Shuffalin shuffalin through the first ten songs on the iPod and throwing out my two cents on each.  Happy reading!

“Don’t Look Down” Point Blank, On A Roll

From the band that bought you the classic early ’80s AOR staple “Nicole” comes another fine little tune, kicking off with some dramatic piano and keyboard textures before drifting into some simple riffing and melodic verse/chorus sections.  Definitely a sound of the times, a bit southern rock in style mixed with a touch of reggae bop(?) and a tasty chicken pickin’ guitar solo with singer Bubba Keith’s radio friendly voice leading the way.

“By The Way” Big Wreck, In Loving Memory Of

Sounding like a cross between Led Zeppelin, Jeff Buckley, and Chris Cornell’s mellower pieces from Soundgarden, Big Wreck nails it here with heavily layered guitars to back Ian Thornley’s impassioned vocal.  And speaking of that vocal, Thornley hits some sweet, sweet falsetto highs to envelop you in that warm embrace of song.  Some light hints of percussion and understated drums, but who wants to cover up such a beautiful vocal?

“It Baffles The Mind” Priestess, Prior To The Fire

Loved that first Priestess album but I’ll admit it took me awhile to get into #2’s more progressiveisms, especially something like this with the odd push/pull of the drums against the main riff.  Thought I had two different songs playing at the same time.  Come chorus time things even out a liiiiiittle bit, but I dunno…  I think that riff needs to be more in the forefront of the mix and that snare dropped down four or five notches.  It’s definitely a cool little pattern but it’s fighting for space.  Sorry guys, have to be honest 😦

“From Here To Eternity” Iron Maiden, A Real Live One

I love Maiden but there are times they frustrate the hell out of me.  I was working at the record store when this came out and I was totally, totally bummed at the bootleg quality of this disc and somewhat lackluster performances from the band.  “From Here To Eternity” is a decent little romp, Bruce a bit too fast at the beginning and a bit wobbly in the vocal but all in good sloppy fun.  Great lead from Davey, Steve a little clanky in the bass, and Nicko’s drums?  Like slapping pillows… yeesh…

“Toast Of The Town” Motley Crue, Red White & Crue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3YMNZPDIzY

From the Crue’s first single comes B side “Toast Of The Town”, which I’ve got on their Red, White, & Crue compilation.  Not a bad little cut and certainly fits along with their glammier songs that were big on their first album, although I’ve been more into their chunkier riffsters.  An interesting listen as the elements of the band are certainly on display with Vince offering up his typical vocal and Tommy’s strong drum part, although Mick Mars almost overplays considering his work on the hits.

“Only My Soul” Whitesnake, Snakebite

I miss early Whitesnake…  technically part of his second solo album before he fully donned the ‘Snake moniker, “Only My Soul” fits David Coverdale’s bluesy range to a tee as it steers far far away from the latter day screech.  Stretches the boundaries of the bluesy groove with some spacy keyboards to the end, but that just adds to the coolness of the song.  No oversinging here but he does ramp it up in spots to add some sweet dynamics along with future Snake man Micky Moody’s riffing.

“Too Daze Gone” Billy Squier, Don’t Say No

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNufqe0PRKE

Man, talk about a staple of my early high school “daze”…  Billy Squier was ALL OVER THE RADIO and “Too Daze Gone” was many of the great cuts from his fine Don’t Say No album-  a great riff, fun singalong chorus, and killer Billy vocal.  Oh man, and that lazy groove on here is fab too-  kind of a Zep/Stones mix that just slithers along and slowly ropes you in with its hookiness.  Quick, someone get this to one of the female country singers…  I smell a hit!

“Angels High” Backdraft, Here To Save You All

Oh those crazy crazy Swedes…  “Angels High” and Backdraft cop the southern holler, swagger, ‘n groove of a band like Blackfoot or ZZ Top crossed with Skynyrd.  Maybe a little more metallic in approach but that feel is certainly there and most welcome and almost fresh sounding considering this came out in the early 00s in that post grunge/nu metal cesspool.  Crosses into that stoner rock vibe that newer cats like Maylene & The Sons Of Disaster and Alabama Thunderpussy are mining.  Good stuff.

“Little Town Square” Junior Brown, Mixed Bag

Like the title of this album, Junior Brown’s songs are totally a mixed bag and “Little Town Square” falls on one end of the man’s vast talent spectrum.  If you like old school country, rich and resonant vocals, and lyrics that tell a story you’ll love the double meaning behind the tale of the town and one of its (soon to be) heroic citizens.  One of the reasons I’m a Junior fan is not only his stellar guitar work and rippin’ good uptempo tunes but also how he can write a weeper like this one.

“Big Big Man” The Beat Farmers, The Pursuit Of Happiness

“Big Big Man” is just a great little rock tune, a decent little chugglin’ and lopin’ riff with some killer guitar tradeoffs between main vocalists Joey Harris and Jerry Rainey towards the tail end.  I always liked the way the Harris/Rainey harmonies and vocal line worked too, one keeping a relatively lower range while the other throwing in some higher stretches.  Would have loved to have seen these guys back in the day (RIP Country Dick Montana!).

Wow, hard choice for song of the week but I gotta go with “Too Daze Gone” the clear winner!