Great Metal Albums of 1982: Y&T- Black Tiger

They say you learn something new everyday and the other day I did. My first experience of Y&T was in 1983 when I saw and heard their video for “Mean Streak” on MTV. I liked the band and I liked the song and that was the start of my experience with them. Now last week I stated that there was a song on the Riot “Restless Breed” album that sounded a little like Y&T. I assumed that since Riot had been around since the 1970s, that Y&T must have drawn influence from them. As I now dig deeper into the band’s history, (not only the album but the band too passed me by in 1982), I have discovered that Y&T’s first album actually came out in 1976, the year before Riot’s first album. So maybe it was the other way around but that doesn’t matter. It was a good song and the 1982 “Black Tiger” album is a good album.

If you heard the 1985 single “Summertime Girls” and think that was Y&T, forget about it. “Black Tiger” is a true metal album. I like the introductory first track “From the Moon.” It is an instrumental with some flashy guitar work that simply draws you into the rest of the album. “Open Fire” is a rip roaring track that holds you interest and Y&T puts their personal stamp on this one. I love the guitar solo on “Don’t Wanna Lose,” Dave Meniketti does smoke the finger board on that one. After your ears get bashed around a bit by the next few tracks, which the track “Forever” stands out the most. This is one of those catchy anthem type songs that you can sing along with. It also opens with a gutsy guitar intro before going almost thrash, wow was all I could say.  Things take a more boogie rock approach with “Barroom Boogie.” This in an enjoyable song and one I would put down as a good drinking tune. Unfortunately, the next song, “My Way or the Highway” is the weakest link here. It has some good moments but seems to let itself down in some places. However, things go out very nicely with the near ballad, “Winds of Change,” a really good song. So with “Black Tiger,” I have found another band where I must go back and listen to some of the early stuff.

Track Listing:

1. From the Moon
2. Open Fire
3. Don’t Wanna Lose
4. Hell or High Water
5. Forever
6. Black Tiger
7. Barroom Boogie
8. My Way or the Highway
9. Winds of Change

                                            Y&T

Dave Meniketti- lead guitar, lead vocals

Phil Kennemore- bass, vocals

Joey Alves- guitar

Leonard Haze- drums, percussion

The price I paid for serving my country back in 1982 was that I missed a lot of great albums and some great bands. With Y&T and “Black Tiger,” I missed both at the same time.

Next post: Iron Maiden- Number of the Beast

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