This is the band’s fourth album, released in ’83. They have had a revolving door of members, apart from the ever present Bobby Barth who would join Blackfoot in 2004. They were mainly known for a more melodic and softer approach to their music, but this album really rocks in that early eighties style.
Opening track Heat In The Street is a great kick ass tune with hints of classic Deep Purple in there, it’s definitely my favourite tune. Young Hearts follows and it’s a nice one. All Though The Night has a very simple riff that you will have heard countless times, but the beat and groove are just kick ass rock n’ roll. I Think You’ll Remember Tonight would have been a great single as it’s a very classy power ballad with a great solo. She’s Had The Power rocks in that late seventies way with a great hook and chorus. Side 1 closes out with Girls Girls Girls, and the main groove is a very dirty biker rock n’ roll with an added Motown-style hook and chorus.
Eagle Flies Alone opens with a more familiar keyboard intro before the guitars kick in, and then the hook and chorus is very eighties and reminds me of tons of tunes. Keep Playing That Rock And Roll is the only cover on the album and is better than the original, it sounds very Bob Seger. Foolin’ Your Mama Again is pure AOR by numbers. It has plenty of keys and the trademark big hook and chorus. That vibe keeps going into Let The Music Come Back, which is a mirror image. The album ends with Masquerade, a track which doesn’t really get going. You feel as thought it’s about to explode but it never does. If you were to own just one Axe album then it should be this.
8/10 from The Grooveman.
