Tag: talas

I think this line up of Talas only existed for a very short time, and this is the only album they are on. This was recorded at L’Amour club in New York, although I’m sure the crowd is dubbed on afterwards.

I’m not sure I’ve ever heard an album where the bass is so prominent in the mix. That’s not to say that it’s over powering (because it’s not). Billy has quite a clean treble tone to his playing that is very noticeable, you can hear what an incredible player he is.

Mitch Perry on guitar is a revelation, his playing throughout the album is superb. The instrumental track, The Farandole sees both Sheehan and Perry trading some killer licks. Highlights from the album are Do You Feel Any Better with some great guitar from Perry, and the blowout ending of Shy Boy which flies along at a mean pace.

Talas are a cool band, and not your typical rock band.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

Hailing from Buffalo, on the border with Canada – this is the band’s second outing. Talas are mostly known for having virtuoso bass player Billy Sheehan in their ranks, and there is no doubting whose band this was – it was all about Billy. His playing dominates the whole record and there is an Eruption style solo piece NV43345.

A fun fact – the original version of Shy Boy is on this album, which would later appear on David Lee Roth’s first solo album, Eat ‘Em And Smile.

Song wise, the album is really strong – it’s just the production that lets it down as it’s sounds a bit flat. The title track is a kick ass track that really rocks and has a killer groove. Shy Boy is not that much different from the DLR version – it just needs filling out. King Of The World is a cool stomp rocker with some great guitar – and may be the only track that’s not overloaded with bass. Ironically the only track that is a full band written track (as Billy wrote everything else) is Outside Looking In, and other than the solo, its one of the weakest tracks on the album.

Not a bad album, and it’s cool to hear early albums from muso’s who went on to have great careers.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.