Tora Tora-Wild America, 1992

Normally I don't like to review cd's that are no longer in print, but I will make an exception for this one. I got my copy of Wild America for $4.00 used like two years ago at the record store and I think you can get it for around that used at Amazon or eBay if you look for a while. This was Tora Tora's follow-up album to their fine debut "Surprise Attack". This Memphis based band sounded a little like Tesla, but they rocked a bit more an had even more of a groove to their sound. I remember "Amnesia" and "Faith Healer" actually getting some airplay on the local radio station back then. These guys were surprisingly smooth here considering it's just their second album. They crank out solid blues flavored hard rock like they have been at it for a long time. Unfortunately it was the summer of 1992 and grunge was continuing to take over while commercial metal like this was being shoved aside. It may have helped if they could have gotten a major opening, but that didn't happen. Instead they were out touring clubs as a headliner. I saw them in August of '92 in a club with no AC and very little ventilation and it was packed. I almost blacked out about halfway through their set, but I didn't want to have to leave and miss them. So I stood near the doorway so I could get some air and enjoyed the rest of a great set. Both of their albums are really fine, but I prefer this one as they seem a little more confident in what they are doing.