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  3. KICKIN VALENTINA - "Imaginary Creatures" (2017)

    in Sleaze Glam

    Posted

    from internet sources:

     

    KICKIN VALENTINA - Imaginary Creatures [Japan Edition] (2017)

     

    KICKIN%2BVALENTINA%2B-%2BImaginary%2BCre

     

    We have been closely following on this blog the evolution of KICKIN VALENTINA, the current American answer to all the '80s sleaze hard rock coming from Scandinavia. Today August 11, the guys from Atlanta, GA, are releasing their new CD titled "Imaginary Creatures".

     

    After the first spin one thing is for sure; they have matured as musicians, and they rock harder than ever.

     

    If you're new to them, Kickin Valentina fuses together elements of rock’n’roll, hair metal, melodic rock and sleazy hard rock. However, in "Imaginary Creatures" the four-piece smell more like gasoline than hairspray, a bunch of songs that packs a 'Mike Tyson in his prime' punch.

     

    From the moment they pop the clutch in the lead up to the first track “Eyes” to the final note of the title track, the band takes you on a high-speed adventure of down n' dirty hard rock (but really melodic) that you won’t want to end.

     

    The songwriting is superb throughout the album with lyrics you cannot help but sing along with as you listen. In songs like “Turns Me On”, “Street”, “Heartbreak” and “Imaginary Creatures”, your body just wants to dance to the beat.

     

    Others, such as “Eyes” and “Devil’s Hand”, feature scorching guitar solos from guitarist Heber Papillon. Drummer Jimmy Berdine expertly keeps things chugging along at a steady pace. As I would expect from a bluesy, sleazy rock type band, the bass from Chris Taylor is exceptionally well done and very prominent in the mix. In fact, it really helps hold together the other instruments.

     

    Let’s take a brief moment here to appreciate the vocals of Joe Edwards. His rough, husky voice sets the tone for the band, evoking the appropriate emotion for each tune.

    No more apparent is this than in the semi-power ballad “Crazy”, an ode to that part of us that is just a little bit out of control and reckless.

     

    Kickin Valentina does a cover of Elvis‘ “Burning Love”, an ok version but I felt was unnecessary. They can write their own darn good songs.

     

    KICKIN%2BVALENTINA%2B-%2BImaginary%2BCre

     

    "Imaginary Creatures" would have turned platinum thirty years ago. You can hear many of Kickin Valentina influences here from Guns N' Roses, Junkyard, LA Guns to Motley Crue and beyond, and everything in between.

     

    However, while Kickin Valentina‘s sound is reminiscent of the glory days of '80s US Glam Metal / Hard Rock, the have a distinctive touch with their own raw edge.

     

    I strongly recommend you purchase "Imaginary Creatures" so that you can put a little more hard rock in your life. There is no doubt in my mind that this album is one of the best sleazy hard rock releases of 2017.

     

    01. Eyes
    02. Turns Me On
    03. Devils Hand
    04. Eat And Run
    05. Crazy
    06. Street
    07. Roll Ya One
    08. Heartbreak
    09. Burning Love [feat. Chris Green]
    10. Imaginary Creatures

     

    Joe Edwards – vocals
    Heber Pampillon – guitar
    Chris Taylor – bass
    Jimmy Berdine – drums
    Chris Green (Tyketto, Rubicon Cross) – guest guitar on 9

     

    BUY IT !
    www.pcimusic.jp/catalog/wtn/1708/02.html
    .

     

  4. L.A. Guns - "The Missing Peace" (2017)

    in AOR and Hard Rock

    Posted

    I think this deserves it's own thread. Sounds pretty damn killer to me!

     

    http://www.frontiers.it/album/5409

     

    lagunsalbummay.jpg

     

    ALBUM DETAIL

     

    As the revival of the classic ‘80s hard rock and heavy metal scene continues unabated here in the 21st century, one reunion has been at the top of the wishlist of many a fan for a long time: the songwriting combination of Tracii Guns and Philip Lewis under the L.A. Guns banner. What once seemed like a distant memory with no hope of returning has now come around and fans are about to be rewarded for keeping their fingers crossed and their hopes up.

     

    L.A. Guns never looked like the pretty poster boys that so many of their peers did, but more the band that you would be terrified to bump into an alley as they would likely be carrying switchblades and ready for a fight. But despite having many a song to back up that image, the band could also write powerful ballads (see the smash hit, “The Ballad Of Jayne” for Exhibit A of this argument) that showed there was some serious songwriting chops in the band. Those chops are on fully display on “The Missing Peace”, arguably one of the most vital and exciting releases in the band’s catalog.

     

    The story of how we got from the band’s powerful early years to here has already been well documented, so no need to rehash it. What’s important to know and understand is that the driving force of all those classic L.A. Guns songs, Tracii and Phil, is back and in a BIG way. Feeling inspired and excited like they did when they first started out, but with many years of wisdom and experience under their belts, “The Missing Peace” will surely please fans of the band’s classic albums (the self-titled debut, “Cocked And Loaded”, and “Hollywood Vampires”) as well as their widely heralded “comeback” albums (“Man In The Moon” and “Waking The Dead”). In fact, this album feels like the next logical step after the critically heralded “Waking The Dead” album and shows a band invigorated and ready to bash you over the head, as well as “wow” you with some epic, slower songs, proving you don’t always needs a semi-truck to run people over.

     

    TRACKLIST

     

    It’s All The Same To Me
    Speed
    A Drop Of Bleach
    Sticky Fingers
    Christine
    Baby Gotta Fever
    Kill It Or Die
    Don’t Bring A Knife To A Gunfight
    The Flood’s The Fault Of The Rain
    The Devil Made Me Do It
    The Missing Peace
    Gave It All Away

     

    LINEUP

     

    Philip Lewis – Vocals
    Tracii Guns – Guitars
    Johnny Martin – Bass
    Michael Grant – Guitar
    Shane Fitzgibbon - Drums

     

     

    https://youtu.be/2FN5HTSiOt4

  19. Quiet Riot - Road Rage

    in AOR and Hard Rock

    Posted

    I'd like to know what this reviewer was smoking:

     

    QUIET RIOT - "Road Rage"

     

    Finally, QUIET RIOT are back with "Road Rage", their first album of new material in almost 10 years to be released by Frontiers Music this week. And it's a pretty killer record.

     

    Originally set for release in spring 2017, Quiet Riot made the decision to re-record the entire album with new vocalist James Durbin.

     

    After the tragic loss of original frontman Kevin Dubrow, since 2010 Quiet Riot has gone through four vocalists, finally just granting vocal duties to former American Idol contestant James Durbin.

     

    James came in fourth in the 10th season of American Idol in 2011 and has proven himself a formidable vocalist in the music industry.

     

    With the blessing of the late Kevin DuBrow’s family, Quiet Riot 2017 includes drummer Frankie Banali - who has been the longest serving member (34 years) and is joined by legendary session bass player Chuck Wright (House Of Lords, Giuffria) and skilled guitarist Alex Grossi (Bang Tango, Adler's Appetite).

    And this line-up ROCKS.

     

    "Road Rage" is exactly what you expect from this long serving band of Rock and Roll. Full of hooks, riffs and face melting guitar solos, this is arena-ready classic hard rock.

     

    Durbin’s vocals work perfectly with the sound we have all come to know as Quiet Riot. The album is so full of great hits that you’ll struggle to find just one favourite track.

     

    Opening the album is 'Can’t Get Enough', which showcases Durbin’s high-pitched vocals reminiscent of all '80s singers in this genre. The band is tight and Banali’s direction lends a more groovy feel as opposed to the hair metal vibe of Quiet Riot’s earlier iterations.

     

    ‘Getaway’ starts with an intro that has the feel of Aerosmith’s Living on the Edge and a swing to the groove that please without blowing you away.

     

    It’s the freshness of the bluesy almost-Badlands-like ‘Roll This Joint’ though that takes you by surprise, it’s good, very good and even though you may have heard that stuttering riff before, it works and Durbin sounds like he’s found his stride.

     

    ‘Freak Flag’ is a catchy rocker, an absolute head banger with a chorus to belt out at the top of your lungs. There's some intense riffs which add to the power of the song. The solo provided by Grossi is in itself pure Rock and Roll and throw in that spoken hook – what’s not to love?

     

    ‘Wasted’ and is another track which throws you straight into a head bang. With another catchy chorus and strong back beat, this is another belter of a song. It has a double vocal track in sections with a multi-voice chorus which is very similar to classic Quiet Riot. The lyrics show a maturity in their song writing, but is 100% Quiet Riot through and through.

     

    Another notable number is 'Still Wild' which has a familiar drum line opening and a definite bluesy influence. It’s got a great slow jam feel with Durbin’s vocals fitting the song perfectly.

     

    Rounding out this effort is a smattering of tracks perpetuating the energetic classic hard rock concept of this Quiet Riot 2017. 'Make a Way', 'Renegades', 'Shame' and and the catchy 'Knock ‘em Down' all invoke an image of youth, revelry, pride and conviction. Durbin belts out his lyrics with fervor, proving that his addition to the band was a wise move.

     

    'The Road' is another lovely tune, perhaps the more "80s QR" with a catchy rhythm and a highly commercial melody and could do well on Rock radio with some promotion.

     

    After all the troubles to get this album properly recorded, I was expecting the worst.

     

    Instead, with "Road Rage" Quiet Riot have gelled into a tightly coiled unit on their best record in decades.

     

    The album is full of that '70s / 80s classic hard rock vibe showing the world that time may pass, but great music / bands will always continue to deliver. This is a really balanced album that will have you playing it on repeat over and over again.

     

    HIGHLY Recommended

     

    01 - Can't Get Enough
    02 - Getaway
    03 - Roll This Joint
    04 - Freak Flag
    05 - Wasted
    06 - Still Wild
    07 - Make a Way
    08 - Renegades
    09 - The Road
    10 - Shame
    11 - Knock 'Em Down

     

    Frankie Banali - drums
    Alex Grossi - guitars
    Chuck Wright - bass guitar
    James Durbin - vocals

     

    Pre Order:
    www.amazon.de/Road-Rage-Quiet-Riot/dp/B071FKGKFC
    .

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