After the disappointment of Jack Russell’s
Great White, I’m hoping that Stephen Pearcy fares better. I think (in the
distance, somewhere near Milan) I can hear the bottom of barrels being
scraped….
Best known as the
original vocalist and founding member of the platinum rock band RATT, Stephen
Pearcy has been working hard to complete his highly anticipated fourth solo
album, while at the same time keeping busy performing shows across the U.S.
“I am very happy with the new music and the diversity of the songs. It's taken some time. I'm sure all the fans will be excited too,” says Stephen about the new album.
“Smash” was mixed and mastered by none other than the legendary Beau Hill, the producer of RATT's first four albums, among many other hit records. Stephen will be supporting "SMASH" with live dates in the U.S. and internationally.
With over 15 million records and gold and platinum long form videos sold in the U.S. alone with RATT, touring the world with over (20) albums to his credit with other ventures, solo projects, compilations, best of records, and other bands he created, there is no slowing Pearcy down.
Beau Hill has weaved his magic over the years, but not even he has enough polish to buff this one into and decent shape. Give yourself a gold star if you thought I was going to say ‘turd’.
“I am very happy with the new music and the diversity of the songs. It's taken some time. I'm sure all the fans will be excited too,” says Stephen about the new album.
“Smash” was mixed and mastered by none other than the legendary Beau Hill, the producer of RATT's first four albums, among many other hit records. Stephen will be supporting "SMASH" with live dates in the U.S. and internationally.
With over 15 million records and gold and platinum long form videos sold in the U.S. alone with RATT, touring the world with over (20) albums to his credit with other ventures, solo projects, compilations, best of records, and other bands he created, there is no slowing Pearcy down.
Beau Hill has weaved his magic over the years, but not even he has enough polish to buff this one into and decent shape. Give yourself a gold star if you thought I was going to say ‘turd’.
On first inspection,
Pearcy doesn’t sound too bad. I was flinching a in anticipation as some of the
Ratt stuff I’ve seen on YouTube is rough to say the least. A good producer can obviously add some spit
and polish to proceedings. Not possessing the finest set of pipes, he used them
very well and to his advantage in the 1980s. He’s certainly made the best out
of an average voice.
‘I know I’m Crazy’
comes off as a plodding grunge track, which would have been fine in 1992, but
some 25yrs later, its off the mark by some distance. ‘Ten Miles Wide’ fares a lot better as it’s
more in Ratt territory, but not quite there. ‘Shut Down Baby’ is a song that
could have gone in a different direction with its decent sounding riff, but
gets lost. ‘Dead Roses’ has a bit of a Velvet Revolver vibe and is the best of
the bunch so far. ‘Lollipop’ is one of the worst named songs in rock history
and screams ‘meh!’.
‘Rain’ has an 80s
based riff, but doesn’t have the legendary Ratt bridge or chorus to lift it.
‘Want To Much’ is a decent enough song, but given everything that precedes it,
its not that hard to be good, but it does have elements of vintage Pearcy. Just
‘Jamie’ out of the last five songs deserves any credit, but unfortunately, the
rest are just uninspired and unforgettable. If this or Jack Russell’s albums
are in any Top 10 lists come the end of the year, I will definitely show my
arse in Woolies window! Or whatever the equivalent is in 2017 – ‘Home Bargains?’
Smash is aptly
titled, as that’s what I’d probably like to do to it.
When I first
heard ‘Infestation’ in 2010 I was very impressed as this was VINTAGE Ratt. ‘Smash’
on the other hand is instantly forgettable unfortunately. It reminds me of
Journey’s last jaunt to the UK, it looked like they just wanted to not just
take the money and run, but count it on stage in front of you to piss you right
off. Pearcy is the same here, probably not believing that someone has given him
a wad of money for someone who peaked musically some time ago. That hurts for
me to say that to a person who sang classics like ‘Back For More’, ‘Round And
Round’, “Wanted Man’ and ‘Lay It Down’
Come on Frontiers, pull
your finger out. I’m hoping Pride Of Lions wont let me down….?
Score 45/100
Stephen E. Pearcy –
Lead, Backing Vox
Erik Ferentinos –
Rhythm & Lead Guitars, BVs
Gred D’Angelo – Drums
Matt Thorn – Bass
Chris Hager –
Guitars, lead Guitar on Track 3
Tracklisting -
I Know I’m Crazy
Ten Miles Wide
Shut Down Baby
Dead Roses
Lollipop
Hit Me With A Bullet
Rain
Want Too Much
What Do Ya Think
Jamie
I Cant Take It
Passion Infinity
Summers End
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