It’s hard not to like Anvil after all they went through. But that’s all in the future, and this is in the past, where it all started. This album was released back in ’81 in prime NWOBHM time, but these guys were from Canada. They were obviously a big influence on Anthrax as they have said so much, and other bands in the thrash scene, but that’s in the future.
The album opens up with School Love. Yup, the lyrics are well dodgy mentioning peaches and beaves, but the music and production is top notch with a great guitar sound. AC/DC is another lyric masterpiece – NOT. I’ll get this out of the way now as ALL the lyrics on all songs are pretty bad. I did not realize how similar Ted Nugent and Lips’ lead playing is, you could swear that Ted was playing on AC/DC At The Apartment has an AC/DC style riff with that plod groove. I Want You Both With Me is a straight up boogie. It was written by Dave Allison, who also sings lead vocals and it is the only track with no Lips involvement on either of those things. Bedroom Game closes out Side 1 and it’s the most metal track on the album with double kicks all the way through. and is my favourite on the record.
Ooh Baby opens up Side 2 and it’s a rehashed Ted Nugent riff and groove. A cover of the Stones’ Paint It Black follows and it’s an ok rendition, nothing great. Oh Jane is next up and it’s the only self penned lyric that is not a sleaze fest as Lips is saying how much he misses his one true love whilst out on the road. Hot Child has a nice riff and a cool gallop groove. The album closes out with Bondage and it’s another Nugent-inspired riff and groove. I’m sure Ted would approve of the lyrics as well. To be fair, the middle eight on the track is pretty killer. It’s amazing that the next album Metal On Metal, would do so well for them, but it was head and shoulders above this one.
7/10 from The Grooveman.
