Tag: quiet riot

This album does not feature Kevin DuBrow who was replaced by Paul Shortino when DuBrow was fired before the recording sessions began for this album due to him running his mouth off all around town. Nothing new there right?

The only single released was opening track Stay With Me Tonight, which dented the lower regions of the charts. Truth be told the vibe and groove is totally different on this album, with a much more mature blues rock feel. Shortino is a great vocalist and they played to his strengths, but that wasn’t what the fans wanted. I really like this album, the songs are great just not very commercial.

Calling The Shots has a great groove and Carlos Cavazo plays some great guitar, and the hook and chorus are really cool. King Of The Hill is my favourite track. Killer riff and groove, and Shortino sings his ass off. This should have been a single! The Joker has a slow stomp groove and would have been great live with that call and repeat vocal. If the record company wanted to release a big commercial track they should have released Don’t Wanna Be Your Fool. Put a big video to that and winner winner chicken dinner.

I think the problem was that it wasn’t the guy with the big mouth fronting the band and the sound was just too different. Great album though!

8/10 from The Grooveman.

Thanks to the lovely people at No Remorse Records in Greece, not only do we get the first QR album, but they have reissued the second as well. This is streets ahead of its predecessor, not only in the song writing department, but also Randy’s chops have improved a squillion %. This is more like the Randy that would appear on Ozzy’s first solo album – although it’s still a big leap – the vibe is more party and fun than the Oz’s full doom fest.

The album opens with Slick Black Cadillac, which I’m sure most of you will have heard of – it points to the future of the band. You Drive Me Crazy is a little cheesy and is more of a nod to the first album. Afterglow is a good song, it’s just the arrangement that lets it down. Eye For An Eye is the same – it needs a good producer to flush out the good song hidden within. Trouble closes out Side 1 and it reminds me of a certain Cars song.

Killer Girls opens up Side 2 and it sounds like a Kiss outtake, but I do like the change in groove around the chorus, and Randy’s solo shows all his tricks he had at the time. Face To Face starts and feels like a Sweet tune, and Randy’s solo is really over the top. Inside Out returns to the mid-seventies in vibe and feel. Album closer, We’ve Got The Magic, is the only sole Randy penned tune on the album, and if you’re expecting something guitar-esque then (other than the solo) you will be disappointed – it’s just more of the same.

One year later, Blizzard Of Oz would appear and Randy’s entry into the guitar god hall of fame would be secured, but that’s one hell of a leap from this.

7/10 from The Grooveman.

I have been looking for the first two Quiet Riot albums for some time. They were only released originally in Japan, and when they came up anywhere they went for big money. So a big thank you to No Remorse Records in Greece for finally putting these albums out. There is an extra bonus with this the first album, as the original three track single, Suicide Show, from ’75 is also included.

There have been a few things said in print from Randy’s mom alluding to EVH copying things from Randy’s sound, and it should be Randy getting more credit than Ed did. I think things have been well documented that Randy was at Mammoth and VH shows, and the fact that George Lynch was blown away at how good Eddie was.

This album came out in ’78, the same year as VH’s first album, and I think you will agree that the band’s are light years away from each other. The songs aren’t that good on this album – it sounds very mid-seventies. Randy does play some mean solo’s on this album for sure, and if you’re a fan of his, then I guess this is a must have. My favourite track is Get Your Kicks. The bonus track, Suicidal Show, is interesting as in reverse its Crazy Train by Ozzy, which would appear two years down the line – Randy would be unrecognizable from these recordings.

7.5/10 from The Grooveman.

I was amazed to find out that the band were formed back in ’73 by Randy Rhoads, along with Kevin Dubrow and some lunatic called Kelly Garni (who threatened to kill Dubrow). Metal Health was the third release by the band, and was recorded after the departure of Randy to Ozzy’s band. His replacement, Carlos Cavazo, was in place to record this record, and a great addition to the band he was.

The person who decided to record Slade’s Cum On Feel The Noize, was an absolute genius, as this was the perfect song to highlight Dubrow’s voice – and it’s the ultimate party anthem. Of course it was a huge hit, and the band entered the big leagues because of it. They didn’t have to rely on covers, as the original songs on the album hold up well. Slick Black Cadillac was another hit party anthem as they had the whole sing-a-long chorus thing down to a fine art. There is one duff song on the album though, and that’s Don’t Wanna Let You Go. It’s an average attempt at a ballad which is not that good.

In my opinion Side 2 is the better of the two sides, and opens with the gallop that is Breathless. It’s a decent song with a strong hook and melody, and some tasty playing from Cavazo. Next track, Run For Cover, is the best track on the album and rocks hard. It has plenty of guitar from Cavazo, and some nice double kicks from Frankie Banali. This leads into the Carlos Cavazo showcase that is Battle Axe. Back to party city with Let’s Get Crazy, and this type of song is what they do best, big riffs, big stomping drums, sing-a-long chorus, and an incendiary guitar solo. The last song is Dubrow’s tribute to Randy Rhoads’ Thunderbird.

After this album there was Condition Critical, which was ok, and then it was slowly on the downhill trajectory after that. I still find this a fun record to listen to. Is it going to change the world? Err nope. But is it going to put a smile on your face remembering the fun times? Absolutely!!!

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.