Damn Yankees, 1990

Released back in early 1990 this band was comprised of Jack Blades (Night Ranger), Tommy Shaw (Styx), Ted Nugent (his own band) and previously unknown Michael Cartelone. This was a big production, slick hard rock album with lots of sing along type choruses and it came out at the right time because it hit and found an audience. It's heavier than Night Ranger and Styx, but lighter than most of the Nuge's prime stuff. That last line might explain why it took me a while to take to it. I was never big on Night Ranger and I thought Styx were okay, but I loved the Nuge's music from say 75-80. However, if you love the Nuge then you don't get a whole lot his craziness and his killer guitar playing. He had to fit into being a team member I guess. I heard this album this once or twice in 1990 and just bought it maybe five years ago on CD when I found it in the bargain bin. The production values are very high and it's well organized, but predictable. It's easily far better than a lot of other hard rock coming out at the time. The guitars are good overall, but a little restrained. The vocals are a big plus as both lead and backing are strong. It dates itself as being from 1990 yet there is no doubt that Jack Blades has a strong voice and sounds good throughout the album. I think that I enjoy more than I did in 1990, but it still a bit generic and I just wished they took more chances and rocked a little more at times. I will probably reach for it on occasion, but not all that often.

**Tomorrow Supergroup week continues with a review of Desperado's Ace.