Ace Frehley "Origins Vol. 1" aka Sonically Challenged Vol. 1.

Let me preface this by saying I have been a Kiss fan since 1973 and was playing air guitar to his solo on "Getaway" before most people reading this were even born. I consider Ace one of the most influential guitarists of a generation. I was so looking forward to this album after Ace's last release, "Space Invader". An album I gave a positive review. So...having said that. Are all these 5 star reviews listening to the same album? The overall quality of this release is just average. Yes, Ace pulls out some good solos on "Fire & Water" and "Street Fighting Man", but his duet with Slash on "Emerald" is flat out brutal and blasphemous. Well worth buying because of "Emerald"? Have you ever heard the original. The version here shows how good and underrated Gorham and Robertson were. Ace and Slash are known to be "sloppy" in their playing. Being "non-technical" is what makes/made them special, but this just made me cringe. "Cold Gin" and "Parasite" are no where near as good as the original studio or "Alive!" versions; and can't be rescued by the presence of John 5 or the overrated Mike McCready. I always take Ace's vocals with a grain of salt, and he does a pretty decent job here. Paul Stanley's guest vocals may be the highlight of the entire album. The overall sound of the album is like an old Maxell Cassette tape when you flipped on the Dolby switch. Anyone old enough to remember knows what I am talking about. The high ends totally disappear and the sound gets muddy. The drums almost sound plastic and I have no idea if there even was a bass player for this album. The production here makes "Hotter Than Hell" sound like a George Martin record. Anyway, a quick written review for an album with a few passable tracks. You may read this once, maybe twice....about the same amount of time you'll give to this cd. Rating? 4/10

Motorhead "Bad Magic"....Lemmy's Swan Song?

Damn....40 years and Lemmy can still bring it. Arguably one of Motorhead's best "Post-Eddie" album. Bad magic owes as much to The Ramones and Sex Pistols simple rock 'n' roll assault as it does to those classic Motorhead albums of the past. Short, straight ahead, no frills rock 'n' roll with the heavy element only Motorhead can bring. Lemmy sounds in fine form, although a bit winded and a little less robust than past efforts. Mickey Dee...a given on drums. Phil Campbell? This guy's playing just keeps getting better and better. His tone is just killer throughout the entire album. Anyway...a short review for awesome album. I would be remissed not to mention the album's final track. A cover of the Stone's "Sympathy For The Devil". When I saw it on the album, and heard Lemmy sing it for the first time, the only thing I could think was this may be Lemmy's Epitaph. Let's hope not. This is Motorhead, and they own rock 'n' roll. Rating? 10/10

"Ace Frehley Lead Guitar!"

If the above phrase, first yelped out by Paul Stanley back in the early 70's, is what Ace Frehley means to you, than you need to get your hands on this album. Ace is back! Well I put him at 90% of his 70's glory. For most artists, the songs are the vehicle and the guitar riffs. licks and solos come along for the ride. For me, anyway, Ace's music is just the opposite. Ace's guitar is in the driver seat and the rest of the song comes along for the ride. "Space Invader" leads off with 2 killer guitar tracks and rarely lets up on the gas. The songs are all above average with great hooks and melodies reminiscent of Ace's work with Kiss and his first solo album. Ace's vocals? Ace is Ace and I personally like his vocal work, especially the way he pronounces certain words ("Maurice" in the song "The Joker" comes to mine) with his New York monotone. Lastly the overall sound of the album is interesting. The mix seems a bit muddy and at first it put me back; but after several listens it began to grow on me......kinda like a digital version of "Hotter Than Hell" with Ace's guitar layered and upfront in the mix. Oh...and after several listens, try to the song "Gimme A Feelin'" out of your head. The song has been stuck in mine for the last 48 hours. It's been awhile since I've been able to say that for any Kiss related music. All in all Ace's best solo work, just a few notches below his 70's classic. Rating? 8.5/10

Ted Nugent "Shutup & Jam!" - He's Back!!!!

 I felt a bit compelled to post my thoughts on this latest release by Uncle Ted, although for sake of "ASAP", my usual tedious attention to details and proper grammar may be absent. Cred....bought the first Ted Nugent album on vinyl back in '75.  I have purchased every album since and have seen him live at least a half dozen times over the years.  Ok?

With Ted, it is always about the sound.  They guitar sound.  The guitar sound you hear which makes you immediately reply....that's Ted!  This album is Ted's signature sound through and through.  The band is kick @ss and the overall production is top rate. Very similar in overall sound and production to Ted's last great guitar masterpiece, "Scream Dream".  All the instruments are clear and bright with Ted's guitar right up front in the mix...where it should be. "Shutup & Jam!" has a real tube, rather than digitalized/transistor feel.  Nugent has never been about introspective, deep and emotional lyrics...so you won't get that here.  Ted has exchanged poontang, making pussies purr and salami legs for BBQ's, Firearms and Jammin'.  Like I said, the lyrics (at least for me) have always been secondary to Ted's arsenal of guitar licks and riffs.  The album rocks, rolls, funks, rhythms and blues's (sic?).  My only beef is only one vocal appearance by Derek St. Holmes.  Even though Ted's vocals are surprisingly good, I would have liked to hear St. Holmes on a few more tracks.  Sammy Hagar's appearance on "She's Gone" is an added bonus, so we'll call it even.

So if ya like old time Ted, this one is a for sure.  Crank it up and if the neighbors smile, invite them over for a cold one.  Otherwise, &%$# em!

****The title track puzzled me at first.  I knew the melody and chorus came from a old 60's tune, but it took a few listens before a bulb went on.  The band who recorded the song came to me first, then  the title of the track itself.  If you know it, who originally wrote the song?****

Rating? 8.5/10

                                                                

Fast Eddie Clarke "Make My Day: Back To Blues"

Even in the blues guitar "format", former Motorhead Axeman, Fast Eddie Clarke's guitar is instantly recognizable.  His solos are smooth, effortless, rockin' and yes, still "fast" (at times). Most of the tracks are played at your standard blues to up-tempo blues rock pace.  The exception is the instrumental, "Ethereal Blue", which could be considered a very, very distant cousin to Peter Green's "Supernatural".  The vocals are really the only weak link here, lying somewhere between passable and brutal;  however,  Eddie's guitar consistently  comes to the rescue. The rhythm section is simple and tight laying a perfect back round for Clarke's guitar.  The song "Walking Too Slow" is my favorite.  It could almost pass for an early Motorhead demo track.  The overall sound and mix is great...no loudness wars here whatsoever.
All in all way, way better than I ever expected, hence my need to post this review.
Rating? 8/10

                                                                                

The Sword.....Respect The Rock.

Gonna make this one short and try to get to the point.  The Sword, my favorite new, but old band.  They have been around for over a decade, but I just started to pay attention the last few months.
I will use the cliche analogy formula of....imagine a combination of Black Sabbath, Metallica, Judas Priest, ZZ Top, Fu Manchu, Kyuss and Thin Lizzy spawning a four piece, twin guitar rock band.  If you can wrap your frontal lobe around that to any degree, you will get an idea of what The Sword has to offer.  They are from Austin, Texas, but could easily be from the back alleys of some European City to be named later. 
Of their four albums, "Warp Riders" is my favorite.  Well produced, great sound and  most excellent songs.
A science fiction inspired, concept album which improves and expands on each succesive listen.
Twin guitars (Lizzy/Priest), and a killer rhythm section (Sabbath/Metallica) fuel this scientifically inspired, sonic offering.  I highly recommend it to any fan of the above mentioned bands or of Hard Rock or Heavy Metal.....'nuff said.
Rating?  9/10

                                                                                   
                                                                          
                                                                            
                                                                                

Status Quo - The Frantic Four Reunion 2012

This  2 CD set from Status  Quo 2012 Frantic Four Reunion Tour recorded at the Hammersmith Apollo may be one of the best live recording ever to bring on another bought of tinnitus.  Also titled  "Back2 SQ.1", the band rips though some of their classics tracks like it was 1970's all over again.  If you made it this far, you probably already are a Status Quo fan.  This recording combines the 2 performances which were issued separately on the 2 cd sets available from the Quo Website.  Although the in between song chatter is missing and the 2 shows are combined, the overall sound quality is improved compared to the original 2 cd sets.  A great song selection spanning the bands early "Frantic Four" career.  The only omission being "Caroline".  The intro to "Backwater" may be one of the best rock song intros ever. Not a great review, but a 10 outta 10 recommendation.
Rating? 10/10