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.
