Great Metal Albums of 1982: Ted Nugent- Nugent

New Wave of British Heavy Metal or NWOBHM had clearly established its dominance around the world in 1982. However, thanks to bands like Riot and Y&T as well as others whose albums will be visited very soon, American metal wasn’t completely silent . Of all the American bands, the one artist who draped himself (and still does) in the American flag was Ted Nugent. In this year, the Motor City Madman put out a studio album and a live one. It is the studio album, “Nugent” that is being visited today.

Another reason why I’ve decided to visit the studio album first was that because of my military obligations, it was another album that passed me by in that year. Yet again, it’s another album I regret missing in 1982. “Nugent” has all the classic trademarks of the things that made Ted Nugent great. Most noteworthy, as is always the case with Ted, is the fact that he can wail on a guitar. His solos are present on each and every song, though the stand out for me is “Good and Ready.” “No, No, No” also comes to mind in this respect.

Apart from his exemplary guitar work, he does write some good songs. It is true that “Bound and Gagged” may be the first inclination of Ted’s feelings of fanatical American patriotism and right wing politics but I know I wouldn’t have noticed or cared back then. It’s still a cool song. That’s one problem with listening to the song with, in this case, the curse of hindsight. I also found myself wanting to sing along to “Fightin’ Words.” “Ebony” might be classed as his attempt at a single but I never heard it on the radio, not that you ever heard much of his material there to begin with. Nevertheless, it’s a decent song.

“Don’t Push Me” is short and to the point and definitely one I would have used to blast out the car window while driving. Note to self, maybe I should make my own CD of driving songs. Anyway back on the subject. The way he lays down the guitar jam while the band is repeating the title works for me in so many ways. If there was one thing I would change on “Nugent” it would be the order of the last two songs. “Tailgunner” is a good song but I thought the one before it “We’re Gonna Rock Tonight” would have been a better closer. It’s just that the lyrics and overall vibe of the song make it a great song to end the album on but that’s just me.

Track Listing:

1. No, No, No
2. Bound and Gagged
3. Habitual Offender
4. Fightin’ Words
5. Good and Ready
6. Ebony
7. Don’t Push Me
8. Can’t Stop Me Now
9. We’re Gonna Rock Tonight
10. Tailgunner

  Ted Nugent

Ted Nugent- lead vocals, lead guitars

Derek St. Holmes- guitar, vocals

Dave Kiswiney- bass, vocals

Carmine Appice- drums, vocals

Larry Brown- percussion

Donnie Backus- piano

Ted Nugent let the world know in 1982 that there was still plenty of good metal in America with his two albums. “Nugent” was one of those and proved that he could still rock with the best of them.

Next post: Manowar- Battle Hyms

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