He was also a fantastic showman, he played with the bass almost as much as he played the instrument. In listening to this album, though, I hear some plectrum playing as well as finger playing. It’s in tone, really. His playing style though, as was much of the bass players at this time, at least the ones I’m familiar with, was a pure rhythm player, not a lot of flash playing-wise but you can tell when he does run off a riff or two that he knows what he’s doing. And, Bobby Blotzer is a solid drummer. I don’t really have a lot to say about him, but I will say his rhythm in “Lay It Down” is pretty impressive; it wears me out just thinking about trying to play that kick pattern. And if I’m not mistaken, he did that with one foot, not a double kick. Again, impressive.

Stephen Pearcy has a very unique voice, both in tone and texture. His range and mannerisms are distinctly his. You know it is him anytime he’s singing. There’s no getting around that. I’d say that’s the case with Ratt, in general. You know it’s Ratt. Pearcy’s voice was at the same time powerful and subdued. I think that has to do with production more than anything. It’s right there, though, and in your face. I say, great.

I have said and will always maintain that “Lay It Down” has the greatest rock intro, ever. That is the end all, be all of intros, to me. That guitar sound and riff is unforgettable, it sounds so epic. It ranks in the top, I don’t know… 10 of favorite hard rock songs of all time. Again, the slow galloping beat shows Blotzer’s talents off, nicely.

I love, too, how Blotzer uses cymbal crashes to emulate the sound of lightning in “You’re in Love,” the album’s opening track. That song pretty much sets the tone of the album. Which rocks all the way through. One thing that I love about Ratt is that they’re not afraid to use a 12-string acoustic guitar to enhance and fill the songs. It’s not in every song but over the course of their first three albums, the use is prevalent.

All-in-all, this is a top-notch album. Ratt was more than a “hair band” was a hard rock band, through and through. Again, mix that signature sound with Pearcy’s vocals and you’ve got a great sonic collaboration, albeit toxic in nature due to personalities. Doesn’t that always happen to be the case?It’s hard to pick my favorites, but if I had to choose, it would be “You’re In Love,” “Lay It Down,” “Never Use Love,” “What You Give Is What You Get,” “Closer To My Heart.”

I’m glad Eugene included this one, I can’t say I’m surprised by it, either. Thanks Eug! Again, I can’t wait to read his and Jon’s reviews.

Until tomorrow, same blog channel…
Scorp out!

—
“I make my moves, I make them right. I don’t refuse, I keep it light. I take command of the scene because for me, there’s no in-betweens.” – “What You Give Is What You Get” (Croucier)

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