Tag: warrant

Jani Laine’s story is a sad one for sure, but he did leave us with a fine body of work and some very memorable songs.

This is another one of those “re-record some of your hits and stick it together with some new tunes” record. These versions don’t have the big slick production as the originals did, but that raw stripped down sound suits the songs quite well. I mean a good song is a good song, right? Cherry Pie, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, Heaven, and Sometimes She Cry’s will be remembered long after we’ve all left this world.

The three early albums have all been re-released on vinyl, so most fans will have them anyway but this is a fun accompaniment to those.

8/10 from The Grooveman.

So with the release of Warrant’s second album in 1990, the band struck gold mainly due to the title track lighting up the charts and becoming the band’s signature tune. Of course this was also a poison chalice for front man and main songwriter Jani Lane, as he hated the fact that people would recognize him as the “Cherry Pie guy” until the day he died.

Enough of the sadness, let’s celebrate what was probably the last of the great hair rock albums before the grunge bomb hit. Cherry Pie is a killer tune and it opens up the album, but there is so much more goodness hidden in the grooves, like the second track Uncle Toms Cabin, which is my favourite. Great hook and chorus, and Jani’s vocals are superb, what a great song! I Saw Red is the first power ballad on the album, and I have to say I really like it. Mainly due to the vocal and the guitar when the power kicks in. Bed Of Roses has a great hook and melody, and just a hint of what is now known as Americana in the main verse. Sure Feels Good To Me is a kick-ass up tempo rocker that closes out Side 1. A definite feel good Friday night special.

Over to Side 2 we go with Love In Stereo and, boys and girls, I’m pleased to say it’s more of the same. A great sing-a-long hard rockin’ tune with a snappy solo. Blind Faith is the second power ballad and was the fourth single released. Song And Dance Man has its feet in two camps, as its part ballad and part rocker. I love the rocker part as the riff is really cool and the solos are killer. Talking about solos, there were big rumours at the time that the solos were played by hired guns, namely Mike Slamer from Streets.

Next track, You’re The Only Hell Your Mama Ever Raised carries on the sing-a-long party anthem vibe of most of the record. Mr. Rainmaker has a a nice riff but it’s Jani’s voice that drives what is otherwise a stock melodic rock tune. A cover of Blackkfoot’s Train Train follows, I love the original with that deep southern groove, and Warrant gave it the LA treatment. The album finally closes out with Ode To Tipper Gore. I get the freedom of speech thing, but just putting a selection of swear words from live shows together is something a 12 year-old would find cool.

9/10 from The Grooveman.

Just like Skid Row, with their Subhuman Race (which I reviewed recently), Warrant were in the exact same position. They had huge success with their previous two albums, especially Cheery Pie which was massive and they came up against the wall that was grunge. They also took on the same approach by toughening up their sound, and again I also love this more than their other releases. I know it didn’t sell as well, but man this is a kick ass record.

Opening up with Machine Gun they lay it down on the table with a heavier groove and vibe, but still tons of melody to grab onto. Hole In The Wall is even better, a deep heavy riff and groove, a superb hook and chorus, plus a short sharp voice box solo. April 2031 has to be the heaviest riff the band came up with. The whole song is mirroring the sounds that are around them but keeping that melodic element intact. It’s ballad time next with Andy Warhol Was Right, at least up until the middle section which rocks on up and is really cool. Bonfire has a killer funk tinged vibe and groove, and is my favourite track on the album. The last track on this side is The Bitter Pill, and when you consider how Jani Lane ended up its quite poignant lyrically.

Side 2 kicks in with Hollywood, another track with that hint of funk to the vibe of the tune. A really cool tune! All My Bridges Are Burning is a close second in the fave track stakes, as I really love the riff and harmony vocals, and the guitar sound is killer. Quicksand follows and if there was any justice this should have been a single. Great tune and the vocals are really awesome. Big power ballad number two with Let It Rain, and you know how this one goes. Inside Out is without doubt the most out and out metal song they ever did. Double kicks and harmony guitars all the way. Yes please! The album closes out with Sad Theresa and is just a beautiful song. Starts real slow and acoustic, then the power kicks in. I really like this album and Jani wrote everything, shame he’s gone.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

It’s not too shabby when your debut album ends up going double platinum, and a single from said album went to number 1 in the charts. That’s just what happened to this album. In fact, the two albums after this (Cherry Pie and Dog Eat Dog) did really well against the tide of grunge that they were swimming against. There was a lot of talk at the time that the band was put together just to make money and all of the music was contrived. I think that could have been jealousy amongst other bands who were struggling at the time. I do remember Dave Reynolds in Kerrang giving a very average review.

The opening three tracks are a pretty solid opener for any band with 32 Pennies, Down Boys, and Big Talk, all rockin’ tracks that are well played and written. The title track is prime time party rock, as is In The Sticks and Tiding High. There are too many ballads for me on this album to get my full attention though, as that is when I usually zone out.

8/10 from The Grooveman.