Vaeda - The Red Queen

Name: Vaeda
Album: The Red Queen
Year: 2004
Style: Alt-Metal, Hard Rock
Similar Bands: Candlebox, Slaughter, Breaking Benjamin, Animal Bag
"One-Word" Review: Melodic Skuzz Rock
Based Out Of: Brooklyn, NY
Label: self released

Cover, Back Notes, CD Case Back

Lyrics, CD, CD tray

The Red Queen (2004)

1. Thief 3:57
2. Battle Song 3:56
3. Jesus Rides the Subway 3:54
4. Money 3:05
5. Son of the Viper 4:34
6. Kneejerk 2:46
7. Imperial 4:20

Album Rating (1-10): 4.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Ian Lear-Nickum - Vox, Guitar
• Aristotle Dreher - Bass (Bastard Kings of Rock)
• Chris Gignoux - Guitar, Engineer (Granian)
• Oliver Williams - Drums
• Kyle Kelso - Producer, Recording, Mixing, Mastering
• Todd Cameron Westphal - Photos
• Chris Buchakjian - Bat Photo

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. I believe this was another cast off a friend sent me in the mail a long time ago. I honestly don't know what to make if this...it could be anything from hard Americana rock to nu-metal to folksy pop rock or even a emo-prog based band. I'm going to go with the idea that it is somewhere in the middle of all that...general hardish rock, trying to be more complex than it is worth. Not a big fan of the logo for the band name, and seems out of place or alien when compared to the classical album name.

Album Review: From the get go, the band is channeling hair metal, with clear vocals with a calculated lilt. This is timeless in a sense, as it would not be out of place with the Slaughters or Warrants of the late 80's or Animal Bags or Candleboxes of the 90's, leading through the Nu-Metal scene of the aughts. This doesn't mean it is good, at all. The vocal range is impressive, though, with parts in whisper and hitting Muse or Ours melodic heights.

The name comes from India, meaning eternal knowledge. They hold the factoid for being the #1 unsigned Myspace band in the fall of 2005, which was shortly after their move to LA from Brooklyn, but moved back to Long Island later that same year. They have been on a couple big festival tours as well as being in television promos and shows (NCIS, Prison Break, Terminator: SC Chronicles, The Hills, Girls of Hedsor Hall). 

Stand Out Track: Kneejerk 

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Phoids (The) - Marianne Doesn't Know Yet

Name: The Phoids
Album: Marianne Doesn't Know Yet
Year: 1997
Style: Pub Rock, Power Pop
Similar Bands: Smithereens, Track Star, Let's Active, Jayhawks, Uncle Tupelo, Replacements, The Forty Fives
"One-Word" Review: Urban Cowboy Rock Variants.
Based Out Of: NYC, NY
Label: Ng Records, BMG, 

Cover & Back photo

Liner Notes, CD, CD Tray Back

Marianne Doesn't Know Yet (1997)

1. The Great American Farmer 3:01
2. Baby Menthol 2:47
3. I'll Smash Anyone 3:39
4. M 3:25
5. You Know 3:58
6. Godel 4:48
7. Cop Out 4:13
8. Walk Away 2:37 (single)
9. Can't Go Back 4:04
10. Merkle's Boner 2:46
11. No Good 2:56
12. Driveway 3:40
13. Johnny's On Time 1:45
14. I Never liked you Much 6:12

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Greg Bass - Bass, Vox (Erica Wylie, Jason Spiewak)
• Matt Chaiaravalle - Guitar, Vox (Forty Fives, Jill Cunniff, Ernie Halter)
• Jac Calabro - Vox, Guitar
• Michael Chambers - Drums, Percussion (Cantinero), 
• Tammy Lynn - Backing Vox (Battershell, Lenny McDaniel, Sevendust, Total Praise)
• Andy Kingston - Piano, Organ (Alex Dolan)
• Roger Lian - Mastering
• Jeff Gattens - Recording, Mixing
• Tom Doxanas - Art Direction (DOC Designs)
• John H Moore - Cover Photo
• Mick Rock - Liner Photos

Unknown-ness: Never heard of them, but from the photos, they look like they were on the tail end of alt-grunge, just as the tide was turning to a clean cut, smooth rock persona. I'm going to guess they are of their era, and will be similar to New Radicals or Fastball.

Album Review: The Phoids reignite the 80'sAmericana pub rock sound of the 80's with straight forward rock songs that try to keep one toe in a working class country pool. Sometimes they play gruff, driving tracks like the juvenile "Merkle's Boner" that steals a cue out of the Nirvana playbook at the end, as does "I'll Smash Anyone." "Cop Out" is a solid pop song with some shoegazing guitar, and a quick shuffling beat. Overall, this is a immensely palatable album of songs with slight variances on rock extending to the outer tiers of niche genres.

With a total of 3 albums that increased in quality along they way, the NYC based band gained minimal recognition as an opener and CMJ festival performer. But even with an accomplished producer on their 3rd record, they ended up disappearing from the spot light altogether.

Stand Out Track: Cop Out, Merkle's Boner

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Blister Rust - Who's Gonna Scratch Your Itch?!!

Name: Blister Rust
Album: Who's Gonna Scratch Your Itch?!!
Year: 1998
Style: Aggressive Rock
Similar Bands: Ugly Kid Joe, Animal Bag, Janes Addiction, Fungo Mungo, Candlebox, Green Jelly, Twisted Sister
"One-Word" Review: your dirty friend's HS band who took last place at a battle of the bands competition
Based Out Of: NYC
Label: Thundermug Records,

Cover, Liner Notes, Back

Lyrics, CD, Tray Artwork

Who's Gonna Scratch your Itch?!! (1998)

1. V-8 4:05
2. Age 2:38
3. Nail Me Down 3:26
4. Mrs. Christ 3:13
5. Answer to You  5:41
6. Winter 4:34
7. Recycle Me 4:23
8. Storyteller 5:22
9. Cleansing 5:03
10. NBC 3:30

Album Rating (1-10): 3.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Steve French "Colonel Dad"- Producer
• Terry Toajin - Percussive Noise, Backing Vox
• Otto Spumo - Guitar Noodling, Backing Vox
• Rx Rasputin - Vox
• Dug Spoon - Bass Cement, Backing Vox
• Peter Moshay - Mixing, Engineering
• John Hopkins - Engineering
• N.S. "Buck' Brundage - Guitar Amp Consultant / Tech
• Mark Wilder - Mastering
• Andriana Meyer - Cover

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. From the tagged corpse imagery, the font of the logo and the tracks, i'm going to guess this is a border band between Nu Metal and Pop-Punk...I'm thinking like Sum 41or a less accessible Goldfinger. 1998 fits that style guess, too.

Album Review: The record starts out aggressive, angry but not as dense as expected. Sounding like a bad and very off key Ugly Kid Joe. They try the Sam Kinison yelling vocals, but coupled with the verse vocals, it doesn't sound good. Music wise, they use driving short guitar licks, and a few metal guitar solo sections, but overall, it sounds like your dirty friend's band, who's totally gonna make it.

Blister Rust is not just some "cool" sounding word salad. It is a disease originating in Asia that affects plants, specifically White Pines. They band, however, does not have much info on them out there. They had one album before this one, and planned to release a third in 2000, but that never seemed to materialize.

Stand Out Track: Mrs. Christ

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White, Lenny - Presents the Adventures of Astral Pirates

Name: Lenny White
Album: Presents the Adventures of Astral Pirates
Year: 1978
Style: Jazz, Prog, Funk, Soul
Similar Bands: TS Monk, Miles Davis, Return to Forever
"One-Word" Review: Safe Conceptual Funky Jazz
Based Out Of: NYC
Label: Elektra/Asylum, Warner Communications

Cover, Back, Sleeve, Record

Gatefold Story, Sleeve, Record

Presents the Adventures of Astral Pirates (1978)

1. Prelude: Theme for Astral Pirates 1:20
2. Pursuit 2:58
3. Mandarin Warlords 5:06
4. The Great Pyramid 2:30
5. Universal Love 3:30
6. Remembering 0:34
7. Revelation (Astral Pirates) 3:25 /
8. Stew Cabbage and Galactic beans 3:51
9. Heavy Metal Monster 4:39
10. Assault 3:36
11. Climax: Theme for Astral Pirates 7:42

Album Rating (1-10):

Members & Other Bands:

• Lenny White - Producer, Album & Story Concept, Drums, Synth Drums, Eu, Percussion, Re-Mixing, Music Arrangement (Return to Forever, Jackie Mclean, Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Twennynine, Chick Corea, Chaka Khan, Azteca, Cyrus Chestnut, Stanley Clarke, Al Di Meola, Larry Coryell, Victor Bailey, Joe Henderson, Wallace Roney, Buster Williams, Andrew Hill, Woody Shaw, Gato Barbieri, Curtis Fuller, Buddy Terry, Eddie Henderson, Don Cherry, Jaco Pastorius, Brian Auger, Elaine Elias, Manhattan Project, Michael Patrucciani, Bobby Hutcherson, Urbanator, Geri Allen, Ron Carter, Jamey Haddad, Letizia Gambi, Stan Getz, Echoes of an Era, Griffith Park, Jamacia Boys, Gil Evans, Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock, Big Daddy Kane, Hiromi, Marcus Miller, Tom Browne, Renee Rosnes, Fuse One, Meeting Point, Michael Urbaniak, Milky Way, Powerhouse, Essence All Stars, Super Premium Band, Vertu, many )
• Al Kooper - Producer
• Alex Blake - Bass, Music Arrangement (Ahmed Abdullah's Diaspora, Malcolm Braff, Manhattan Blaze, Randy Weston African Rhythms, Ryo Kawasaki, Manhattan Transfer Band, Puppeteers, Sun Ra Arkestra, Greg Bandy, Emanuel K Rahim, Weldon Irvine, Charles Sullivan, Carlos Garnett, Arif Mardin, Billy Cobham, Airto, Don Pullen, Frank Lowe, Brownie McGhee, Sonny Rollins, Yusef Lateef, Last Poets, Kazumi Watanabe, Charles Bobo Shaw, Pharoah Sanders, Linda Williams, Blast, Jaroslav Jakubovic, Cory Daye, Norman Connors, Janis Siegel, Carmen Lundy, Jimmy Buffett, Earl Klugh, Chico Freeman, Brainstorm, Jonathan Butler, Dom Um Romao, Vertical Hold, Oran 'Juice' Jones, Mac Gollehon, Phyllis Hyman, Andrienne Wilson, Stan Getz, Babatunde Lea, Roman Kunsman, Elements of the 7th, Ximo Tebar, Harry Whitaker)
• Donald "Captain Keyboards" Blackman - Organ, Pianos, Oberheim Polyphonic, Synth, Eu, Vox, String & Music Arrangement (Twennynine, Weldon Irvine, Bernard Wright, Roy Ayers, Esperanto, Kenji Hino, Patches Stewart, Livesavas, Lips, Sylvia St James, Hugh Masekela, EPM, Kurtis Blow, Fat Boys, Vikki Love, la La, Missing Links, Gwen Guthrie, TMNT,Mmajee, Hamiet Bluiett, World Sax Quartert, Yoko Oginome, The Men X Perience, Sting, Joey Negro, Mino Cinelu, Waymen Tisdale, Femi Temowo, Brandon Williams)
• Nick Moroch - Lead Guitar, Music Arrangement (Twennynine, Mongo Santamaria, Jeff Conaway, Lips, Poussez, Sylvia St James, Rick James, Michael Franks, Tony Frye, Eddie Jobson, Zinc, Bernard Wright, Marcus Miller, Michael Johnson, Scritti Politti, Kirk Whalum, Temptations, Fury, Melba Moore, Porter Carroll 2, Michael W Smith, David Bowie, Howard Jones, Chaka Khan, Bob James, Vanesse Thomas, Claude Nougaro, Bee Gees, David Sanborn, Terumasa Hino, Sarah Dash, Toshiki Kadomatsu, Michael Colina, Gillian & Glover, Blues Trottoir, John Warren, Patrick Bruel, Arthur Baker & Backbeat Disciples, Kashif, Mira, Jeffrey Osborne,  Jibri Wise One, Nicki Richards, Pete Levin, Voyceboxing, Johnny Hallyday, Gary Brown, Baby Jane Dexter, Roch Voisine, Malta, Jonathan Butler, Tony Terry, Henri Salvador, Donna Summer, Vanessa Williams, Julie Masse, Michael Davis, Bill Evans, Rinken Band, Philippe Saisse, Selena, SMAP, T-Square, Cheryl Lynn, Tony Toni Tone, Marylin Scott, Smappies, Yoshiko Kishino, Mica Paris, Rachel Z, Liane Foly, Still Wicked, Marc Nelson, Marek Niedzwiecki, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Ronn Moss, Terumasa Hino, Point of Grace, 2Ge+her, Kathy Troccoli, David Arnold, Ak, Joe, Jesse Powell, Wayman Tisdale, What For, Dennis Chambers, Roger Glover, Brian McKnight, Kelly Rowland, Gareth Hates, Jessica Simpson, Do Swing, Jason Miles, Nicole C Mullen, Danny Brill, Cliff Dawson, Gene Lake, From the Fire, Alice Soyer, Curtis King, Chris Bender)
• David Gahr - Photos
• Patrick Gleeson - All Synth Programming
• Don Mizell - Album & Story Concept, Narrative Language
• Bob Edwards - Engineer, Re-Mixing
• Skip Shimmin - Recordist
• Seth Dworkin - Recordist
• Dave Rader - Recordist
• Bob Graham - Equipment
• Bernie Grundman - Mastering
• Michael Kaluta - Illustrations & Cover
• Anthony Gleeson - Color
• Tony Lane - Art Direction
• Johnny lee - Design
• Michael Bryant - Narrative Language
• Toby Byron - Mgmt

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of this artist / band. Which makes me very frightened...because this album looks to be heavy on high concept art and is basically a soundtrack to a piece of elaborate fiction. This actually sounds very exciting, and I can't wait to find out if this is prog, like most concept albums were from the 70's, or if it is something else completely, since neither Lenny White nor the band appear to be a bunch of stereotypical nerdy white dudes. But since it is really out there and goes all-in on the creativity, the fact that i've never heard of it makes me thing it's going to be terrible- that it never broke out of the complex, Star Wars inspired starting gate, and was forgotten for good reason.

Album Review: From the start, it is pretty straight forward jazzy prog...a little more in a controlled space than say Brand X, but definitely Jazzy. Once "Universal Love" hits, the first with lyrical vocals, the tone has shifted to funk and soul. 

While being a left handed self taught drummer on a right handed kit, he is considered one of the founders of the Jazz Fusion concept. He played on the uberfamous Bitch's Brew with Miles Davis, is the winner of 4 (of 6 nominations) Grammy awards, and is a professor at NYU Steinhardt. He has also recorded soundtrack music for films, including House Party with Kid n' Play.

Stand Out Track: Universal Love, Stew Cabbage & Galactic Beans

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Weavers, The - On Tour

Name: The Weavers (originally No-Name Quartet)
Album: On Tour
Year: 1957 (1962)
Style: Folk, Vocals
Similar Bands: Bachelors, Kingston Trio, A Mighty Wind, Seekers, Rooftop Singers
"One-Word" Review: Banjangaly Harmonies
Based Out Of: NYC, NY
Label: Vanguard

Cover, Record

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On Tour (1957)

1. Tzena, Tzena, Tzena 2:24
2. On Top Of Old Smoky 2:24
3. Drill Ye Tarriers, Drill 2:14
4. Fi-li-mi-oo-re-ey 2:28
5. Over the Hill 1:01
6. Clementine 2:51
7. The Frozen Logger 2:16 (James Stevens Cover)
8. The Boll Weevil 2:29
9. Talking Blues 2:27
10. I Don't Want to Get Adjusted 1:31
11. So Long 2:32 (Woody Guthrie Cover) /
12. Michael Row the Boat Ashore 3:31
13. Wreck of the "John B" 2:25
14. Two Brothers 2:27
15. Ragaputi 2:13
16. Wasn't That a Time 2:05
17. Go Tell it on the Mountain 2:37
18. Poor Little Jesus 1:43
19. Mi Y'Malel 1:54
20. Santa Clause is Coming, It's Almost Day 1:22
21. We Wish You A Merry Christmas 2:31

Album Rating (1-10):

Members & Other Bands:

• Pete Seeger - Vox, Banjo (Almanac Singers, Paul Campbell, The Union Boys, Work O' the Weavers, Woody Guthrie, Memphis Slim, Willie Dixon, John Benson Brooks Trio, Don McLean, Steve goodman, Guy Davis, Joan Baez, Sonny Terry  many )
• Ronnie Gilbert - Vox (Paul Campbell, Holly Near, Peter Paul & Mary, Woody Guthrie)
• Lee Hays - Vox (Almanac Singers, The Baby Sitters, Paul Campbell, Woody Guthrie)
• Fred Hellerman - Guitar, Vox (Paul Campbell, Peter Paul & Mary, Ruth Rubin, Larry Kent, Leon Bibb, Paul Clayton, Marylin Child, Sandy Paton, Joan Baez, Odetta, Theodore Bikel, Judy Collins, Oscar Brand, Chad Mitchell, Sunny Schwartz, Guy Davis, Cobble Mountain Band, Stan Scott, Sam Scheer, Belafonte)
• Harold Leventhal - Producer

Unknown-ness: I don't believe I've heard of the Weavers. Maybe, as they have been around a long time, and Pete Seeger is a familiar name. But I imagine this to be imagine this will be olde-timey vocal harmonizing songs, where instrumentation is but a non-showcased afterthought or simply to keep rhythm & melody. With a setlist of 21 songs, all performed live, and a bunch of familiar traditional titles, I imagine this will get a little samey, too.

Album Review: This was recorded for their Xmas concert at Carnegie Hall, so applause bookends the tracks. Hootenany would be an accurate portrait of their banjangley folk harmonies. Their musical choices are international and quite varied with the record split into 4 sections: Classic Songs, Tall Tales, History/Geography, and Peace & Good Will. Often, one member will recite the upcoming lyric before it is sung in order to encourage audience sing-a-long.

The highly influential folk band (pre-dating Kingston Trio, Peter, Paul & Mary, Bob Dylan; all were influenced by the Weavers) started as a political group, with Seeger and Hays together as Alamac singers, protesting WW2. In 1941,with Germany moving into Russia, the US sentiment changes to pro-war propaganda, and the band became a pitched entering the war until the US finally joined the Allies. The band officially organized in 1948, thanks to a music circle Seeger organized in his basement called People's Songs. As the Red Scare / McCarthy era began, Seeger & Hays were questioned as US Communists, both refusing to testify in their own defense, putting them under FBI surveillance, denying them television / radio performances, leading to the loss of their Decca record contract and demise as a band in 1953. They got back together and played Carnegie Hall in 1955, had success with the recording, and set up a tour through 63, with occasional reunions. Seeger left the band in 1958 over plans to record a tobacco commercial, which he was against due to their danger & feeling of selling out. Their first tv appearance since 1951 performed on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 67. They would have appeared on the Jack Paar show, but refused to sign a loyalty oath to the US against communism.  Hays passed in 1981, Seeger died in 2014, Gilbert passed in 2015, and Hellerman died in 2016.

Stand Out Track: Wreck of the "John B"

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Utopia - s/t

Name: Utopia
Album: s/t
Year: 1982
Style: Power Pop
Similar Bands: Bad Finger, Foreigner, XTC, Squeeze, 10cc, Supertramp, ELO, Jellyfish, Be Bop Delux
"One-Word" Review: Buoyant Harmonic Hook Pop
Based Out Of: NYC, NY, Upper Darby, PA
Label: Elektra, Asylum, Warner, Network

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Utopia (1982)

1. Libertine 2:47
2. Bad Little Actress 2:50
3. Feet Don't Fail Me Now 3:06 (single)
4. Neck On Up 2:53
5. Say Yeah 3:04 / 
6. Call it What You Will 3:48
7. I'm Looking At You, But I'm Talking to Myself 3:38
8. Hammer in my Heart 4:10
9. Burn Three Times 3:15
10. There Goes My Inspiration 3:24 /
11. Princess of the Universe 3:29
12. Infrared and Ultraviolet 2:17
13. Forgotten But Not Gone 2:31
14. Private Heaven 3:12
15. Chapter and Verse 3:40

Album Rating (1-10): 9.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Todd Rundgren - Guitar, Vox, Producer, Engineer (Jean-Yves Labat, Luther Vandross, The New Cars, Doug Legacy & the legends of the West, Money, Nazz, Ringo Starr & His All Star Band, Woody's Truck Stop, James Cotton Blues Band, Runt, Mark Moogy Klingman, Hall & Oates, Bette Midler, Meat Loaf, Rick Derringer, Ian Hunter, Jim Steinman, Robby Krieger, Bonnie Tyler, Dragon, Hunter, Allen Ginsberg, Pandora's Box, The Residents, Celine Dion, Alice Cooper, Bad Religion, Stephen Bishop, Ken Emerson, XTC, NIN, Brent Bourgeois, Donald Fagen, Lemon Twigs, Johnny Winter, New York Dolls, Hello People, Ultra Violet, Grand Funk more)
• Roger Powell - Keys, Vox (David Bowie, Robert Moog, Steve Hillage, Meat Loaf, Born Bluesers, Shaun Cassidy, Ian Hunter, Alice Cooper, Felix Cavaliere, Charlie Rouse Band, Rick Derringer, Randy Vanwarmer, Jim Steinman, Kasim Sulton, Logic System, Barry Manilow, Rubinoos, Sons of Heroes, Joy Ride, Bob James, Todd Rundgren, Lyle Workman, Shelagh McDonald) 
• Kasim Sulton - Bass, Vox (Meat Loaf, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Scandal, Hall & Oates, Blue Oyster Cult, The New Cars, Cheap Trick, Yellow Matter Custard, Rick Derringer, Tom Robinson Band, Zoot Money, Jim Steinman, Price, Patty Smyth, David Drew, Johnny Hates Jazz, Celine Dion, Alice Cooper, Bif Naked, Ken Sharp, Steve Hillage, Shaun Cassidy, Frankie Eldorado, Rubinoos, Ronnie Spector, more )
• Willie Wilcox - Drums, Vox (Hall & Oates, Stacey Q, Shaun Cassidy, Brian Briggs, David Lasley, Rubinoos, Gregory Hines, James young, Judson Spence, Bijan, Rory Block, Bardeux, Transvision Vamp)
• Doug Howard - Writer
• Chris Andersen - Engineer
• The Creative Directors, INC - Design, Production
• Len Zabala - Art Director
• John Wagman - Art Director
• Bill Hayward - Photos
• Yonah Schurink - Stylist
• Eric Gardner - Mgmt

Unknown-ness: So I had never heard of the band when I bought the record, nor did i look at the back to see famous Todd Rundgren or Keyboardist Roger Powell (whom I have reviewed a solid solo album of prior). So I'm almost positive this will be catchy powerpop.

Album Review: Harmonies, Powell's swirling 80's synth and power pop chords play throughout the full album. It is jovial, bouncy hook-filled sugary sweet pop. Knowing Rundgren produced XTC's Skylarking, you can really hear his style on "Bad Little Actress." "There Goes My Inspiration" sounds like Be Bop Deluxe.

The band was started by Rundgren as an outlet to explore synth and prog music, but the band paralleled his own solo endeavors as it evolved from Prog Rock to straightforward ELO+Big Star power pop. They only lasted 4 more years after this (and had been together 10 years before). The spiral downward seemed to happen by no fault of their own, a matter of two labels folding (Network, then Passport). A few revivals happened in 1992, 2011 & 2018. 

Stand Out Track: Princess of the Universe, Libertine

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Touch - s/t

Name: Torch
Album: s/t
Year: 1980
Style: Hair Rock, Power Pop
Similar Bands: Journey, Supertramp, Def Leppard, Styx, Prism, Loverboy
"One-Word" Review: Sweaty, Generic Love-Sick Rock
Based Out Of: NYC
Label: Atco, Atlantic, Warner Communications Company

Cover, Record

Back, Record

Torch (1980)

1. Don't You Know What Love Is? 3:50 (single #69)
2. When the Spirit Moves You 3:56 (single)
3. Love Don't Fail Me 4:24
4. Black Star 3:32
5. There's A Light 3:56 (single b-side) /
6. So High 5:18
7. Last Chance for Love 3:51
8. Yes (You Need to Rock 'n Roll) 4:22
9. Listen (Can You Feel It) 5:02

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Craig Brooks - Guitar, Vox (American Tears, Michael Bolton, Roger Glover, Malisham White Vision, Bitter Suite)
• Mark Mangold - Keys, Vox, Arrangement, Words & Music, Co-Producer, Mixing (American Tears, Michael Bolton, Drive She Said, The Sign, Mystic Healer, Jon Bivona, The Radiant, Flesh & Blood, Valhalla, Chantal, Houston, 91 Suite, Magic Freak Society, Ellen, Seven, Benny Mardones)
• Doug Howard, Bass, Vox (Utopia, Todd Rundgren, Edgar Winter, Stun Leer, Roy Buchanan )
• Glenn Kithcart - Drums, Percussion (American Tears)
• Tim Friese-Green - Engineer, Producer
• Scott Litt - Assoc. Engineer
• Clayton Hutchinson - Assoc. Engineer
• Tom Heid - Assistant
• Garry Rindfuss - Assistant
• Greg Calbi - Mastering
• Robert Lewis - Cover Photo
• Jim Houghton - Back Photo
• Lynn Dreese Breslin - Album Design
• Bruce Payne - Direction (Deep Purple)
• OM Productions - Hand

Unknown-ness: Never heard of such a generic, emotionless named band called Touch. But i love the stereotypical cover of mystery, sexy, future, and angular shapes. What game are they playing? Who's the sexy girl? Who / what is she playing (robot)?  Why are they floating in space on an angle? None of these answers and more are sure to lie in the songs contained on the record. From the leftover 70's looks of the band on the back, I'm going to guess they are a general power pop band. 

Album Review: And Power Pop band they are. Their long hair heavier version of the power pop genre puts them in line with Def Leppard more than the sunny, digestible bands. They mask the hooks and harmonies under some heavy guitars- but not all the time...they do use synth lines, sometimes verging on Prog. but tending to keep one foot in hair rock at all time. The opening song is a study in mansplaining, as the song can't believe the girl in question doesn't know what love is...but they are prepared to explain & show her love. Comes off creepy, which is par for a lot of the imagery in this genre. And "Black Star" is a driving rocker with some Nick Gilder-like harmonized chorus.

Three of the four members here had released 3 albums together for Columbia Records as American Tears. This was their only album as Touch, and a second recorded album never saw light of day. However, as of Oct 2020, the full Torch lineup is back in action, recording new songs together.

Stand Out Track: When the Spirit Moves You

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Thrills - First Thrills

Name: Thrills
Album: First Thrills
Year: 1981
Style: Power Pop, Pub Rock
Similar Bands: Shoes, Hawks, Flyer, Producers, The Who, Styx, REO Speedwagon
"One-Word" Review: Smooth Harmonized AOR Hook Rock
Based Out Of: Long Island, Pittsburgh (Penn Hills)
Label: G&P (Good Product & Great People) Records

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First Thrills (1981)

1. Breaking My Heart 3:13 (single)
2. Changing My Ways 3:04
3. Blinded By Love 3:33
4. Good Friends 3:32
5. Won't Be a Fool 3:15 /
6. Lie For Your Love 3:42
7. Dream Away 3:28 (single b-side)
8. Not Gonna Run 3:00 (single)
9. Carrie 3:10
10. Going Out 3:49

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Tony Monaco - Keys, Synth, Vox (Stormfront, Turnstiles, Menagerie, Bad Company (not the famous one), The Treez)
• Dave Fullerton - Guitar Vox (Turnstiles, Menagerie, Bad Company (not the famous one))
• Rob Owens - Drums, Vox (Bad Company (not the famous one))
• Bill Gilbert - Bass, Vox (Stonehenge)
• Mike Frenchik - Producer, Mixing, Mgmt
• Tom Ingegno - Producer, Mixing, Mgmt
• Don Casale - Mixing, Engineer, Recording
• Doug Parry - Engineer
• Tom Coyne - Mastering
• Nicholas Cosmas - Art Direction
• George Hornfeck - Art Direction
• Marianne M Sachs - Cover Illustration

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. The cover makes a case for youthful, raw instinct and discovery, tied to that "thrill" of seeing something you're not supposed to see as a child. Draw your own conclusions, but there is a nod toward sexual discovery. So what's behind the fence in the drawing? Probably a mediocre band playing some mix of powerpop or pub rock. Odd thing is that the cover says 1980, but the record is dated 1981.

Album Review: The album is full of harmonies, keys and swinging synth for some straightforward power pop. The lyrics are also typically focused on love and women, particularly Carrie, which takes the number off the wall, and extrapolates what it would be like to be with a girl met from a bathroom wall call. It is full of catchy feel good hooks and bouncy upbeat melodies. A solid album of the genre.

originally from the Pittsburgh area, they relocated to Long Island in 1977, and became one of the top bar/party bands of the area, recording songs over the next couple years, compiled on this their first record. Like so many bands of the era, their second album was not as hot as the first and by the time they recorded a 3rd record, the label was gone, and so was their career...until 2000, when the band reformed and released Thrills 3, 17 years after recording. Frontman Monaco also currently (2020) leads a Billy Joel cover act called Turnstiles based in Florida. Bassist Gilbert passed away in 2004.

Stand Out Track: Carrie

Links:
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Turnstiles - Monaco's Billy Joel Cover Band
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Old Mon Music

Ten Wheel Drive with Genya Ravan - Peculiar Friends

Name: Ten Wheel Drive with Genya Ravan
Album: Peculiar Friends
Year: 1971
Style: Classic Rock, Psychedelic Funk, Jazz Fusion
Similar Bands: Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin, Cold Blood, Blood Sweat & Tears, Lighthouse
"One-Word" Review: Gritty Psych Show Tunes
Based Out Of: New Jersey / NYC
Label: Polydor

Cover, Back, Sleeve, Record

Inner Gatefold, Sleeve, Record

Peculiar Friends (1971)

1. Peculiar Friends 0:19
2. The Night I Got Out of Jail 3:44
3. Shootin' the Breeze 3:19
4. The Pickpocket 3:48
5. No Next Time 4:34 (single) /
6. Love Me 5:05
7. Fourteenth Street (I Can't Gat Together) 5:49
8. I Had Him Down 3:52
9. Down in the Cold 6:09 (single)

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Aram Schefrin - Writer, Arrangement, Producer, Guitar (Fisher Fidelity Standard Rock Band, DC LaRue, Cris Williamson, LaBelle, Lou Reed)
  
• Michael Zager - Writer, Arrangement, Producer, Keys (Love Childs Afro Cuban Blues Band, Moon Band, M-Zee Band, Fisher Fidelity Standard Rock Band, DC LaRue, Cris Williamson, LaBelle, Take Five, Whitney Houston, Cissy Houston, Mary lou Retton, Elusion, Spinners, Johnny Guitar Watson, DJ Valium, Genya Ravan, Street Corner Symphony, Cryer & Ford, Saint & Stephanie, Dee Edwards, Alvin Fields, more )
• Geyna Ravan - Writer, Arrangement, Vox, Harp (Goldie & the Gingerbreads, Denny Greene, Lou Reed, Blue Oyster Cult, Ronnie Spector, Gamma, Joy Rider. Flowerpot Men, Joey Ramone, Doughboys, Palmyra Delran, Fanny Walked the Earth, Michael Des Barres, Shady Lady, Kracker, Goldie Zelkowitz, Jay-Z)
• Blake Hines - Bass
• David Williams - Drums
• Alan Gauvin - Reeds  (Woody Herman, Bill Wartrous, Pratt Bros Big Band, Killer Force, Thundering Herd, Buddy Rich, Twiggs, Rich Shemaria)
• Dean Pratt - Trumpet (NY Neophonic Orch, Panama Friends & Savoy Sultans, Pratt Bros Big Band, Clifford Jordan, Killer Force, DMP Big Band, NTXSU Lab Band, Joel Kaye, Chris Robison, Buddy Rich, Bill Warfield, Leon Redbone, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton)
• Tom Malone - Trombone (3:00 Lab Band, Black Light Orch, Blood Sweat & Tears, Child is Father to the Man, Dude Skile's Hot Combustion, Gil Evans, Orquesta Palenque, Blues Brothers Band, Brass Attack Horns, CBS Orch, Mon Night Orch, NTXSU Lab Band, RCO All-Stars, SNL Band, Ultimate Onions, World's Most Dangerous Band, Woody Herman, Mylon, OT Zappo, more) 
• Danny Stiles - Trumpet (Sal Salvador, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Bill Watrous, Woody Herman, Herman & Puente, Maxwell Davis, Chris Connor, Bill Russo, Peggy Lee, Incredible Jimmy Smith, Oscsar Peterson Trip, Manny Albam, JJ Johnson, Pat Williams, T-Bone Walker, Singers Unlimited, Jake Hanna, Bette Midler, Nat Pierce, James Brown, Gerry Mulligan)
• Frank Frint - Trumpet
• Jay Messina - Engineer
• David L'Heureux - Cover Art, Album Design
• Triano-Gatefold Art
• Lou Podover - Photos
• Chuck Pulin -Photos

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but I always enjoy a nice gatefold album I've never heard: that usually means more care has gone into the album & packaging. I do like the Alice in Wonderland-like artwork, calling them peculiar friends, which is also the album and lead track name. Never heard of the name dropped singer, Genya Ravan, but from the design, I imagine this is pretty straight forward classic rock, maybe with a touch of Psych from the Alice/Mr. Toad's Wild Ride-inspired sketches.

Album Review: The album is definitely a classic rock with powerful female vocals, thinking Joplin/Slick with all the variants present within the classic rock realm: psych, garage, funk, rock, gospel, and even some slow ballads. Even through The Night I Got Out of Jail is a driving, fun rocker, overall this is not for me, but it sounds typical of the sound & period.
The band had already found considerable success and acclaim by this, the third album, and Rayan was ready to leave the band. They had played some big festivals and high profile venues like Fillmore East (where Rayan performed part of the show topless with body paint) and Carnegie Hall. The band survived 6 years total, a lead singer and record label changes, but it was a big starting block for Michael Zager's disco career. The band was also inspirational in the face of a male dominated field for Bette Midler & her writing of The Rose.

Stand Out Track: The Night I Got Out of Jail

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Crazy Joe and the Variable Speed Band - Eugene

Name: Crazy Joe and the Variable Speed Band
Album: Eugene
Year: 1981
Style: Humor, Disco, Novelty
Similar Bands: Ween (in a bad way), Was (Not Was), MECO, Ray Stevens, Rick Dees
"One-Word" Review: problematic novelty island disco rock
Based Out Of: NYC
Label: Polygram, Casablanca Records & Filmworks

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Eugene (1981)

1. Eugene 4:11 (single)
2. Buzz Me 2:47
3. Gay Ranchero 4:10
4. You 3:23
5. Ugga Ugga Boo 4:25/
6. Little Puffies 4:21
7. Ice Cream 2:58 (single)
8. Stranded in the Jungle 3:26
9. Madam Palm 3:11
10. Blow Up 1:40

Album Rating (1-10): 4.0

Members & Other Bands:

• "Crazy Joe" Renda - Vox, Keys, Producer (Country Cousins, Sherwoods, Alex Parche, Chip Taylor, Stoney Edwards, Bum Bar Bastards)
• Kat McCord - Vox (Fabulour Rhinestones, David Sanborn Band, Guy & Pipp Gillette)
• John Regan - Bass, Musical Arrangement (Frehly's Comet, Ace Frehly, Peter Frampton, Chip Taylor, Wendy Waldman, Lisa bade, Diane Richards, Bowie & Jagger, Rolling Stones, Billy Idol, John Waite, Bonnie Tyler, Michael Monroe, Robin Trower, David Lee Roth, Brad Absher, John Phillips, Rob Arthur, Four by Fate, High Priest, Henning Hallqvist)
• Ed Monteleone - Guitars, Musical Arrangement (Peter Frampton)
• Claude Lehenaff - Drums, Percussion (Frankie & The Knockouts)
• Rob Sabino - Organ, Piano, Synth (Frehly's Comet, Joined Forces, Simms Bros Band, Nile Rodgers, Ace Frehly, Robert Cotter, Ashford & Simpson, Chic, Norma Jean, Sister Sledge, Peter Frampton, Debbie Harry, Odyssey, Blotto, Fonzi Thornton, Michael Gregory, Bernard Edwards, Paul Simon, Bowie, Diane Richards, Madonna, Bryan Adams, Richie Scarlet, Cartoons, Rosanne Cash, Power Station, EG Daily, Mick Jagger, Jeff Beck, Rodney Crowell, Matthew Sweet, Laurie Anderson, Michael Monroe, Terri Gonzalez, Larry Neil, Art Garfunkel, Mick Jones, Todd Rundgren, Carly Simon, Johnny Mathis)
• Diane Scanlon - Backing Vox (Univ of Bridgeport Jazz Rock Ensemble, Felix Cavaliere, Guy & Pipp Gillette, Siji)
• Ace Frehley - Syndrum, Co-Producer (Frehly's Comet, Kiss, For Love Not Lisa, Gene Simmons, Wendy O Williams, Criss, ESP, Still Wicked, Richie Scarlet, Kathy Valentine, Jam Pain Society, Ken Sharp)
• John Platania - Guitar Effects (Prof. Louie & the Crowmatrix, Caledonia Soul Orch, Giants, Chip Taylor, John Prine, Van Morrison, Gary Kuper, Don Cooper, Genya Ravan, Sam Leopold, Randy Newman, Stony Edwards, Gary Windo, Martha Velez, Dean Batstone, Gathering Field, Children of Earth, Greg Kroll, Guy Davis, MJ Nelson, Kendel Carson, Billy Vera, Evie Sands)
• Chris Cassone - Backing Vox, Talk Box, Engineer 
• Mike Hunt - Sax (Billy Blacktooth)
• Gary Axelbank - Radio Announcer
• Dennis Kaplan - Mgmt
• John Nagy - Mixing
• Greg Calbi - Mastering
• Richard Wexler - Photo
• Stephanie Zuras - Design
• Bob Heimall - Art Direction

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. Looks like a basic power pop or pub rock band who likes to have a good time (see: guy tugging pizza out of a dog's mouth with his mouth)

Album Review: This entire album is absolutely horrible. Musically, it is OK, mostly leans toward disco,  and when the female vocals are isolated, it can be enjoyable. But each song employs comical vocals or effects, some of which are not very PC sounding, and most of the time, not very musical...take the immigrant, for whom, English is not his first language on "Eugene," or the alien rock band obsessed with underaged girls on "Little Puffies," or the homosexual vocal inflection in "Gay Ranchero." Even on the best track "Ice Cream," which starts out like a nice female r&b pop number with some fun synth energy. It is hampered by the sedated, monotone male speaking voice placed jarringly over some verse and backing the lead chorus. This vocal is the main vocal across the whole record, most of the time seeming more like a failed sketch comedy skit than a musical endeavor. 

The only pop appeal is that Ace Frehley had a hand in this band & it's "popularity." This is his first official work non related to Kiss. He co-produced and is featured on the single "Eugene." Other than that, Joe Renda made a name for himself as a producer more than a performer.

Stand Out Track: Ice Cream

Links:
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System (the) - The Pleasure Seekers

Name: The System
Album: The Pleasure Seekers
Year: 1985
Style: Synth, R&B, 
Similar Bands: Stevie B, Color Me Badd, Nu Shooz, Scritti Politti, Generationals, Billy Ocean
"One-Word" Review:80's synth pop club floor scene
Based Out Of: NYC
Label: Mirage, Atlantic, Warner

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Sleeve, Record

The Pleasure Seekers (1985)

1. The Pleasure Seekers 4:39 (single)
2. It Takes 2 4:12
3. Big City Beat 3:25
4. Love Won't Wait For Lovin' 4:47 /
5. This is For You 4:57 (single)
6. My Radio Rocks 3:43
7. Did In By A Friend 3:11
8. I Don't Run From Danger 4:45

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Mic Murphy - Vox, Produced, Wrote, Arranged (Kleeer, Flowchart, Sass, Howard Johnson, Lenny White, Chaka Khan, Howard Jones, Nona Hendryx, Natural Selection, Tom Jones, Mtume, more)
• David Frank - Keys, Produced, Wrote, Arranged (Kleeer, Orch on the Half Shell, Linear, Carole Davis, Rick James, Mtume, Robert Palmer, Scritti Politti, Chaka Khan, Phil Collins, Steve Winwood, Billy Squire, Billy Idol, Nona Hendryx, Aztec Camera, Ashford & Simpson, Phoebe Snow, Natalie Cole, Sheena Easton, Vanessa Williams, Marc Anthony, Eric Clapton, Michael McDonald, Katy Sagal, Dionne Farris, Notorious BIG, 98 degrees, Destiny's Child, Christina Aguilera, Vitamin C, O-Town, Victoria Beckham, S Club, Pussycat Dolls, Jordin Sparks, Brie Larson more)
• Paul Pesco - Guitar (Madonna, Hall & Oates, John Blackwell Project, Dave Weckl, C+C Music Factory, Joan Baez, Chaka Khan, Norma Jean, Michael Bolton, Force MDs, Eddie Murphy, Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, George Benson, Pointer Sisters, Sheena Easton, Jellybean, Whitney Houston, Steve Winwood, Fat Boys, Gregory Hines, Stephanie Mills, Don Johnson, Cyndi Lauper  more
• Audrey Wheeler - Vox (Unlimited Touch, Blue Moderne, Jellybean, Robin Gibb, Kurtis Blow, Fat Boys, Debbie Harry, Jermaie Stewart, Boogie Boys, Little Steven, Blow Monkeys, Melba Moore, Billy Ocean, Millie Jackson, Donny Osmond, George Benson, Eddie Murphy more)
• Denise Chaplin - Vox
• Jimmy Maelen - Percussion (Roxy Music, Peter Gabriel, James Taylor, Alice Cooper, John Lennon, The Jacksons, Talking Heads, Ambergris, Shobizz, Hollywood Vampires, Latin Dimension, BJ Thomas, more)
• Tom Lord-Alge - Engineer, Mixing
• Chris Lord-Alge - Mixing
• Acar Key - Assistant
• Dennis King - Mastering
• Bob Defrin - Art Direction
• Steve Fraser - Mic's hair
• Roy Volkmann - Photos

Unknown-ness: I have heard of this band; only saw their name on a sleeveless 45, but never heard anything by them. From the cover, it looks like it will have a Fun Boy Three vibe, so even though it is 85- which is apparent by the clothes, I'm going to guess it is on the tail end of new wave, but dancey.

Album Review: The album has a computer-generated 80's radio friendly r&b dance sound...everything sounds synthetic, and the beats have lots of 80's Casio effects processed in. The style has been adopted by some of the current Caribbean-yacht rock synth bands of today, but it also sounds like late 80's Stevie B Miami dance music.

This was basically a duo, hiring session musicians to fill in the rest, but were at the forefront of using synth as the spotlight sound. They gained notoriety for having their music in film & TV, on Miami Vice, Coming to America, Beverly Hills Cop, and they were in Real Genius. They worked with Scritti Politti, Phil Collins and Chaka Khan and their songs were used by musicians like Tupac Shakur and the Notorious BIG. They went back & forth being together and splitting apart as a duo, and have their own recording studio.


Stand Out Track: The Pleasure Seekers

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Phantom, Rocker & Slick - s/t

Name: Phantom, Rocker & Slick
Album: s/t
Year: 1985
Style: Rockabilly, Arena Rock, Pub Rock
Similar Bands: Love & Rockets, Primal Scream, INXS, Wolfgang Press, Cramps, Blasters, Gin Blossoms
"One-Word" Review: Dirty Grimy Small-Time Arena Rock.
Based Out Of: NYC
Label: EMI, Capitol

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Lyrics, Record

Phantom, Rocker & Slick (1985)

1. What You Want 4:28 (single)
2. My Mistake 3:20 (single)
3. Hollywood Distractions 4:18
4. No Regrets 4:01
5. Well Kept Secret 4:17 /
6. Men Without Shame 6:20 (single)
7. Runnin' From the Hounds 3:50
8. Time Is On My Hands 3:27
9. Sing For Your Supper 4:10
10. Lonely Actions 3:37

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Steve Thompson - Producer
• Michael Barbiero - Producer, Engineer
• Peter Doell - Asst Engineer
• Alex Haas - Asst Engineer
• Bob Ludwig - Mastering
• Slim Jim Phantom (James McDonnell) - Drums, Vox (Stray Cats, Drain Bramaged, Dead Men Walking, The Head Cat, 13cats, Bill Wyman, Carl Perkins, Steve Salas, Peter Golding, Brian Setzer, Conny, Gilby Clarke, Ramones, Levi Dexter, Micke Finell, Katmen, Glen Matlock, Swing Cats)
• Lee Rocker - Vox, Bass (Stray Cats, Los Rebeldes, Mystery Train, Michael Ubaldini, Carl Perkins, Dave Edmunds, Scotty Moore, DJ Fontana, Ringo Starr, Swing Cats, Wanda Jackson, Micke Finell, Rich Shapiro)
• Earl Slick - Guitars, Vox (David Bowie, John Lennon, Silver Condor, Dirty White Boy, Little Caesar, New York Dolls, Yardbirds, Sleepy People, Tracks, Leo Sayer, Ian Hunter, Tonio K, Carmen Maki, Danny Spanos, Peter Mclan, Yoko Ono, Tim Curry, Graham Brazier, Jimmy Destri, Lisa Bade, Billy Thorpe, John Waite, Strange Advance, Belouis Some, Jim Diamond, Randy Bishop, Bill Bergman, Jacques Dutronc, James Freud, Junkyard, Joe Cocker, Henry Lee Summer, Tomohisa Kawazoe, Doro, David Coverdale, Joey McIntyre, Box of Frogs, Mick Jagger, Chris Catena, Janice Grace, Billie Rainbird, Anik Jean, Sarah Fimm, Dean Batstone, Game Theory, Jerry Gaskill, Lisa Ronson, Glen Matlock, Whitesnake, Rooftop Screamers, Carmine Appice)
• Keith Richards - Guitar (Rolling Stones, Blues Incorporated, X-Pensive Winos, Little Boy Blue & Blue Boys, Nanker Phelge, Dirty Mac, First Barbarians, Glimmer Twins, lots of credits )
• Nicky Hopkins - Piano (Rolling Stones, Kinks, The Who, Cliff Bennett & Rebel Rousers, Climax Blues Band, Cyril Davies, Jeff Beck, Lord Sutch & Heavy Friends, Neil Christian & Crusaders, Night, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Soul Survivor, Sweet Thursday, Terry & the Pirates, Immediate All-Stars, Jerry Garcia Band, The Sessions credits)
• Carlos Alomar - Vox (Bowie, Listen My Brother, The Band, Harlem Experiment, Iggy Pop, Patti Labelle, Yoko Ono, John Lennon, Simple Minds, Belouis Some, Soda Stereo, Cousin Ice, hen-Gee & Evil E, Raphael, Kenny Barron, ben E King, Luther, Jimmy Owens, Imperials, Jimmi Destri, Innocence in Danger, Ayuo Takahashi, Debbie Harry, Arcadia, Robin Clark, Pretenders, Yukihior Takahashi, Paul King, Julia Fordham, Fabio Concato, Julien Cierc, Debbie Gibson, Jellybean, Yukiko Ito, Cyndi Lauper, Bee Gees, FUN, Kurtis Mantronik, Tin Machine, Prefab Sprout, David Morales, Raphael, Scissor Sisters, Scott Chasolen, Alicia Keys, Brandon Flowers, Mark Ronson, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Carly Simon, Jennifer Rush)
• Diva Gray - Vox (Change, Chic, Lemon, Harlettes, Roy Buchanan, Love Symphony Orch, Teresa Wiater, T.Life, David Spinozza, Major Harris, Phyllis Hyman, Joe Thomas, Meco, James Montgomery, Ray Barretto, Atlantic Family, Jimmy Ponder, Garland Jeffreys, Sambu Soul, Gregg Diamond, Norma Jean, Richard T. Bear, Kiss, Ramona brooks, Duke Jupiter, Euclid Beach Band, Felix Cavaliere, Samantha Sand, Kikio, Roundtree, NYC band, Spyro Gyrsa, B.Baker Chocolate Co, Gotham, Markena Shaw, Toru Oki Blues Band, Herbie Mann, Paul Evans, Bette Midler, Wilbert Longmire, Sister Sledge, John Tropea, Ray Gomez, Cousin Ice, Rhetta Hughes, Wilbert Longmire, George Benson, Marshall Tucker Band, Steely Dan, Leon Bryant, David Sanborn, Silence, High Fashion, Roberta Flack, Weather Girls, Junior, Marcus Miller, Damaris, Peabo Bryson, Talking Heads, Paul Habara, Brian Setzer, David Bowie, Steps Ahead, Ann Anello, Ronnie Spector, Cindy Valentine, Toshiki Kadomatsu, Scritti Politti, Myleka, Jorn Hoel, Linda Eder, Andreas Vollenweider, Charlie Sexton, Grace Jones, Natasha's Brother, Julien Clerc, Maggie's Dream, Hen-Gee & Evil-E, Debbie Gibson, Judy Collins, Marc Cohn, Tony Verderosa, Dr, John, John Tropea, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Spin Doctors, BB King, Patricia Kiss, Luther Vandross, Celine Dion, Horii Katsumi, Elton John, Jewel, Natalie Cole, Herbie Mann, Janis Siegel, Marilyn, R,. Kelly, Elaine Elias, Kiss, Joe Lynn Turner, Surtek Collective, Jennifer Rush)
• Robin Clark - Vox (Chic, Don Cooper, Danny Cox, Robin Kenyatta, Esther Phillips, Gary Glitter, Linda Lewis, David Bowie, Roger Moon, Peabo Bryson, Roy Buchanan, Brecker Bros band, Average White Band, Ringo Starr, Atlantic Family, Bette Midler, Tommy James, Leon Bryant, Firefly, Melba Moore, Change, Garland Jeffreys, Silence, High Fashion, Irene Cara, France Joli, Fonzi Thornton, Weather Girls, Luther Vandross, Melissa Manchester, George Benson, Innocence in Danger, Teddy Pendergrass, Marcus Miller, Belouis Some, Simple Minds, Masayoshi Takanaka, Ben E King, Aztec Camera, Julia Fordham, Sheena Easton, Charlie Sexton, Linda Eder, D'Atra Kicks, Lou Gramm, James Freud, Michael Bolton, India, Debbie Gibson, Hen-Gee & Evil E, Jellybean, Toshinobu Kubota, Grayson Hugh, Billy Squire, Jon Lucien, Al Green, Foreigner, David Lee Roth, Repercussions, Spin Doctors, Blues Traveler, BeBe Winans, Veronica, Earl Slick, New Rising Sons, Natalie Cole, Kathy Troccoli, Full Moon, Laura Nyro, David Morales, Scissor Sisters, Frankie Valli, Leona Lewis, Jennifer Rush)
• Dave LeBolt - Strings (Spy, Billy Joel, David Bowie, Itamar, Richie Havens, Steve Hackett, Citi, Bonnie Tyler, Martin Briley, Julian Lennon, Foreigner, Stevie Nicks, Aldo Nova, Carly Simon, Belouis Some, Power Station, Aretha Franklin, Cutting Crew, Chris Spedding, Alphaville, Chaka Khan, Karen Kamon, David Van Tieghem, Eddie Rabbit, Sheena Easton, D'Atra Hicks, Laurie Anderson, Tom Kimmel, Beggars &Thieves, Dionne Warwick, Donny Osmond, Roberta Flack, Sinead O'Connor, Peter Noone, Expose, Turtle Island String, Paul McCartney, Braids, Steve Hackett, Jennifer Rush)
• Jim Maelen - Percussion Roxy Music, Peter Gabriel, James Taylor, Alice Cooper, John Lennon, The Jacksons, Talking Heads, The Velons, Ambergirls, Doobie Brothers, Shobizz, Hollywood Vampires, Latin Dimension more)
• Glenn Palmer - Wardrobe
• Rich Modica - Guitar Tech
• The Block - Band Assistant
• Eric Gardner - Mgmt
• Henry Marquez - Art Direction
• Gavin Cochrane - Photography
• Tom Nikosey - Logo Art

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, or these three artists based on their names. They are an interesting looking bunch, spanning the artistic look from Rockabilly to Punk to Glam to Goth to Powerpop. Looking at them, i expect the music to be something like Poison, to be honest. They look older, so this may be a supergroup of seasoned musicians I just don't know about. But i do know one thing, the fonts chosen for their name on the sleeve and back look awful, like horrendous clip art..although 1985 did not have computer clip art, so maybe they paved they way for what is terrible-looking now.

Album Review: The music is part sleazy arena rock and part hard country rock, but not necessarily rockabilly. maybe a good comparison would be if the Rolling Stones and INXS cross-bred and left the baby to a rich family in the American mid-west. The band was a result of The Stray Cats breaking up, as Phantom & Rocker were both Cats. Slick had been a guitarist for both Bowie and Lennon. On top of that pedigree, Keith Richards plays guitar on the track "My Mistake" and Nicky Hopkins (Who, Kinks, Stones) plays piano on 2 tracks. They only had 2 albums, this one doing well, but the second, Cover Girl, failing.

Stand Out Track: Hollywood Distractions 

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Mountain - Flowers of Evil

Name: Mountain
Album: Flowers of Evil
Year: 1971
Style: Prog, Southern Bluesy Rock, Classic Rock
Similar Bands: Black Sabbath, Cream, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Bloodrock
"One-Word" Review: Mystical jam-band metal.
Based Out Of:  Long Island, NYC
Label: Windfall, Bell Records, Columbia Pictures

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Flowers of Evil (1971)

1. Flowers of Evil 4:53
2. King's Chorale 1:04 (instrumental)
3. One Last Cold Kiss 3:45
4. Crossroader 4:47
5. Pride and Passion 7:05 /
6. Dream Sequence (live Fillmore East 1971) 24:27
1. Guitar Solo
2. Roll Over Beethoven (Chuck Berry cover)
3. Variations
4. Swan Theme
7. Mississippi Queen (live Fillmore East 1971) 3:53

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Leslie West - Guitar, Vox (Vagrants, West Bruce and Laing, David Rea, Dana Valery, Joe Bonamassa, John Entwhistle Band, Clutch, Michael Schenker Group, Voices of Classic Rock, Todd Wolfe & Under the Radar, Jolliver Arkansaw, Mylon, Felix Cavaliere, Deadly Nightshade, Bo Diddley, Dion, Gillian, Billy Joel, Carmine Appice's Guitar Zeus, The Who, Joe Lynn Turner, Randy Coven, Don Nix, Ozzy Osbourne, Hotshot, Ian Gillan, Johnny Winter, Eli Cook)
• Felix Pappalardi - Bass, Vox, Producer (Cream, Pompeii, Devil's Anvil, The Flock, The Realists, Jack Bruce, David Rea, Natural Gas, Jesse Colin Young, Creation, Gasolin', Dead Boys', Casey Anderson, Vince Martin, Fred Neil, Tom Paxton, Richard & Mimi Farina, Tom Rush, Ian & Sylvia, Spider John Koerner, Tim Rose, Bo Grumpus, Kensignton Market, Bunky & Jake, Jolliver Arkansaw, Mylon, John Sebastian, Eric Clapton, Bedlam, Back Door, Eddie Mottau, Sierra, Tim hardin, Vagrants, Tom Paxton)
• Corky Laing - Drums (West Bruce and Laing, Energy, Bartholomew Plus Three, Cork, Pompeii, The B+3, Leslie West Band, The Mix, Jason Hartless, David Rea, Mylon, Dana Valery, Mahogany Rush, Bo Diddley, Tony Wilson, Charlie Karp & Name Droppers, Men Without Hats, Lost & Profound,  JD Blackfoot, David Grahame, Visitors From Bellatrix)
• Steve Knight - Keys (Devil's Anvil, Wings, Feenjon Group, Herbie Mann, George Mgrdichian Ensemble, Andrea Glass, Yacov Dan)
• Gail Collins Pappalardi - Writer, Lyrics
• Bob d'Orleans - Engineer
• Judy Szekely - Asst. Engineer
• Gail Collins - Cover
• Bud Prager - Exec. Producer
• Music Agency - Graphics Coordination

Unknown-ness: Never heard of Mountain. I picked this up in a Goodwill Thrift record stack along side a Mothers of Invention album, so I assume this is going to be similar: odd, avant garde pop. Their band name artwork looks a little spiritual/renaissance/baroque/new agey, so it might go that direction, too.

Album Review: The album's studio side has a theatrical, rock opera, concept theme going on (about drug abuse in Vietnam), perhaps a little like some of early Ween's classic rock, face melting songs, even if this record is not that face melting. Side B is recorded live at the Fillmore East in 1971. The first "track" is a 24 min 30 sec medley that has Chuck Berry's "Roll Over Beethoven" mixed in. Leslie West was the main artist behind Mountain, as the band name is taken from West's first solo album, which refers to his large size and stature. They were a unique sound, blending elements that they were able to fit together very naturally. They soared at Woodstock's Saturday Night stage, only the band's fourth every live performance. After that, they released their first proper album, featuring the classic rock and cowbell hit Mississippi Queen, featured on here as a gritty, filthy live version. Pappalardi was shot & killed by his wife in 1983, and she served about a year in jail. With him gone, West and Laing have regrouped and recorded Mountain albums off an on into the aughts. Some verison of Mountain will still perform today with West & Laing composing the core.

Stand Out Track: One Last Cold Kiss

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Mantronix - In Full Effect

Name: Mantronix
Album: In Full Effect
Year: 1988
Style: Hip-Hop, Rap, Electronic
Similar Bands: M/A/R/R/S, C+C Music Factory, Grandmaster Flash, Beastie Boys, Ice-T, Two Live Crew, S'Express
"One-Word" Review: Sample Pop Beats
Based Out Of: New York City
Label: Capitol, EMI, 

Cover, Sleeve Notes, Record

Back, Lyrics, Record

In Full Effect (1988)

1. Join Me Please (Home Boys- Make Some Noise) 4:24 (single)
2. Love Letter (Desr Tracy) 4:26
3. Gangster Boogie (Walk Like Sex...Talk Like Sex) 3:55
4. In Full Effect 3:50
5. Get Stupid (Part III) 3:45 /
6. Simple Simon (You Gotta Regard) 4:00 (single)
7. Sing A Song (Break It Down) 4:05
8. Do You Like...Mantronik (?) 3:20 (single)
9. Mega-Mix ('88) Instrumental 4:50

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• MC Tee (Toure Embden) - Writer
• Kurtis Mantronik (el Khaleel)- DJ (Chamonix, Electric Circus, Harry's Afro Hut, Kirk Khaleel, M?, Sound Factory, Wonderland more credits)
• Josh Abbey - Mix Engineer, Recording
• Jim Klein - Engineer
• Chep "Homeboy" Nunez - Editing
• Roger "In Full Effect" Paletto - Editing
• Herb "Pump" Powers - Mastering
• Dave the Original B-Boy - Appearance
• Terry Billy - Appearance
• Keith Plex Barnhardt - Guitar (Chaka Khan, EQ, Melody, Nu Shooz, Oran Juice Jones, Diaonne Warwick, Roberta Clack, Hen-Gee & Evil E, Nuttin; Nyce)
• Eric Watson - Photography

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but from the logo and color scheme, it feels like it is going to be a hip hop version of Pet Shop Boys.

Album Review: The album is pretty straight forward samples and hip hop lyrics, like a less dancey C+C Music Factory. I believe i have heard their single Gangster Boogie before, because it sounded awfully familiar. "Get Stupid" is a little embarrassing with the radio announcer vocals, dated jargon, and Liquid Television vocal effects. But for its day, they were a very innovative and important act, combining classic hip hop with electro funk and rhythmic samples featured in the club scene. Per the liner notes, this album was said to be the "First album ever mastered from DAT." and it reached #18 on the R&B Billboard chart.

Stand Out Track: Gangster Boogie (Walk Like Sex...Talk Like Sex)

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Frankie Eldorado - s/t

Name: Frankie Eldorado
Album: s/t
Year: 1980
Style: Power Pop
Similar Bands: Badfinger, Big Star
"One-Word" Review: Light & Smooth Harmonic Power Pop
Based Out Of: NYC, NY
Label: Epic CBS

Cover, Record

 Back, Record

Sleeve Graffiti

Frankie Eldorado (1980)

1. Good Thing 2:55 (Single)
2. Can't Tell Love 2:53
3. Fine Time 2:19
4. Do I Like You 3:01
5. Ain't That Peculiar 5:39 (cover Smokey Robinson & Miracles)/
6. I Know 3:33
7. Hey Little Girl 4:02
8. Don't You Take 3:12 (Single B-Side)
9. Dancin' To Me 3:20
10. Crazy 5:11

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Frankie Eldorado (D'Augusta)- Producer, Vox, Percussion, Engineer, Remixing, Arrangements (Ellen Shipley, Max Demian Band)
• Mark Rocket - Drums, Keys, Arrangements
• Thomas Morrangello - Guitar
• Kasim Sultan - Bass (Blue Oyster Cult, Joan Jett & Blackhearts, Scandal, New Cars, Utopia, Yellow Matter Custard, Meat Loaf, Rick Derringer, Tom Robinson Band, Zoot Money, Jim Steinman, Price, Patty Smyth, David Drew, Johnny Hates Jazz, Celine Dion, Alice Cooper, Bif Naked, Todd Rundgren, Ken Sharp, Steve Hillage, Shaun Cassidy, Indigo Girls)
• Deborah Bucks - Backing Vox (also signature on sleeve)
• Joe Mauri - Guitar (Hilly Michaels, Helen Schneider)
• Jack Leslie - Synth (Tony Orlando, G-Men)
• Benno Friedman - Photography
• Ron Contarsy - Photography
• Paula Scher - Design
• Joey Barbaria - Remix Engineer

Unknown-ness: From the cover and candy lollipop guitar on the back, and the strong color scheme plus New Wave glasses, I assume this will be really fun nervous/anxious/neurotic new wave. Candy themes = bubblegum pop, so strong harmonies and painfully catchy are expected.

Album Review: Well, definitely light on the new wave production, and heavy on the Badfinger style harmonies and pretty straight forward power pop. "Aint That Peculiar" is a Smokey Robinson & the Miracles cover, and reminds me of "The Neutron Dance" slightly for some reason...or at least like the build up could launch the Pointer Sisters song with an easy transition. The opening track has a Fast Times at Ridgemont High feel to it. Not much of a history or future for Frankie, but it looks like he's carved out a little obscure corner to work on production from what i've been able to gather on line.

Stand Out Track: Good Thing

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N1M

Good Rats - From Rats to Riches

Name: Good Rats
Album: From Rats to Riches
Year:1978
Style: Glam, Metal, Powerpop, Prog
Similar Bands: Journey, Def Leppard, Queen, Cheap Trick, Kiss, Alex Harvey Band, Black Sabbath, Rush
"One-Word" Review: Theatrical Metal
Based Out Of: Long Island, NYC
Label: Passport, JEM

Cover, Credits, Record

Back, Lyrics, Record

From Rats to Riches (1978)

1. Taking It To Detroit 3:36
2. Just Found me A Lady 2:50
3. Mr. Mechanic 3:39
4. Dear Sir 3:12
5. Let Me 4:45 /
6. Victory In Space 3:06
7. Coo Coo Coo Blues 4:37
8. Don't hate the Pnes Who Bring You Rock n' Roll 3:18
9. Could be Tonight 2:54
10. Local Zero 5:08

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Micky Marchello - Guitar, Vox, Guitar Arrangements
• Joe Franco - Drums (Twisted Sister, Chiliwack, Fiona, Widowmaker, Vinnie Moore, Blues Saraceno, Leslie West, Jack Bruce, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Taylor Dayne, Diana Ross, Hall & Oates, Desperado, The Ladder, Ellen Shipley, Barry Manilow, Natalie Cole, Annie Haslam, Donnie Osmond, Natasha's Brother, Baton Rouge, Henry Lee Summer,Kathy Troccoli, Sheena Easton, Jennifer Holiday, Francesca Beghe, Doro, Mojo Bros. Hammerhead, Magellan, Vanm Helsing's Curse, Mecano, Eddie Ojeda, Steve Walsh, James LaBrie, Leslie West)
• Peppi Marchello - Lead Vox, Writer (U-Men, Popzarocca, Marchello, Dum, Intergalactic Touring Band)
• John "the cat" Gatto - Guitar, Keys
• Lenny Kotke - Bass, Vox
• Flo & Eddie (Mark Volman & Howard Kaylan) - Producer, Ba Ba Ba's (Phlorescent Leech & Eddie, The Turtles, Frank Zappa)
• John Hansen - Engineer, Mixing
• Clay Hutchinson - Second Engineer
• Stephen Galfas - Project Coordinator, Co-Producer, Engineer
• David Sonenberg - Business Director
• Alan MacMillan - String Arrangement & Conduction (Hollywood Vampires, Lou Reed, Alice Cooper, Babys, UFO, Del Erickson, Staccatos, Poco, Guess Who, Barnaby Bye, Kiss, Dave Mason, American Flyer, Mike Finnigan) 
• Tom Juliano - Sax (Gentle Giants, Kip Carmen)
• Brian Cuomo - Piano (Fireballet, Sylvia, First Class, Brook Benton, Jack McDuff, Intergalactic Touring Band, Martha Velez, Brother to Brother, Eon, First Class, Bill Perkins, Strawbs)
• Joe Hosey - Art Direction, Layout & Design
• Murray Brenman - Art Direction, Layout & Design
• Bob Friedman - Photos
• Bob Sherbow - Photos
• Tom Macchi - Album Title

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. But they have some solid facial hair going on the cover, and they really look like a bunch of musicians, rather than models posing as a band. Between the cover & smokey back, they seem like this might be a slightly experimental, possibly punk or prog-centered band with a sense of humor.

Album Review: This album spans a gamut of Def Leppard Metal, Queen Glam Pop, catchy Cheap Trick Power-Punk and even some orchestral sections. hard to truly put this band in one genre- in a good way- as the songs still sound cohesive. Some times they go heavy with prog, sometimes harmonized hairband rock, sometime theatrical ballad or showtunes...even throwing in some Beach Boys harmonies. Their 1974 Tasty was their biggest release. And they played with huge superstars at some of the biggest venues- mostly on the East coast, however.

Stand Out Track: Victory in Space

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