Metal Mind
1986/2008 Re-issue
After “First Visit” this band did a U.S. tour to support the album, but they didn’t make the impression they were hoping for. They returned to the UK and put out an EP called “Belfast”. Then following some shifting of drummers they put together their second LP “Animal Man”. They may have looked like a cross between the cast of “Cats” and extras from a Mad Max film, but their debut had proven they could put forth a solid release. So I don’t know what exactly happened here, but this is a rather confused sounding album. “First Visit” had a very cohesive sound and a definite, if slightly dated musical direction. This album not only fails to pick up on that direction, but it also doesn’t seem to follow any real apparent direction that I could comprehend. There are several tracks that sound like they would have been very comfortable on the debut. However, there are also songs where the music lacks not just power, but also much of any identity. Several tracks rely on a more processed drum sound and the guitars are pushed into the background far more than they needed to be. The vocals also suffer as a few songs hear some kind of pop approach that just sounds completely misguided because they are not even focused enough to work as pop music. If this band wanted to change their style then they needed to go at it with confidence and do it completely. Instead this album is such a mixed bag that it reminds me more of an album of outtakes and previously unreleased material. I don’t know if the band were upset by the lack of success at this point, if outside hands messed with their style or if their numerous line-up changes had finally taken their toll. Whatever the reason this album suffered and I guess that Rogue Male suffered as well because they broke not too long after this album. Metal Mind’s re-issue includes a bonus track and the booklet has lyrics and a band biography.
I've been loving Metal Minds re-issues! I've been picking up all kinds of gems.
ReplyDeleteSomething for you to bumble over Mr Bumble Rogue Male's music obviously went way over your bumble box. I was part of their road crew when they toured USA, a nicer bunch of guys you'd ever meet, Jim Lyttle was a real dude, he insisted that the road crew used their tour bus together with the other two bands who supported them, Illusion and Savatage, who were in minivans. These guys were there to support Motley Crue but the Crue shit themselves when they heard Rogue Male and refused to take them on tour. So Elektra hurriedly set up an unplanned last minute tour with no promo and no plan at all, however Rogue Male stole the show and got rave reviews everywhere they played, not just in the US. Both albums were voted album of the month status in rock journals worldwide and they received an award for Top international New Artist 1986. Another point of interest Motorhead had no influence on this band whatsoever. To equate Lyttle's vocal talent with that of Lemmy is ludicrous, but then again its bumbles like you who do the bumblings. bmmm
ReplyDeleteanony-Thanks for dropping by and spewing out a bunch of crap about a mediocre album.
ReplyDeleteThere goes the expert bumbler bumbling again. Its people like you who have no clue about music and should stick to what your good at, bumbling through your ordinary life. By the way nice photo of you, try taking the bandages off those ears when you next listen to music, you've obviously got cloth ears ha ha!
ReplyDeleteAnony-Wow, you must be a real expert on music because you are a Rogue Male fan. Maybe when you grow up then you will actually learn to like some real music. Thanks for stopping by and increasing my hit count though.
ReplyDeleteDunno, I reckon that second album could have been great if you ignore the terrible production and the obvious lack of direction, I always put that down to the company demanding a followup to the genuinely good "First Visit", but not giving the band enough time to draw breath before it was slapped together. First Visit definitely has the edge though. I wonder if they will be playing any of the old stuff when they (allegedly) tour later in 2009? that track they put on "Classic Rock" magazine is raw but sounds a lot more like the first album that the second.
ReplyDeleteROGUE MALE is back !
ReplyDeleteJim LYTTLE engaged new members in 2008 and they recorded a new album called "Nail It" available on their site : http://www.rm2kmusic.com/.
Here is the myspace page run by Jim LYTTLE himself : www.myspace.com/roguemale1.
:)