Back to ’76 we go, the first album released by this legendary Californian hard rock band. It wasn’t until the Earthshaker album that Yesterday and Today shortened the name to just Y&T. You sort of expect for Dave Meniketti to sing all the vocals as that’s every thing you know after Earthshaker, but here Joey Alves and Phil Kennemore also sing leads.
This album is far from what they would become in just two albums time, but all the elements are in place. The production is very flat and empty and I’d love to hear this album with a big shot producer behind the desk. Still, for ’76 the record has a great heavy groove to the songs and was a bit ahead of the curve.
Earthshaker the track is a killer tune and has a gallop groove that Iron Maiden would perfect a few years down the line. Game Playing Woman has a very unusual middle section which I really like, especially the solo. However my favourite tune is Come On Over as it’s the nearest to the Y&T we all know and love. It has a nice fat riff and groove with a nice hook and chorus.
A cool look back into the last of one of America’s great rock bands.
7/10 from The Grooveman.
