BRIGHTON ROCK - S/T

It's been awhile since I last updated this blog. So, here goes another one of my so-called "reviews" (just my 2-cents worth) on this another Canadian band called BRIGHTON ROCK. I remember reading about them way back in high school and their debut album. Also remember how one of the guys in this group, at least in that promo pic, look very much like Jon Bon Jovi (who at that time was the biggest rock star on the planet). All I could ever do at that time was wish I can listen to their album 'coz I knew that there was no way I could ever get a copy of their album. Well, after more than a decade, I was able to get a hold of their self-titled debut on CD format. The music itself didn't disappoint. Just the right kind of hard rock that I expected from a typical "hair band". But the production of the album is terrible (well, I've heard worse). Thinking that it is already digitized, I expected more. The sound was just not loud enough. And I mean that literally. In other indie produced CDs, you can say that the mix was not good. But in this case the mixing of the vocals and instruments was good enough. Probably, just the transferring from the master tapes. Anyway, some good rockers here like "We Came To Rock", "Assault Attack", "Jack Is Back" & "Barricade". Noticed the title?, even by just looking at the sleeves and reading them, you'll get the impression that this is indeed another album that will rock you. Again, the music didn't disappoint and can really satisfy if you're craving for another hard rock band other than your typical White Lion, Winger or Warrant. This one is not that hard to find. Still available on eBay. So, if you happen to chance it there, bid on it. Guaranteed rock n'roll!

The Big Prize by Honeymoon Suite

Just would like to take a break from the CD hunting report and just write about one of my most favorite Canadian band of all time and their second release, The Big Prize. I've been holding on to my copy of this CD for several years now even though one of the tracks skips and I still haven't found another copy of this in my recent CD hunting expeditions. I'm not that in a hurry, though because this one is still available thru their official website and even on eBay. Anyway, the music on this CD packs more punch than their self-titled debut that was released in 1984. Released on Valentine's Day of '86, it went platinum in Canada in just a short time which is not a surprise. Music fans in those days still know what was done right and with class unlike today. This is pure AOR heaven! Like what was written earlier, this one rocks more than their first release. More crunch on their guitar sound and more aggressive. Though they still have their "old" sound that is melodic rock in songs like What Does Is Take, they have taken it a notch more in terms of "heaviness" with songs like Wounded. I can still remember in my high school days listening to that song on our old cassette player, liking it very much and wondering who the hell it was. I thought then that it was Night Ranger because of the keyboards, for no one (I thought) can use the keyboard on their songs and not sounding like a wimp like NR. Then after more than a decade, I finally heard this song again inside our car after getting a hold of this CD. Then I finally learned more about this band and got the idea that "maybe Canadians do it more with style?". Of course I know Rush and Triumph, but it is as if this band opened my eyes to what is more out there. And one more thought, this one was done a year ahead of Slippery When Wet by Bon Jovi which was also produced by the same producer of this one (Bruce Fairbairn), maybe, the Bon Jovi guys thought that this is exactly the kind of sound that they're looking for so they got the same producer and also recorded in the same recording studio where Honeymoon Suite made this album. Maybe.

Excellent CD store on 48th Street, Red Deer

Since learning about this "new" CD store from the Yellow Pages, I've looked for it. I put a quotation marks on the word new since this shop is not exactly newly established but just recently discovered. The name of this shop is Records To The Rafters. I went there last Monday and to my dismay, it was closed! I was already thinking that this business is on it's way out and about to be sold. Luckily, I once again checked it out yesterday after running several errands and finally saw it's doors opened! I immediately searched for a parking space and even though it was raining, I ran to that store like salvation was being offered there for free. It was being manned by a guy, who I guess is already in his late 50s or early 60s. Then after taking some breath, I did what I've always wanted to do since the time I first peeked through the front glass of the store - I browse like there's no tomorrow. There are several good titles I could have picked up (I could have but due to lack of funds...) but settled for those two pictured above. Funny, I just saw the Dead Beat Honeymooners on eBay last weekend and contemplating to bid on it. Just my luck that it was there right in front of me. About the Memphis Messiah, I don't know anything about this CD or band. All I know is that I remember seeing it in heavyharmonies.com so, I picked that one up. Good thing I did 'coz there is this amazing ballad there titled "Heaven". Yeah, yeah - I know that it's one of those power ballads that hair bands have to do to show their mellow side (there are several Heaven songs done by different hair bands and the most famous is that of Warrant). But trust me, this one is different. That song is worth the price alone of that CD. So, if ever you'll come across with that Memphic Messiah CD, don't hesistate to pick it up. Anyway, there are several titles that I have to leave behind since I don't have that much money but I'll definitely come back for them to this sweet, sweet CD store on 48th Street in Red Deer, Alberta.

A dumpster diving report from a very frustrating day

Yesterday, the 5th of September was kinda frustrating one for me. I was thinking or going back to my local 2nd-hand CD shop to redeem

my $15-worth of anything from that store. I was thinking of getting the DEICIDE self-titled CD which was priced at $11 but decided against it. I'm not really into Death Metal, anyway. So I left the store a little frustrated. When I got home, my wife and I managed to finish some important paperworks for our medical insurance. I was hoping we can mail them that day. It was already 4:00 pm and we also have to drop by the bank to withdraw some money to pay some bills, have some important documents to photocopy AND THEN go to the post office to mail those docs. My wife and 7-year old son were moving as if they're in a park without any care in the world. I was becoming frustrated. We got to the bank and were able to withdrew some dough but when we got to the place we we're going to do the photocopying, it was to late. My wife noticed the frustration on my face. I was getting worried about our medical insurance for it has a deadline to meet. We just decided to go home. On our way, I remember my promise to my wife that I'll take her to this small 2nd-hand furniture and appliances shop that I always passed by when taking my son to school. So, we drove there with one boy complaining at the back of the car telling us he didn't like the idea of more driving. When we got there, I just learned that the shop doesn't just sell furnitures and appliances, they also have some old CDs(!!!). It was exactly like an over-stuffed pawnshop! I enjoyed my sweet time scanning the titles and then I saw one CD that has one long-haired guy on the cover. I asked the guy manning the store if I can listen to it. He agreed and when I put the disc and pressed play, I heard the sound - THE SOUND of distorted guitars from the speaker. It's just right for me. I bought the CD (along with a Star Wars VHS that my son had seen a million times) and when we got home, checked eBay how much it cost. There is this one seller from Germany who has a Buy-It-Now price for this title for $70! The artist and title of this sucker is: Marc LaBossiere - S/T. It turned out a good day for me after all. Now about our medical insurance....

Kim Mitchell's AKIMBO ALOGO

First off, I'm very excited to share to anybody who cares about the first full-length solo outing of this great Canadian rocker Kim Mitchell. The title of the album is Akimbo Alogo and what an album it is! Unlike most of the music of today (it was released in 1984 - 24 years ago), this one won't treat you like a moron (Hannah Montana anyone?). From the opening track "Go For Soda" which was adapted as the theme song of Mothers Against Drunk Driving I already felt this record would be something special and not just recorded and released just to make some artist popular or for the label to amass money from rock n'roll spoon-fed public. Great guitar playing, too; check out Mitchell's solo on "Love Ties". It's not as bombastic as any Vai and Bettencourt solos but really fluid. But the song that will bring tears to your eyes is the track "All We Are". Just excellent.

This one is not really that hard to find. Check out eBay and you can score it cheap and even SEALED! I got mine second hand and some idiot wrote his name and address on the front insert. Now go check it out!

My very first!!!

Hey, there to all of you bums! This is my very first blog. This is all about my passsion for 80s hard rock music (AOR, "hair metal", heavy metal).

I've been in constant search for the most elusive CD title and I want all of you to share my experiences and also, give you about my 2 cents worth about an album that I just acquired. I promise you, this will be very interesting so I hope anybody out there who can spare a time to come and visit this blog everyday. This is all for now. Ciao baby!