Tag: Y&T

The first three albums after the band’s name change: Earthshaker, Black Tiger. and Mean Streak were all classics and faithful to the band’s hard rockin’ sound. Now this is album number eight. They had a lot of success on the radio and MTV with a more commercial approach, using a lot of big hooks and the customary sing-a-long chorus on the two previous albums. Does this album stack up with the three classics? Yes, is the short answer, but in a more commercial way as they used a lot of outside writers. The big money production is there in full and this record sounds awesome. So, that’s a plus.

The opening title track is a typical Y&T rocker and sets things up nicely. LA Rocks is a bit of a throw away tune really, giving the record company what they want with a very radio-friendly tune. The band have always written great power ballads and Temptation is in that vein with a killer solo from Dave Meniketti, who actually didn’t have a hand in writing it. The Kid Goes Crazy is a Hot For Teacher rip-off complete with cheesy Roth style raps. I mean, it’s a great tune with a killer solo but not too original. Fight For Your Life has a simple riff and groove which carries the song through and the expected killer solo.

Side 2 kicks off with Armed And Dangerous and if that’s not a signature Y&T intro I don’t know what is, although I’m sure I’ve heard that hook and melody before. Rhythm Or Not follows and sounds huge with a big pounding beat and simple groove. Bodily Harm follows and it is the only song on the album with no members having a hand in writing it. The intro is killer, as is the whole song. It’s super commercial, it’s as catchy as a disease at a disease convention, and yup – favourite track. Eyes Of A Stranger has a huge sounding big riff intro and it’s power ballad number three with the emphasis on power, and boy do they know how to write a melody. The album closes out with the instrumental I’ll Cry For You, and it’s all about Dave and very reminiscent of Parisienne Walkways, which is an appropriate comparison as Gary Moore puts as much feeling into his playing as Dave does. So, it’s not as good as the first three but it’s close, and it’s very solid album.

8.5/10 from The Grooveman.

This is the 4th studio album from this San Francisco 4 piece. This album is the middle one, and in my opinion is the best 3 album run of the band’s career with Earthshaker, Black Tiger and Mean Streak. Sure, they had hits on other albums, but for consistency in the all killer no filler department, these albums rule.

Opening up with the short intro piece, From The Moon, and we are off running with the awesomeness that is Open Fire. A great up-tempo rocker with a great riff. Don’t Wanna Lose was an attempt at writing a radio friendly track and they seemed to manage that ok. Hell Or High Water has that slow rock stomp with the big anthem sing-a-long chorus. Forever closes out Side 1, and this is one of the band’s best tunes. I love everything about this song! Killer vocals, guitar, and a great melody and chorus.

Side 2 starts with the epic title track, Black Tiger, and what an amazing intro to start the track. This is up there with one of the best ever songs by the band, and this is one of my go to Y&T songs. A good old fashioned blues rock romp follows with Barroom Boogie. Sometimes the simple songs are the best, and this song is no exception. A simple riff and groove and away we go. My Way Or The Highway is the penultimate tune and another big sing-a-long slow rock anthem. It leads into the close out track, Winds Of Change. Thankfully not the cheesy Scorpions tune. Y&T have always put these slow build monster tracks at the end of albums, and you don’t forget tracks as good as this.

Dave Meniketti is an amazing guitarist and an awesome singer, and the band are killer! This would sit nicely in anyone’s collection.

9.5/10 from The Grooveman.

Formed in Oakland California back in ’74, they were originally called Yesterday and Today. In ’81 they changed their name to Y&T and released this, their third album, in ’81. To some, me included, this is their finest moment. Led by the supremely talented Dave Meniketti on vocals, and awesome guitar. For two albums at least, I thought they would go on to join the big leagues. They had everything going for them, great players and killer songs – plus they had Journey’s management team with them.

The first thing you notice here is the killer production. Every thing is super clear and separated. The drum sound is freaking huge and makes for a monster sound. Hungry For Rock is a great song to open with, as it does what it says on the tin. Dirty Girl, complete with very suspect lyrics, is a killer tune with a great vocal and guitar. Shake It Loose is my personal favourite as the tune rocks – it has a huge fat riff and planets of guitar. Squeeze is the only song that Meniketti does not sing, Phil Kennemore handles this one, and I think this is the only time he did. What a way to close with Rescue Me, an absolute epic close out track with killer everything.

Side 2 kicks off with Young And Tough and a fat huge distorted riff that leads into a big sing-a-long rock anthem. Hurricane is next – I could not think of a more apt name – as this kicks in just like one. The guitar playing is top draw and shows how awesome Meniketti is as a player. This track most definitely ROCKS!!! Let It Go slows the pace down slightly, but has a very catchy chorus and hook and the obligatory killer solo to add that cherry on the top. Knock You Out follows and is another high octane rocker that doesn’t disappoint with that awesome middle section. This band sure know how to pace an album as the close out track is about as epic as this band get. One of the best power ballads you will hear.

In my humble opinion, I think this is their best album. Sure they had some killer tracks on all of their releases, but none had quality songs all the way through like Earthshaker had.

10/10 from The Grooveman.