This is Tangier’s third and final album, released in ’91. Hailing from the rock and roll capital of the world, Philadelphia (well not really), they suffered as did all the bands of time by the great grunge unpleasantness.
A kick-ass band, especially live, they open this opus up with Down The Line: a ripping hard rocking beast with some killer slide guitar, and this one sneaks it as my favourite. I love that slow pounding, slight funky groove to Caution To The Wind. The hook and chorus are huge, as is the production, which is stellar. I think we all know I like riff and a nice fat guitar, and they don’t let me down with You’re Not The Lovin’ Kind. There is a big old school Whitesnake vibe to this one. Since You’ve Been Gone feels like an old rock n’ roll sweetheart love me do tune. Takes Just A Little Time has a huge southern vibe with that slide “geetar.”
Excited gets Side 2 under way, and that riff and piano screams Nashville. Well, at least a blues bar in Nashville. Back In The Limelight kicks off with a great guitar break, these guys can write a great hook and melody. Sure, it’s nothing new and they are recycling riffs, but doesn’t everyone? It’s ballad time with the single Stranded, and this is where I switch off as this could be a song by any number of bands because it’s just a generic stock sound. It’s double entendres time next with Its Hard. Sorry to disappoint, but it’s just a good old Friday night party tune. The album closes out with If Ya Can’t Find Love – very reminiscent of Aerosmith around the Permanent Vacation period.
Good record with an epic production.
8.5/10 from The Grooveman.
