Released in ’92, right in the middle of grungeorama, this album disappeared without a trace. In fact, Roxy Blue split up just after its release.
I say this way too often, but if this was released five years earlier things would have been a whole lot different. I appreciate that they managed to get a deal with Geffen who put this out, but what was the game plan for these guys? It doesn’t make a whole bunch of sense to me but a lot of bands got the one and you’re done deal at that time.
Roxy Blue are from Nashville and you can hear that little bit of country in the songs, but overall this is one kick ass rockin’ album. A great one two punch to open the album with Too Hot To Handle and Sister Sister, both killer made for radio rock anthems. Times Are Changin’ is very “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” but with more balls. It’s So Easy is my favourite song. It’s got a killer riff with that Guns N’ Roses swagger, and a hint of funk.
They have taken influences from all their peers of the time I guess, as Rob The Cradle has huge Van Halen vibes right from the guitar solo intro. That country vibe I mentioned comes right to the front with their cover of The Who’s Squeez Box. Talk Of The Town was a close second for favourite tune as the GnR vibes and killer groove really shakes my tree. Rock A Bye Bye is pedal to the metal full on sleaze o rama. Great tune!
Luv On Me would have made a great single if anybody would have bothered. The one true ballad on the album is Nobody Knows, and I’ll let them have that one. Back to the rock with Loves Got A Hold On Me. The title screams ballad but nope, this is a four to floor rocker with a killer busy riff and groove. The album closes out with Main Attraction, another track with heavy GnR vibes and it grooves along at a great pace.
So, there we have it, a great band with a great record that because of the time it was released and all the journos trying to be hip and following the grunge train, it just disappeared from sight.
9/10 from The Grooveman.
