Author: 2loud2oldmusic

1995 – The Greatest Year in Music?

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic30 Comments

If you are new to the site, I started this series with the year 1987 and then noticed that 1991 and 1983 were also a couple of the greatest years in music.  I got to thinking, was there a pattern that every 4 years we have another great year in music.  Well, I am not sure the theory held up for me with 1979, but now I am exploring the year 1995. If you want to explore the other years, click on the link below…

1979 – The Greatest Year in Music?

1983 – The Greatest Year in Music?

1987 – The Greatest Year in Music?

1991 – The Greatest Year in Music?

Will 1995 be another great year or is my theory fully debunked with this year.  Let us explore and see and then decide a the end.  But first we have to ask What were the top albums of the year?, What were the debut albums from some of the great rock bands? and What was going on in the world of music that year?

NEWS:

1995 didn’t have any major news story that changed music like 1979 with the Sony Walkman and 1983 with the release of the CD, but a couple big stories did happen.

KISS_UnpluggedOn August 9th, a major even happened in the history of Kiss.  Kiss performed on MTV’s Unplugged series.  That in and of itself was nothing special, but some special guests were invited up on the stage and out walked Ace & Peter.  It was the first time in 16 years the original members of Kiss (Gene, Paul, Peter & Ace) had played together.  It was so well received that the following year, Kiss put their make-up back on and the first reunion tour was kicked off and the Kiss Unplugged album was finally released.  This event started it off.

Continue reading “1995 – The Greatest Year in Music?” →

Maroon 5 – The Albums Ranked Worst to First

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic32 Comments

With Maroon 5 heading out for their next big tour this Summer, I thought I might go through and rank their albums from Worst to First.  With a span of 6 albums over 16 years, they have put out some great albums and a couple not so great ones.  I am going to keep this strictly to Maroon 5’s studio albums and not include any from them when they were known as Kara’s Flowers or any live or re-mix albums.  This will keep it simpler and keep me sane from digging into everything else that is out there.

Now, take a seat and lean back and read on and find out how I rank the Maroon 5 albums from Worst to First.  And of course, we will start with the Worst…

7 – THE WORST – ‘Jordi’ (2021):

I didn’t think they could keep going backwards, but they have done just that.  ‘Jordi’ is another example of a band that feels they have to have a “Featured” artists to get played on the radio.  They have Megan Thee Stallion, H.E.R., blackbear, Nipsey Hussle to name only a few.  Out of the 14 songs on the Deluxe Edition, 9 have a guest artist featured on the song.  NINE!!!  That is INSANE!! Continue reading “Maroon 5 – The Albums Ranked Worst to First” →

My Sunday Song – “I Remember You” by Skid Row

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic14 Comments

For My Sunday Song #94, “I Remember You” by Skid Row is the next power ballad on the list.  The song came out in November 1989 and by 1990 it was a huge success. It made it to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and ended up in being played at every high school’s prom according to Sebastian Bach in interview with SleazeRoxx.com.  Who doesn’t remember dancing to this song (well, I don’t because I had already graduated high school three years earlier).

What band wasn’t doing power ballads back in the day, so why is this one so special? Well, it is easy.  It is Sebastian Bach’s vocals.  He delivered such a powerful, heartfelt, emotional performance of the song written by fellow bandmates Rachel Bolan and Dave Sabo.  Now, Scotti Hill also laid down a killer guitar in the middle of the song that could stand up with any of the time.  It was lethal combination.  If you saw them live and this song came on, your lighter would be flickering as you raised your arm high into the air with everyone else in the building.

The song’s lyrics reflect a sadness and regret for a long lost love.  A longing for the times together and Bach captures that essence perfectly.  Rob Affuso’s drumming is strong and underlines the song with a punch that helps lift the ballad to another level.  There is no denying this was one of the best power ballads to come out of the whole movement.  I find it just as good today as it was back then.

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “I Remember You” by Skid Row” →

Friday New Releases – June 1st

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic23 Comments

Welcome to the First Friday of June and better yet, the first day of June.  We are now getting into the Summer months and it is going to be Hot with new releases and temperatures.  There only a couple I am interested in the one will require a lot of dough.  My choices are highlighted in Blue.  What interests you?  Leave me a comment.

  • 614aKIFCXNL._AC_US436_QL65_.jpg  Def Leppard – The Collection: Volume One – (Mercury):  Okay, Def Leppard is re-releasing Four Collections of all their albums plus some bonus material.  I will just quote from Amazon exactly…

This initial volume of the band’s complete recorded output comes in a limited-edition 180-gram heavyweight vinyl box set, featuring Def Leppard’s first four studio albums — along with some choice bonus live and studio material — all spread across 8LPs. The Volume One collection contains all of Def Leppard’s iconic 1980s recordings – On Through The Night, High ‘N’ Dry, Pyromania and Hysteria – with reproductions of the original packaging. Furthermore, this collection includes a replica 7-inch single of the band’s original independent EP, the self-titled The Def Leppard E.P. The Volume One collection also houses bonus material including Live At The LA Forum 1983, originally released as a bonus disc in the deluxe CD version of Pyromania, making this the first-ever vinyl offering of the complete show. This 2LP version comes with a new sleeve and inner bags. The box set also includes Rarities Volume 1 which has been specially compiled by Joe Elliott, containing rare B-sides and recordings from Def Leppard’s early years, all in a newly commissioned sleeve. Each album in the Volume One box set was mastered by longtime band producer/soundmaster Ronan McHugh and frontman/vocalist Joe Elliott at Joe’s Garage in Dublin, Ireland, and cut by Greg Moore. Housed in rigid boxes, the Volume One collection also contains a hardback book with rare photos by longstanding band confidant Ross Halfin and liner notes by Classic Rock’s Paul Elliott. Def Leppard bandmembers Joe Elliott, bassist Rick Savage, drummer Rick Allen, and guitarist Phil Collen have all also contributed their personal introductions to the collection.

Continue reading “Friday New Releases – June 1st” →

“Screaming in the Night (Live)” by Krokus – Special Promotional 12 Inch

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic13 Comments

In 1986, Krokus released their first live album, ‘Alive  and Screamin” and to celebrate that release they put out a Special Promotional 12″ Single of “Screaming in the Night”.  When I was in New York back in April, I came across this beauty and had to have it.

What attracted it to me was the cover.  It was a variation of the live album’s cover by Les Edwards.  It is so creepy and sinister that it looked perfectly eerie and something I needed in my collection.  The picture is taken from Les Edwards’ painting of ‘The Croglin  Vampire’ and was also used as a bookcover for Best New Horror 1990, edited by Stephen Jones and Ramsey Campbell and published by Robinson, and on Super-Monsters by Daniel Cohen, published by Archway.  Just click on the link if you want to see the original artwork.

IMG_0915

 

The first side of the record you get two versions of “Screaming in the Night”. You get the live version from the live album and then you get the full length studio version (not the radio edit).  The live version sounds incredible.  It captures the magic of the album version and brings a new energy to the song.  The sound is crystal clear and is everything you want in a live song.

For the live album, there are two changes in the line-up.  You now have Tommy Keiser on Bass and Jeff Klaven on drums.  The studio album had Chris von Rohr on Bass and Steve Pace on drums.  Otherwise, you still have Marc Storace on Vocals, Fernando von Arb on Lead Guitar and Mark Kohler on Rhythm Guitar.

IMG_0917

On Side Two you get a live version of “Headhunter” also from ‘Alive and Screamin”.  It is bombastic, loud, and so in your face.  Marc Storace sounds amazing and the band is hitting on all cylinders.  It is  a raucous good time and they are just killing it.

IMG_0918

I also like the fact it is a promotional copy.  It says it on the vinyl labels as well as the little stamp on the back of the album jacket.  All-in-all, I love it and it is a great addition to the collection and another Krokus album is always a good thing (almost always as they didn’t always get it right, but around this time they did).

img_0916.jpg

I hope you enjoyed this look at the 12″ Single and maybe I will have some more coming down the pipeline for you to check out.

Ratt – ‘Dancing Undercover’ – Album Review

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic22 Comments

Next up in the Ratt album review series is their 3rd studio album, the 1986 album ‘Dancing Undercover’.  The entire band was still in tact and even producer Beau Hill returned for his third album.  The band still consisted of the following:

  • Stephen Pearcy – vocals
  • Robin Crosby – lead guitar
  • Warren DeMartini – lead guitar
  • Juan Croucier – bass
  • Bobby Blotzer – drums

Even though it was the same crew, things were different.  The band decided that they didn’t need a beautiful woman on the cover and opted for pictures of the band members themselves.

IMG_0909

Continue reading “Ratt – ‘Dancing Undercover’ – Album Review” →

My Sunday Song – “Love Is On the Way” by Saigon Kick

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic5 Comments

For My Sunday Song #93 we are keeping the power ballad streak alive.  I bring you the song “Love Is On The Way” by Saigon Kick.  The song was off their 1992 album ‘The Lizard’ and garnered the band their one and only hit which reached #12 on the Billboard Hot 100.  I guess you could say they were a One-Hit Wonder.

The song wasn’t even really a single.  A couple radio stations in Florida picked it up and the song started to gain some traction.  Before they knew it, they had a huge hit on their hand.  I love to see songs that become popular through word-of-mouth and not being driving down your throat by the record company.

The song seems to be about the here & now.  Two people together at this point in time and going for it, living in the moment before it disappears.  At least that is what I get from the lyrics.  The song is done as purely an acoustic song.  The only drums are the tympani drums and not a full drum kit.  It is very simple in it’s content, but it is able to pull you in and you got lost in the song.  Matt Kramer’s vocals are the power behind the song along with Jason Bieler’s guitar strumming.  It was all magical.

Love_Is_on_the_Way

Continue reading “My Sunday Song – “Love Is On the Way” by Saigon Kick” →

Friday New Releases – May 25th

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic11 Comments

Welcome to the last Friday of May.  Work is really busy right now and I need something to take my mind off of it.  Thank goodness it is Memorial Day Weekend and we get Monday off.  I need it.  There are several releases I will be checking out this weekend and they are highlighted in Blue.  Let me know what you will be getting or whatever might peak your interest.  Have a great weekend!!

  • 81OQuFJNNRL._SX522_  Shawn Mendes – Shawn Mendes – (Island Records):  Shawn Mendes will be played constantly in my house this weekend and for weeks to come as I have two daughters who love him, one daughter a little too much…I swear a restraining order is in her future.  Anyway, I have heard a couple songs and I have to say that “In My Blood” is a rather spectacular song.  If there are any more like this one on the album, it will probably be great.

  • 51vKyvrz9LL._AC_US320_QL65_.jpg  Hoobastank – Push Pull – (Napalm Records):  Here is a name I haven’t heard in years.  Six years to be exact.  It has been that long since their last album and honestly I haven’t followed them in quite a long time.  No better time then the present to revisit the band.  Haven’t heard anything yet so it will be interesting to see what they still have to offer.

Continue reading “Friday New Releases – May 25th” →

The Original Vs. The Cover – “American Woman”

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic17 Comments

For this month’s version of The Original Vs. The Cover we tackle “American Woman” by The Guess Who vs Lenny Kravitz’s version.  The song was originally released in 1969 by Canadian band The Guess Who.  The song went to #1 and became such a popular song in the U.S. mainly because of it’s title.

That is strange because the song is not Pro-American, but it isn’t really Anti-American either.  It is a small part Anti-War song (one line says “I don’t need your war machine”) and large part bashing of American women.  Bashing is harsh, it was more like American women were too much for lyricist Burton Cummings.  Here is what he said about the song to the Toronto Star back in 2014…

“It had nothing to do with politics. What was on my mind was that girls in the States seemed to get older quicker than our girls and that made them, well, dangerous. When I said ‘American woman, stay away from me,’ I really meant ‘Canadian woman, I prefer you.’ It was all a happy accident.”

The article goes on to describe how the song developed and it seems like it was by pure chance…

Continue reading “The Original Vs. The Cover – “American Woman”” →

RSO (Richie Sambora & Orianthi) – ‘Radio Free America’ – Album Review

Published on by 2loud2oldmusic12 Comments

Back in 2013, Richie Sambora met Orianthi and sparks flew, apparently.  The two are an item and now they are putting out music for the masses and it is about time. I love Richie’s vocals and his bluesy, rock style plus he can play the guitar (have you heard of Bon Jovi?).  Orianthi is also one helluva a guitar player herself and she can sing with the best of them.  She has played for Michael Jackson and for Alice Cooper as well as her own solo work.  The two together, I was expecting a bluesy rock album with some amazing guitar work.  Did I get that…well…we will see.

After releasing two E.P.’s in 2017 and a couple singles including one double single, we finally get a full album called ‘Radio Free America’ from RSO (it’s there initials, get it!).  Now here is the problem with that…the full album is all 13 songs previously released with those E.P.’s and singles and only 2 new songs.  That is right, only 2 and one is a cover.  So, if you bought the E.P.’s, you aren’t getting much more.  And to make it worse, it is an album of 15 songs in length (over an hour and 7 minutes).  That is pretty long for an album and you know there will be filler…and trust me there is filler.  I heard they recorded 25 songs, I would like to know where those other 10 songs are.

I have reviewed all the E.P.’s and 2 of the singles previously, but we will compile them here again and make it a full length review adding in the singles I haven’t discussed prior.  We might as well jump in and away we go…

With the opening and title track “Making History” Richie & Orianthi are doing what we wanted them to do.  They are rocking out.  The guitars on this one are exceptional with an almost Def Leppardesque sound from around the “Euphoria” era at times (maybe).  The guitar solo is freaking sensational and it is all I ask from these two.  Of course I have one minor negative on the song.  The vocals are missing something whether it is the chemistry or the mix.  Bob Rock is the producer and he does great work, but I am not a fan of them singing simultaneously.  I prefer them to trade back and forth.

Continue reading “RSO (Richie Sambora & Orianthi) – ‘Radio Free America’ – Album Review” →