I've been a fan of Earl Slick since the No Brakes album gave a reason to hunt out his back catalogue, and I doubt there's an AOR fan anywhere who hasn't got a healthy respect for the Perryesque vocals of David Glen Eisley. So, when I heard they had teamed up with Keni Richards and Kirk Alley, I was keen to get my ears round the results. Many people have expressed doubts about these sincerity of Messrs's Slick and Eisley's new found roots (bad-assed blooze attitood) but it rings true to me.
"Bad Reputation" rips out of the speakers, followed by the lazy slide sass of "Lazy Crazy." Along with "Soul of a Loaded Gun," "Badlands," and "One Good Reason."
The songs strike the right pose, down and dirty, a nod at the 12-bar FACES; but only the slightest nod, the songs are further into the 90s than most of the "glad rag" gypsies currently touting their influences on their guitars and in their wardrobes. Summer smooth, radio friendly choruses add so much!
Earl Slick gets a special mention, as for my money he's one of the best around. Great to see someone go their own way. Mr VAI has cornered the flash bastard market, so why bother chasing it. If DWB had the marketing and budget of, 0h let's say THE BLACK CROWES, this album would be a healthy shade of platinum by now. But who wants to ride the back or fickle fashion? Songs this good don't get away.
Grade: 9/10
Simon Robinson
Riff Raff
July 1990
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