This is an absolute belter of an album from a band gifted with all the tools to make one. This is their 2nd release and it’s the one that put them in everyone’s living room – due to the single, To Be With You. This track wasn’t even the lead off single – it was the third single. Sometimes record companies just haven’t got a clue! The band were already out and touring the album when the single went huge, and it kept them on the road for forever.
The first album was a much more bluesy affair, mirroring the band from which they took their name. This time, they went for the throat right from the off with killer opening track Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy. What an opening track ! A great riff, hook, melody – the whole nine yards. Alive And Kickin’ has a very sleazy groove, but man are this band good! Killer vocal, great guitar and bass – what more could a guy ask for? Green Tinted Sixties Mind was the second single and I really love the harmonies and vocal on this track. Lucky This Time has a slow rock groove with an awesome short snappy Paul Gilbert solo. Voodoo Kiss closes out Side 1 with an acoustic intro and a funky groove that keeps the toes a tappin’.
Never Say Never has a heavy blues rock vibe with a great swing to it, and as with all the tracks on the album, it has superb harmonies and melody. Just Take My Heart was the last single from the album and the follow up To Be With You and treads the same path. I love Paul Gilbert’s big rock guitar sound on My Kinda Woman. A Little Too Loose has a superb slow blues swagger and Eric Martin’s voice was made for songs like this. Road To Ruin has a killer vibe and superb harmonies and vocals – and what a great chorus! The album closes out with To Be With You, and the band will be dining out on this tune till the end of their days.
They have moments since where they have written killer songs, but this album is their best.
10/10 from The Grooveman.
