gener8tr

Paying homage to a couple legends... I love it.

Good dudes, these guys... I purchased UNDER MY SKIN from their website a few years back and they couldn't have been more thankful and respectful. 

For what it's worth, I really liked Twisted Sister in 1984 when STAY HUNGRY was released... but probably more for their videos and theatrics than anything else.  Let's face it, Steely Dan they are not. 

Saw them live in 1984 with Iron Maiden... fun show.

Coup de Grace is most likely my favorite (complete) album to be released dating back to about 1992 or so... and I'm pretty damn picky.

I don't think any new release can match that effort, but I'm certainly hoping for something along those lines.

Love me some Rocky IV

Hearts on Fire

Strong Desire

Rages Deep Within

Cover art looks like something for a Bob Marley album.

Don't care for the latest sample, either.  This is certainly not D2-era Ted. 

Of course I was turned off from the jump with the album title.  Y'all know "modern" is not a word I've ever been in love with.

I lived AFD first-hand as I was attending college in San Diego the late summer / early fall of 1987 when the album was really taking off.

At the time I was 19 and not a huge fan.  It was a bit too raw and raunchy for my ears then... HYSTERIA; SLIPPERY WHEN WET; GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS; PERMANENT VACATION and WHITESNAKE were still in constant rotation in my cassette decks (car and boombox).

Didn't take long for me to become a fan, however.  Living in SoCal at the time it was hard to escape these guys or that album... they were EVERYWHERE.  I still have fond memories of APPETITE and never turn the dial when any of the singles are on the radio, but I don't appreciate it enough to spend that kind of money on any reissue.  I have the original cassette tape, CD and Japanese vinyl.  I'm all set.

Nothing here approaches anything from "The Greatest Wonder."  I doubt excellence of that caliber can be achieved again.

Love me some Ted... Not hip to these particular tracks.  I look forward to the follow-up to "Beyond The Fade" which was quite excellent.

In case you didn't already know, THIS is my type of tune.  Vintage melodic rock.  Great harmonized vocals, guitars that actually use B and High-E strings, and an old-school vibe that's right up my alley.  Yep, I'll take one, please!

21 hours ago, heavyharmonies said:

Yeah, the original Hardline album is literally one of the best releases of the last 30 years. Essential.

I doubt it will be anything near that, given the softer Hardline tone that subsequent releases have taken, but one can dream...

Hardline and Roxy Blue certainly helped get me through the 90's... or what I call "The Dark Ages."

I'd pay nearly any asking price for a legitimate HARDLINE follow-up (with all original members and original style).  The debut album is so damn good.

I remember first hearing (and seeing) them when they opened for Mr. Big back in late summer 1992 (I think it was 1992?).  Dude's rolled onto the stage and I remember thinking "Okay, that's Neal Schon."  This was pre-internet days, kids, so news and information (like this) was hard to come by

I've not been impressed with any of the so-called Hardline CD's since the debut... Adding Deen to the mix gives me optimism for this one, however.  Anyone know exactly why Joey Gioelli hasn't been involved with the band in 25 years? 

Good live clip... Don sounds WAY better here than the last time I saw him live nearly a decade ago (opening for Scorpions, I think).  I'm guessing some studio tomfoolery is at work.

These guys were so great back in the mid 1980's... criminally underrated, in my opinion.  They never reached the heights that bands such as Motley Crue, RATT, Poison, etc. experienced.  And it's not because they were less talented.

Sambora is a bonafide rockstar.   Phil X is a very good guitar player who would also make for a very entertaining animal-balloon-tier at kids' birthday parties.  Those two should NEVER share the same stage.

I'm actually at the point in my life whereby I pretty much hate everything Jon Bon Jovi stands for... and as I've I've told y'all a million times here over the years, I was probably their biggest fan from 1986 - 1993.

I'll always have great memories.

Okay, not bad... I'd like a bit more guitar and Mutt-like gang backing vocals, but not every album can be Hysteria.

I love Ted, I really do, but I'm still waiting for an over-the-top, sticky-sweet, ultra-produced album that approaches the D2 debut.  That one was just so damn good it's like chasing a ghost.

Had me intrigued at Def Leppard and Blue Tears meets Danger Danger. 

Where can I hear this kat?

I dig the music... the layered guitars and harmonized backing vocals are great... but I'm not in love with the lead vox.  Call me an unforgiving American (I can live with that), but other than some of my favorite British bands (Def Leppard, Iron Maiden, etc.), I wish all lead singers sounded like they were from Santa Monica.

... Now, I actually like that new track (Last Man Standing) quite a bit!  Guitars are tuned standard rather than 3 steps down (like many "modern" tunes).

On 3/2/2018 at 1:36 AM, Geoff said:

Yowser. Interesting view. I think 'What The Hell' and 'Stereo Messiah' are far better albums than their debut. 

I'm not sure what it is, exactly... I was a big supporter of the debut; turned several "old-school" friends of mine onto it (and yes, I have a several friends that are every bit as much stuck in the 80's as me when it comes to music). 

Everything just started trending down for me after the debut.  I know I'm in the minority... and I'm okay with that.  

I've mentioned this before, and my stance has not changed.  I really enjoyed their debut, but it's been downhill for me since.  

Loved the '85 debut.  I'm certainly in on this one.

Starting at 2:38... That's some tasty guitar right there.

The more I think about it, "It's My Life" is the band's last (new) song I've listened to more than once.