Asphalt Ballet are out of San Diego and this album reminds me of Guns N’ Roses, LA Guns vibe. There was a second album called Pigs, but the record company were putting the squeeze in the band to put out more of a grunge record.
First track in, Hells Kitchen is heavy with the GnR vibe, it feels and rocks hard. Soul Survive follows and is my favourite track. A great groove and swing to this one, with a hint of the south thrown into the mix. Tuesday’s Rain has a killer intro, very reminiscent of The Cult. Unlucky Mr. Lucky is pure LA sleaze with a groove and feel we are all familiar with. End Of My Rope is another kick ass sleazy groover with that swing you can’t help but move to. Heaven Wind Blows starts with a nice, acoustic, stripped back groove and has the same feels as Cats In The Cradle.
Blood On The Highway opens up Side 2 with a serious southern feel and groove. Goodbye Yesterday has a more commercial edge to it with a big hook and chorus. Of course, it’s all done with a sitting at the end of the bar vibe. Wasted Time follows and the vibe and groove are a lot more laid back, but still with that hint of the south. Taking A Walk on the other hand is back to the Faces vibe complete with horns, that is until the pace increases with a race to the finish. Hangman Swing does what it says on the tin: a big, sleazy, blues rocker with plenty of swing. Blue Movie is next up and I love the jazz groove at the intro before the sleaze returns. The album closes out with Do It All Again, and the Everybody Wants To Be Cat vibes are screaming at me.
Within a couple of years nearly all these type of bands were gone, being swept away by the great Tsunami that was grunge.
8/10 from The Grooveman.
