Atlantic
1984
Here was a bar band who had been battling it out in New York clubs for years before getting signed to tiny Secrect records. Unfortunately they only released one album before the label folded. Yet just when they thought it might be over they got a deal with Atlantic records. Their 1983 album "You can't stop rock n' roll" gathered some interest and by 1984 they were primed to explode. With the help of Mtv and radio play, these guys would be on the verge or becoming huge by the end of 1984. It still seems odd that so many of us accepted these guys dressed in bright rags and wearing heavy make-up, but we did. Their talent level wasn't high and the writing was far from groundbreaking yet this album certainly had an impact on me. I remember scrawling TS symbols on all my book covers back in 84-85 and playing this cassette to death. I think this album benefited from the enthusiasm of the band and largely Dee Snider. The two big singles "We're not gonna take it' and "I wanna rock" were played to death, but I still enjoy them. Both were so basic yet that's the level they were appealing too. Kids like good, simple in your face rock songs now and then and these songs filled that gap. The title track is similar in approach, but not quite as accessible to the masses. "Burn in hell" was shocking to me when I was 14 and although the shock is long gone now, it's still a different song that works. Horror-Teria is a two part song that contains the somewhat creepy "Captain Howdy" and the more straight forward "Street Justice". "Don't let me down" would be my choice for most underrated track on the album as it plunges ahead and Dee's vocals are full of fire. "The Price" is an example of a good 80's ballad. It has the necessary emotion, but avoids being too sappy. "The Beast" is the one track that I have never really gotten into. "S.M.F" is one of those tracks that still gets me fired up every time it comes on. It's surprising how well this album has aged, but then again I always held it in high regard.
The fact that so may people could get past those stupid costumes says a lot. I still like this album even if I no longer dream of sending my dad flying through a window with my guitar!
ReplyDeleteYeah funny, TS makeup never deterred from their music. Great album this.
ReplyDeleteMy tape eventually got caught in my friends Firebird after over use. I had the "TS" on my books too.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was younger, I would get freaked out my satanic stuff in music, lol. We really thought that all of these bands were devil worshipers! That didn't stop us from listening to it though. We loved that kind of stuff. Looking back, it seems so cheesy. Remember when Motley Crue put out Shout at the Devil with the big pentagram on the cover? I wish that I had my original vinyl of that album. It's probably rare and worth money.
ReplyDeleteBut I digress. Stay Hungry was the sh#t.
They were so over the top that you barely even noticed or cared about there make-up. Their music pumped me up, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteBob-You have to have something going for you to be a guy and get away with wearing pink in hard rock or heavy metal.
ReplyDeleteAndre-I certainly agree.
Mike-I wore out two copies of this on tape, but I have it on cd and vinyl.
fredcq-I was in the same situation. My parents would and did freak over some of the music I listened to then including Twisted Sister, Motley Crue, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Ozzy.
Captain Corky-The thing with Twisted Sister was that even thought they had an image they didn't rely on just that image. They were ugly guys and proud of it so the image was way more cool rather a bunch of guys prancing around trying to look like pretty women.
And don't forget the cameo appearances from that dude from Animal House in their music videos.
ReplyDelete"Whatta wanna do with your life?"
I Wanna Rock!
Rock!!!!!!!!!
I like "The Price" for not being too sappy and "Horror-Teria" for being kind of edgy ... almost progressive (by TS standards). This album is deeper than the popular tracks would suggest!
ReplyDelete-- david
Phoenix-They certainly took advantag of doing videos as it was still pretty new at the time.
ReplyDeleteDavid-I agree. They are still one of my favorite bands that get lumped into the hair band pile.
I loved this album growing up and finally got it on CD a few years ago. You're right, it has held up well and I think that is in part to its simplicity. Great review. And check out "A Twisted Christmas" it's great fun!
ReplyDeleteDee Snyder has balls and the makeup didn't hide that fact.
ReplyDelete