You don’t usually associate mega record label boss, Clive Davis with bands like Babylon A.D. as he usually is in the company of all the pop diva’s, but he signed these guys after seeing them do a showcase. I remember Kerrang magazine drooling all over the band as well, saying they were the next big thing.
This is a good album, which came out in ’89. The band did quite well from touring the album but when it came to doing a follow up, the great grunge unpleasantness had arrived and BOOM.
This is a good old Californian hair rock in the finest of traditions, and again if this had come out three years earlier thing’s would have been a whole lot different. I know I say that a lot, but it’s true.
Bang Go The Bells is a kick ass opening tune with a great riff and hook. Hammer Swings Down is more of the same, and this track really swings with some great guitar. Desperate has that Joan Jett stomp groove, with a big sing-a-long hook and chorus. The Kid Goes Wild closes out Side 1 with police sirens wailing before the main riff kicks in with a very sleazy groove.
Side 2 starts with Shot O’ Love and it starts real slow before a very dirty slow pounding groove takes over. Maryanne follows with a very simple riff, groove, and a pounding beat. Back In Babylon is my favourite on the album, it has a slow build in the beginning before the main riff kicks in with a great hook and chorus. Sweet Temptation is a fairly typical sleazy groover, and Sally Danced closes out the album with an acoustic blues shuffle until they plug in to bring it on home. If I’m honest, it’s a fairly generic album of the genre but it’s done well.
8.5/10 from The Grooveman.
