Now, I’ll admit to not taking Mr. Roberts too seriously as the image of a pumped up heavy metal Rambo character didn’t really do it for me. I’m more of a substance over image kinda guy. If you ignore the cheese and concentrate on the tunes, then this is not a bad party rock record.
Rock Doll makes my point perfectly. A simple, hands in the air crowd pleaser. However, Women On The Edge Of Love is a whole different vibe and its melodic rock that Bryan Adams would be proud of. It’s a very catchy tune with a huge chorus! TripleX is up next and we are now in AOR territory. A very slick tune driven by the sing a long hook and chorus, plus you get to hear Kane play a very tasty solo. For your first album you get the opportunity to do a solo piece and you think it would be grade A, but Gorilla is anything but. Outlaw is a straight up 4-4 rocker. If This Is Heaven brings Side 1 to an end and again, the AOR vibes are high and the image is nothing like the product.
Out For Blood is the first track that sounds like you think it would. Double kicks all the way and the hook and chorus are so cheesy that you can’t help but smile. It’s favourite track time with Full Pull. This song stands out on its own as the arrangement and keys add a different vibe to the rest of the album, plus Kane plays the best solo on the album. The intro of Too Much could be a Pat Benatar or Foreigner song. It’s ballad time next with Wings Of Fire. The middle eight and solo are cool but aye, it’s just a ballad. The album closes out with A Strong Arm Needs A Stronger Heart and this is one song that’s crying out for a heavier sound and groove instead of the Bon Jovi-lite arrangement.
It’s an okay album, but you expect a lot more hidden behind that cover.
7/10 from The Grooveman.
