Quiet Riot

Hollywood Cowboys

Album review by; Myk

 

Formed way back in 1973 and originally known for supplying guitar phenomenon Randy Rhoads to Ozzy Osbourne’s solo band. They then had a monster album in the form of Metal Health in 1983. Line-up changes and issues with the abrasive singer Kevin DuBrow before his unfortunate death in 2007 saw their fortunes decline and the band split on several occasions.

Now back with Jizzy Pearl on vocals I was interested to hear what they had to offer. First impression was that the sound was dated, however on subsequent listens I realised that if anything this is a sound that has come back into fashion on the back of what is known as NWOCR, leaning towards 80s hair metal.

 

So does the album hit the mark, well ultimately yes, it’s certainly not all killer but generally this is a very listenable album. Don’t Call It Love has some great harmonies, In The Blood give more of the same. Heartbreak City and The Devil That You Know adding variety so you’re not stuck with a formulaic approach.

 

Change Or Die emphasises what I think is a terrific mix, with the drums and vocals very clear, not obscured by over distorted guitars. Then we get an absolute gem in Roll On as they delve into blues territory with great success.

 

Insanity possibly overdoes the guitar screeches and squeals but just about gets away with it. Then comes the first dud, Hellbender, nothing particularly wrong with it other than it comes across as an early 80s hair metal by numbers tune and is shown up by the quality evident throughout the rest of the album.

Wild Horses comes across as an album filler, pleasant enough but not spectacular, before Holding On threatens to launch us into a power ballad but instead settles down into a slower rocker.

 

The Last Outcast gives us another steady rock track before we finish with Arrows And Angels which comes across as another filler although I can’t help but sing along with the chorus, so definitely a bit of an earworm.

 

So nothing on this that I didn’t like just a few tracks that I was ready to skip on subsequent listening.

A very solid 7/10.