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Artist: Y&T |
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Well it's been 13 years since ‘Endangered Species’ but the waiting is finally over as Y&T return to the studio for their new album ‘Facemelter’. As one of mine and many others favourite rock band, I was always going to look to this album as a continuation of what the band has done before and would have been surprised if the band had changed formula’s with this new album. I’m glad to see that my fears were unfounded as once again Meniketti and the boys come out of the blocks rocking as only Y&T do. I’m a great believer of the old adage "it isn’t broke why try to fix it". The band have been around almost constantly since the early seventies, with just a short hiatus around 1991. Their live shows have always been one of the highlights of the Rock calendar for me, but I like the thousands of other fans, have always wanted another studio album. Well 'Facemelter' is the album the fans have been waiting for. It’s 100% Y&T through and through. After the intro ‘Prelude – On With The Show’ the album does just that as the show goes on with ‘On With The Show’ and from here on in it's pure Rock n' Roll Y&T style, with Meniketti in fine form, both vocally and on the six string, as he pours out the grooves that have become the bands trademark from day one. The album continues with ‘How Long’, a great big thumping anthem that brings Phil Kennmore’s bass to the forefront of the songs, while John Nymann and Meniketti deliver that trademark Y&T guitar sound, all the while Mike Vanderhule's punching out the rock steady drum beat. Over the bands 18 studio albums I don’t think there has been the complete Y&T album. Yes there have been some great albums with maybe half a dozen classics, but this album has thirteen future classics on it. In the 70's and 80’s you could get away with an album of six great songs and six fillers but not today, fans want more for their money these days, they want an album that rocks from beginning to end and this one does just that. One of the tracks which really does it for me is the excellent ‘Shine On’, this is Y&T for the new millennium. Big licks and a massive sing-a-long chorus. This is one song I can't wait to hear performed live. Things continue in true Y&T style with ‘I Want Your Money’, a bluesy groove filled rocker that has that 'Black Tiger' feel about it. Then we have the thumping ‘Wild Child’, a mid-tempoed rocker that Meniketti really makes his own with some great guitar licks and even more impressive vocal. The years might have put a few grey hairs on the head but the pipes are still as pure as ever. Another of my many favourite tracks off the album has to be the rockin’ ‘I’m Coming Home’, this one is a modern 'Midnight In Tokyo' for me, it has that same vibe. Then it's time to really slow things down with the superb ‘If You Want Me’, a real slow burner that just oozes class. The band have always brought the big guns on many albums and this album is no different as the good time rock comes in the form of ‘Hot Shot’ and the rip snorting ‘Blind Patriot’. Two Hard Rockin' monsters that will just blow you away. We get a little bluesier for ‘Don’t Bring Me Down’ before the track takes off, then it’s the tongue and cheek ‘Gonna Go Blind’, a song that many a young man can relate to, (even if they won't admit it). It’s
back to the meat and bones Hard Rock with the excellent ‘One Life’
before the album comes to a close with ‘Losing My Mind’, again a
grooved filled rocker that wraps up what is a great album and one that the band
can be proud of putting the Y&T name to. Let's just hope we don’t have
to wait another 13 years for the next album! |
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Tracklisting
01.
Prelude, On With The Show |
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