This is album number two for these Bay Area rockers, and then they sort of disappeared, which is criminal as these guys could write some killer melodic hard rockin’ tunes.
I mean, the intro to opener Road To Ruin is worth the price of the album alone. The Dolby intro is genius and the guitars sound huge. The quality keeps on a coming with Red Shoes. A killer groove and feel that would do Van Halen justice, with a hint of funk thrown in. Next up is Face Down In The Wishing Well, and this is as catchy a tune you will hear. Monster riff and groove and the patented sing a long hook and chorus is just perfect. Ballad time with Long Hard Road is next and the production is super clear, and the vocals sound as though they are in the room. Side 1 blows out with On The Run. Killer riff at the intro and this song reminds me of a much heavier version of Styx, especially those vocals.
Stop Look And Listen opens up Side 2 and is my favourite on the album. A fast uptempo rocker with a killer riff that grooves hard. A really cool sounding guitar announces the arrival of Pretender, a much gentler tune (well at the intro anyway). The switch is flicked about a third of the way in and the melody and harmonies are superb. Huge shout out to guitarist Steve McKnight who is a revelation on this album.
It’s party time next with Dirty Dog Night. A full on glam slam groover with the feel good factor at the max. The quality keeps on coming with West Wind Blows. These guys certainly know how to do intro’s. The song has a killer riff and groove that’s superb and the hook and chorus are huge. The album closes out with Back To You which has a pounding bass and drum line, with a cool guitar over the top.
These guys should have been really huge, but we all know what happens shortly after.
9.5/10 from The Grooveman.
