Superb album!!! Not a bad note played, and for a debut album it’s up there with the best. On paper, great musicians make great records, and that is definitely the case here. Paul Gilbert was known for being a shredder both for his solo work and with Racer X, Billy Sheehan was fresh out of the David Lee Roth band and he plays bass like a guitar, Eric Martin is blessed with a set of pipes that you could only wish for, and Pat Torpey who sat on the drum stool for way too many people to mention here.
First up is Addicted To That Rush, and Billy is resurrecting that Shyboy fast bass groove thing with Gilbert really giving it the beans. Wind Me Up is such a killer track with a superb riff, massive hook and chorus, and everyone plays their ass off. Merciless is next, it starts with a very busy, almost funky groove, and settles down to a funk/rock hybrid, and Paul Gilbert just rips it up. Had Enough is a Billy Sheehan composition that starts with a bass solo and settles into a slow brooding melodic groover. Side 1 closes out with Blame It On My Youth, and what a killer sounding riff. Great vocal from Eric!
Side 2 opens up with Take A Walk, and it’s the best track on the album with a ripping riff and groove; Paul just rips it up and Eric is singing his ass off. Superb song!!! Big Love is an Eric written tune, and I love the swing and vocal to this track. How Can You Do What You Do follows, and was co-written with Eric and Jonathan Cain. Nope, t’s not a ballad – it’s a great uptempo pop/rock tune with short snappy Paul solo. Anything For You is the only ballad on the album but it’s a good one. The album closes out with Rock & Roll Over with a heavy blues rock groove. Great band, great album!!!
10/10 from the Grooveman.
