It has been often suggested that the best way to introduce yourself to a band whose discography you want to check out but not sure where to start is that you go to one of their compilation albums first, whether that be a greatest hits or live album. This way, you get an idea of some of their best recordings and that will help you decide if you want to explore the band more. Sound advice I’d say except that in regards to Helix, I didn’t do it that way.
I’ve been exploring Helix more throughout the tour of the 1980s, one album at a time. Therefore, most of the songs on here, I had already listened to on the albums they originated from. So for me, it’s a bonus seeing all the songs I’ve liked from the albums on this compilation album, “Over 60 Minutes With.” Great songs like “Deep Cuts the Knife” off “Long Way to Heaven” and “Animal House” from “Walkin’ the Razor’s Edge” are great to hear on the same album as are all of the other cuts that appear here. Of course, the album closes with their best known song, “Rock You.” So all in all, if I had been completely ignorant of Helix and wanted to check them out and went to this compilation album, I would be completely satisfied with what I had just heard and would want to explore their albums more.
With all of that said, there is one point I find rather perplexing. There are no tracks from the 1987 album, “Wild in the Streets” on this compilation. Now, I know it was a bit of a commercial flop for Helix because like I said when I wrote about the album, they were thinking commercially and tried to be all things to all people and failed as a result. Still, to not include a single track from the album is a bit much. Especially as I really love the song, “High Voltage Kicks,” from that album. “Give’em Hell” could have also been included here. In any case, twenty-one songs in just over 72 minutes is enough great Helix metal to keep you going.
Track Listing:
No Rest for the Wicked
Check Out the Love
Dirty Dog
Give it To You
Young and Restless
Deep Cuts the Knife
Animal House
You Keep Me Rockin’
Never Want to Lose You
Does a Fool Ever Learn
Jaws of the Tiger
White Lace, Black Leather
Long Way to Heaven
Without You (Jasmine’s Song)
Everybody Pays the Price
Heavy Metal Love
Gimme Gimme Some Good Lovin’
When the Hammer Falls
The Kids Are All Shakin’
(Make Me Do) Anything You Want
Rock You
Helix and their friends
Brian Vollmer- lead vocals
Brent ‘The Doctor’ Doerner- guitars
Paul Hackman- guitars
George ‘Fritz’ Hinz- drums
Daryl Gray- bass
Mike Uzelac- bass
And because “High Voltage Kicks” isn’t on the album and I like the song so much, I thought I’d share it here.
No argument here, “Over 60 Minutes With” is a great way to introduce oneself to Helix if one is completely or even slightly unfamiliar with them. This has all their great songs and shows why Helix are another underappreciated Canadian band.
Next post: Great White- Twice Shy
To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com
After reviewing a Canadian artist who didn’t get the accolades he so truly deserved, I thought it right to review one who totally did get those just accolades. Yes, I’m talking about Rush, who, back in the 1980s and beyond, were known around the world. I personally know a good number of Rush fans here in the UK.
In 1989, Rush treated the world to a live album in the form of “A Show of Hands” and I’ll say right off the bat that it’s another reason for me to lament never seeing them live. True, the album focuses on their 1980s material and what a lot of persons out there often refer to as they “synth period,” but this doesn’t stop it from being a great live album.
Looking at the track listing, I should have been slightly disappointed at the absence of “Tom Sawyer” or any of their songs on the first side of the “Moving Pictures” album and some of their more harder rock songs. It could be said that Rush took a gamble of not having any of their material before 1977 but they pull it off. On the subject of “Moving Pictures,” the song from that album which appears here is the hidden gem, “Witch Hunt.” Therefore, that makes me happy.
What I find very amusing about this album is how they opened their show with “The Three Stooges” theme. For those not familiar, this particular theme was when Joe was one of the stooges as my favourite (and most people’s) stooge, Curly, had passed away a few years earlier. It’s my strange mind at work again here. But for the rest of the album, you get a good catalogue of their 1980s output and it all sounds good. You get both hits like “Distant Early Warning” and “The Manhattan Project” and the only pre-80s song, “Closer to the Heart,” which is definitely a favourite of mine and many more. Furthermore, you get some deep cuts like the mentioned hidden gem, “Marathon” and “Turn the Page.” In addition, you get “The Rhythm Method,” which sounds to me like a complete drum solo from Neil. Again, this will be the closest I will come to seeing Rush live and Neil doing what he did best on the drums.
I don’t know what more I can say about this phenomenal live album. It totally surprised me as it sounded so good despite some of my favourite Rush songs not being included. I hold this album up as a counter against those who rail on their 1980s material. They should have heard this songs live because this album makes them all come alive.
Track Listing:
Intro (A Show of Hands)
Big Money
Subdivisions
Marathon
Turn the Page
Manhattan Project
Mission
Distant Early Warning
Mystic Rhythms
Witch Hunt
Rhythm Method
Force Ten
Time Stand Still
Red Sector A
Closer to the Heart
Rush
Geddy Lee- bass, synthesizers, lead vocals
Alex Liefson- guitars, backing vocals
Neil Peart- drums, percussion
In 1989, Rush was the band many people here in the UK associated with Canada. Bryan Adams wouldn’t make his mark for a few more years. However, in Rush’s case, with albums like this live one, I can certainly see why.
Next post: Belinda Carlisle- Runaway Horses
To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com
One conclusion I have come to since writing this blog is that Canadian artists don’t get the respect they so richly deserve. Take Kim Mitchell. True, he had some airplay in the US with hits such as “Go For Soda” and “Patio Lanterns” and I guess that the track, “Rocklandwonderland,” got some airplay there to as it was the ninth most played song in its native country. Unfortunately, I was living in the UK and the song never made it across the Atlantic. Therefore, I missed out on another great song and album back then.
Take the already mentioned track. “Rocklandwonderland” opens the album and I absolutely love the bassline laid down by Matthew Gerrard as well as Kim’s little guitar hooks. To me, it sounds a little like Mr. Mister with a great little guitar, which is in no way a criticism by the way. It’s just a good song which might have done well in the UK if anyone bothered to market it over here.
The first half of “Rockland,” jumps back in forth between rock song and ballad. The ballad, “Lost Lovers Found” succeeds the opener and this too could have been a single. It has a catchy vibe a good ballad should have and Kim does play a good guitar solo on it. Then we get some rocking with “Rock and Roll Duty” which was the second most played song in Canada in said year. I mean this song really cooks and if I had heard it back then, I would have said, “Wake up America and Britain.” This is a pure rocker and Kim once again really wails on his guitar, especially at the end.
“Rockland” goes back to ballad territory with “Tangle of Love.” This is typical 80s ballad stuff but its done very well. I like Kim’s little spoken piece at the beginning of the song. If I had access to this back then and I wasn’t already married of course, I might have used this one in an attempt to obtain paradise by the dashboard light. The song sets a very romantic mood with Kim’s little guitar hooks and solo and although it’s not listed in the credits, I’m sure I hear a little sax solo. Then, in keeping with the first half of the album, things go a bit harder with “Moodstreet.” We get another cool bassline from Matthew and more little guitar hooks from Kim similar to the opener. If listening on vinyl or cassette, then this one was a great way to end the first half of the album.
We don’t get a ballad on “The Crossroads.” I won’t call it a rocker, more 80s pop rock. I get the impression that Kim might have been going for commercial playability with the album and this one sounds like it would have been fit for American radio. More credit should go to Matthew for his bassline on this and a number of other songs on “Rockland.” However, we do get more of a ballad with “Expedition Sailor.” Rik Emmett of Triumph lends his hand on the acoustic guitar. It’s not a romantic ballad, much more a story telling one. I think it tells the story of a sailor who is out searching for a much better world. A nice little guitar solo from Kim adds to the mood.
It’s track eight where I find the hidden gem on the album in “Oh Mercy Louise.” Here, Kim lets his hair down and just goes and rocks out. I like what Kim does on the song and the little augmentation from the keyboards and yes again, Matthew’s bassline but it’s Kim on the guitar which really shines here. Penultimate track, “This Dream” carries on the rock and though I don’t hold it in as high esteem as its predecessor, it’s still a great rocking track with more great guitar work from you know who. Kim closes his album with the hard rock sounding “The Great Embrace.” It is a great rocking way to take the album home as Kim goes all out on it.
Track Listing:
Rocklandwonderland
Lost Lovers Found
Rock and Roll Duty
Tangle of Love
Moodstreet
The Crossroads
Expedition Sailor
Oh Mercy Louise
This Dream
The Great Embrace
Kim Mitchell- lead guitar, lead vocals
Greg Wells- keyboards, backing vocals
Matthew Gerrard- bass
Kim Bullard- keyboards
Lou Molino- drums
Peter Fredette, Floyd Bell- backing vocals
Rik Emmett- acoustic guitar (track 7)
Sheree Jeacocke- backing vocals (track 5)
While I don’t in any way regret my life situation back in 1989 nor living in the UK, it is a shame that a damn fine album such as “Rockland” passed me by. Trust me, in a post set sometime in the distant future, Kim and other Canadian artists will get the recognition they deserve.
Next post: Rush- A Show of Hands
To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com
Honestly, it wasn’t my intention to kick off 1989 with three great female vocalists. First, there was the underrated Carol Decker of T’Pau fame. followed on by the legendary late Tina Turner. Now, we move to Canada where the spotlight shines on Alannah Myles. This brings me to another point. If it hadn’t been for reader, Damien McKee, I would have posted Alannah in the one hit wonders section of the 1989 tour. After all, she is best known for her monster hit, “Black Velvet,” which is still well known today, I have it on a couple of compilation CDs. Therefore, I must thank Damien for pointing me to her fantastic debut album.
Now I must hang my head in shame to my Canadian contingent. For years, as a result of “Black Velvet,” I thought Alannah was from the American South. The song has a Southern Rock boogie vibe and I can say the same for the track “Love Is” and the swamp music sounding closer, “Hurry Make Love.” So, I hope I can be forgiven for thinking she was a product of the South and not Canadian. Then again, I can always play the ‘good music has no borders’ card.
If I had paid more attention, any attention actually, I would have waited to the rock/metal phase of the 1989 tour to post about this album. Because many of the other songs, starting with the opener, really cook here. Some are bordering on heavy metal, like the opener. Then there’s the hidden gem on the album. “Rock This Place” punches you in the face with the power chords but has a really cool swagger to go with it as well and a cool guitar solo. In addition, and this is my weird mind at play, but the opening drums sound very similar to my favourite KISS song, “I Love It Loud.” It ticks all the boxes for me.
Alannah isn’t afraid to sing a ballad and she does a marvelous job on “Lover of Mine.” It’s a ballad in the true sense and her vocals are perfect for it. Penultimate track, “Who Loves You,” starts as if it’s going to be another ballad but not long into the song, things go very up-tempo and the ballad becomes a very cool power ballad. There can be no argument against the versatility of her voice.
If a gun was put to my head and I had to choose the most metal song on the album, then it would have to be “Kick Start My Heart.” I could put this one on a metal compilation and very few would debate me on the metal quality of the song. The power chords and the guitar solo back up the vocals in perfect metal harmony. While they might not be quite as metal sounding, the tracks “If You Want To” and “Just One Kiss,” make good additions to the album. I really do like the bassline on the former.
Thanks go out to Damien for pointing me to this album. In the future, if anyone calls Alannah Myles a one hit wonder, I’m going to point them to this album.
Next post: Pandora’s Box- Original Sin
To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com
Before I post about this really unusual but cool album, I will tell you how I learned a lesson about procrastination. I was thinking about going to Bloodstock for the Sunday this year as Megadeath, Helloween, Sepultura and Ugly Kid Joe were top of the bill. However, because I was hoping not to go on my own and hoping someone would accompany me and making provision for Mrs. 80smetalman as I would be gone all day, I didn’t get the tickets straight away. Checking my emails the other night, I discovered that all Sunday Day Tickets have been sold out. So, I won’t be going this year, that will teach me to procrastinate.
After hearing the album, “Here Today, Guano Tomorrow,” I have officially declared the Dayglo Abortions to be the best Canadian artist not to have cracked Britain. If I hadn’t already been living in the UK at the time, this album would not have passed me by. With this album, they took a different approach from their debut “Feed Us a Fetus” album from two years prior. Instead of 24 songs in less than 40 minutes, the album consists of nine songs in 34 minutes. However, the change doesn’t in any way detract from the band’s playing style or the controversial song lyrics. After all, the first two tracks have “Fuck” in the title.
On the first of those tracks, the Dayglos send out a reminder of their previous album by including “Arrrgh,” “Fuck” and “Kill” in the lyrics. It’s a great hardcore punk jam. However, they do slow it down with the second track. At first, I thought it was going to be an anti- religion song with a title like, “Fuck Satan to Death” but it appears not. Some great guitar work in the song though.
Near thrash metal rears its head on “Dragons.” This could have easily been a Suicidal Tendencies song but the Dayglo Abortions stamp their authority on it. It also starts a series of similar sounding songs, although each are unique. No guesses on what “Hide the Hamster” is about but the thrash speed makes it that much more enjoyable. They do go a little quasi-progressive on “The Spawn of Yog Sothoth” but go back to their punk roots on “Shred.” It has the best guitar solo on the album and it could be the first skateboard song.
What has gone before sets things up for the two best tracks on the album, “Drugged and Driving” and the title track. I plead the fifth amendment as to whether the former song actually applied to me back then. However, it would be the song of choice if I was ever to drive in that state, which I won’t. Besides, the speed of the song would definitely keep me awake at the wheel, it has a headbanging metal feel. It’s the title cut that takes a dig at TV evangelists. There is a remark about Tammy Faye Baker and all her make up. As for the closer, good song but I don’t know who Johnny Stiff is and why anyone wants to kill him.
Track Listing:
Fuck, My Shit Stinks
Fuck Satan to Death
Dragon
Hide the Hamster
The Spawn of Yog Sothoth
Shred
Drugged and Driving
Here Today Guano Tomorrow
Kill Johnny Stiff
Dayglo Abortions
Spud- bass, vocals
Cretin- guitar, vocals
Nev (The Impaler)- guitar, vocals
Mike Anus- guitar, backing vocals
Jesus Bonehead- drums, backing vocals
Hopefully, at least my British readers, will now agree with me that the Dayglo Abortions are the best Canadian band not to have cracked Britain. This album and the previous album are strong testimonies to my assertion.
Next post: Acid Reign- Moshkinstein
To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com
Credit Mike Ladano with the save. If he hadn’t written a recent post on Sword and mentioned the album, “Sweet Dreams,” I would have gone through the entire tour of 1988 without posting about the album. However, it is strange that I hadn’t heard of the album back then. They were already known in the UK for their “Metalized” album two years prior, so I don’t know why this album failed to make a dent anywhere, except possibly in Canada.
Now I promised myself that I wouldn’t make comparisons to this album and “Metalized” but there is one similarity to note. First, different songs can be attributed to different subgenres of heavy metal. The first two tracks are definitely power metal. “Land of the Brave” sounds very Viking metal to me and it is a fun tune with the falsetto vocals of Rick Hughes. It is the second best song on the album. The top spot goes to the more melodic metal penultimate track, “Life On the Sharp Edge.” The chorus is mind blowing and the guitar solo really rips.
One good thing is that Wikipedia doesn’t comment much on the album. It only says that it’s Sword’s second album. Without such outside influence, I was able to completely make up my own mind about “Sweet Dreams.” My verdict is plain and simple, it’s just a great metal album which isn’t afraid to branch out into territories which are now inserted into sub-genres of metal. “Back Off” is the fastest song on the album and they come they close to playing thrash. However, there is a very intriguing guitar solo from Mike Plant on it. The again, “Prepare to Die” is even more closer to thrash.
Reading my post on “Metalized,” after a couple of years, I sang the praises of bassist Mike Larock in the post. I still think he should be mentioned in the same breath as other great bassists but his basslines aren’t so prominent on this album, at least to my ears. But he and Dan Hughes make a great rhythm section. Oh yes, if you want a song that captures all the genres at once, then “Caught in the Act” is the song to go to there.
Track Listing:
Sweet Dreams
Trouble Is
Land of the Brave
Back Off
Prepare to Die
Caught in the Act
Until Death Do Us Part
The Threat
Life on the Sharp Edge
State of Shock
Sword
Rick Hughes- vocals, keyboards
Mike Plant- guitar, keyboards
Mike Larock- bass
Dan Hughes- drums
Is “Sweet Dreams” yet another album which came and went and didn’t get the notice it deserved? For me, the answer to that question is a definite yes.
Next post: D.A.D Disneyland After Dark- Special
To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com
Not sure if “Pound for Pound” was one of the albums mentioned by Lipps when he talks about unknown Anvil albums in the “Story of Anvil” documentary, but I’m sure it was one of those included in that list. It did come and go without much notice, including mine. However, I did give the album some listens and it is definitely worthy of being included on 80smetalman’s Blog.
It seems that on “Pound for Pound,” Anvil were going for a more heavier than their normal sound. In some places, they go near thrash but what I really like about the album is the theme of some of the tracks. Take the opener, “Blood on the Ice.” This isn’t as sinister as the title might suggest, it’s about fights in ice hockey. Being a big hockey fan and a big fan of the Philadelphia Flyers starting in the days when they were known as the Broad Street Bullies, this track holds a special place for me. It reminds me of Flyers hero from back then, Dave ‘The Hammer’ Schultz.
And of course, Family Guy gets in on the act.
Like what many other metal bands did back in 1988, Anvil has a song ripping on TV Evangelists. Their offering is called “Corporate Preacher” and it is spot on in what they sing about evangelists and it’s done to a very hard metal vibe. Innuendo a plenty is found in “Toe Jam,” which is a very fast, almost thrash metal jam. Lipps wails on the guitar on this one and does not slow down on “Safe Sex.” On both of these tracks, he silences any doubts about his guitar playing ability, although I never had any and “Safe Sex” is about what the title suggests.
I think we can all appreciate the sentiment behind “Where Does All the Money Go?” My biggest moan is that every time I think I might be getting ahead, some surprise bill comes along. We can all identify with that. While not thrash, it’s done to a very catchy hard rocking vibe. Maybe this is a good song to help you forget financial troubles and just enjoy the rock out, especially with that guitar solo.
The next three tracks all go by pretty fast but that’s not a bad thing. Some very cool riffs start “Brain Burn.” I think it’s about a nagging partner and the power chords and swirling solos continue through the next two songs. They do set up things for the penultimate track, “Fire in the Night.” Being longest song at over six minutes, one might think Anvil were going for a more progressive metal way to end the album. Even more so with the intro and opening guitar solo. While not as fast as many of the other songs, it’s still a cool mid tempo metal tune going in a more traditional Anvil way. It would have made a great closer had not they decided to add the very amusing twelve second long “Cramps” at the very end.
Track Listing:
Blood on the Ice
Corporate Preacher
Toe Jam
Safe Sex
Where Does All the Money Go?
Brain Burn
Senile King
Machine Gun
Fire in the Night
Cramps
Anvil
Steve ‘Lipps’ Kudlow- vocals, lead guitar
Dave Allison- rhythm guitar
Ian Dickson- bass
Robb Reiner- drums
Is “Pound for Pound” a hidden gem among forgotten Anvil albums? Well, after listening to it, I think it’s a strong contender.
Next post: Vixen
To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com
“Big Deal” will forever go down in history as the album which cemented the Killer Dwarfs place as my favourite Canadian band. In fact, in an ancient post, “Big Deal” came in as my third favourite album overall! After all, what’s there not to like about this album? The band were definitely firing on all cylinders with this one and it was a major progression from the previous album, “Stand Tall,” and I really liked that one as well.
“Tell Me Please” starts things off and while I admit, there are some better album opening songs out there, this one does its job in setting the mood for the party which is to come. It not only held my interest but made me eager to hear more, which is what an opening track should do. Following that is the track which was considered to be the single from the album, “We Stand Alone.” For me, this was a unifying song for metalheads, letting the world know that we stand alone and if the world didn’t like it, then it’s their problem. I can also understand why the song was considered power pop by some. It’s not raw metal in the eyes of some metalheads but has a very melodic catchy vibe to it. However, I just enjoy the song and not get bogged down with semantics.
Right after the single comes the hidden gem, “Startin’ to Shine” This is more metal than the single but the melodic chorus is very catchy. I remember, the one and only time I saw them live, when they opened for Iron Maiden, they led off with this one. Should it have been the album opener? Maybe, but it’s fine just where it is as well. Things go even harder with the short but to the point with “Breakaway.” Mike Dwarf does some cool riffing on this one. Side one closes out with “Union of Pride” which could have been an album closer but it’s just as well placed closing out the first side. You get a great guitar solo from Mike and some cool drum fills from Darrell. I might as well say it now but every song is powered by the vocals of Russ. He definitely is the driving force behind the album.
Two songs start the second side with a mighty explosion. “Lifetime” is a cool metal song which for me dismisses the power pop label some have given to the band. I love that intro, Mike deserves greater recognition as a guitar player and we can’t forget the bass of Ron. Both are strong on this one. Then “Power” lives up to its name. It’s a fast paced tune indeed. I remember them playing this one when I saw them live and I could see the power they put into the song. “I’m Alive” might not have the furious power of the previous two songs but there is power in the song nonetheless. It’s more of a bluesy vibe but the power chords, vocals, rhythm section and guitar solo check all the boxes. It’s the second hidden gem on the album.
If you thought “Power” was a furious song, then you should definitely check out the penultimate “Burn It Down.” This is speed metal pace and the Dwarfs pull it off with considerable ease. This is one song for the mosh pit and the lyrics have me looking for a lighter. Oh not really but I wouldn’t be surprised if the PMRC said this song encouraged arson. Closer “Desperadoes” is the reason why “Union of Pride” closes side one. This is a blinder of a closing song, taking the album up in a very upbeat way.
Track Listing:
Tell Me Please
We Stand Alone
Startin’ to Shine
Breakaway
Union of Pride
Lifetime
Power
I’m Alive
Burn It Down
Desperadoes
Killer Dwarfs
Russ ‘Dwarf’ Graham- lead vocals
Mike ‘Dwarf’ Hall -guitar, backing vocals
Ron ‘Dwarf” Mayer- bass, backing vocals
Darrell ‘Dwarf” Millar- drums, backing vocals
I suppose some of you are questioning my sanity in declaring the Killer Dwarfs to be my favourite Canadian band. You’re probably asking, “What about Rush, Triumph, or even Loverboy?” Well, they’re all fantastic bands and I like a lot of their stuff. However, I got to be a nonconformist and it’s the Killer Dwarfs who speak to me on many levels. “Big Deal” is the album which spearheads all of that.
Next post: Metallica- And Justice for All
To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com
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