The following three new Rock Candy titles are available now from www.rockcandyrecords.com for a discounted price including postage to anywhere ending on April 10.
LOVE/HATE 'BLACK OUT IN THE RED ROOM' CANDY286
THERE'S A NOTEABLE honesty that infuses the music of Love/Hate. Although they were surrounded at the time by the stylised sounds of big hair rock, their music was decidedly left of centre, and although their appeal was primarily to a mainstream crowd, they nurtured a style that would outsmart their competition by wide margin. By introducing an element of danger and crafting songs that had unexpected twists and turns, they ploughed a unique path, one that has made their reputation grow over the years.
Fronted by wild man of rock Jizzy Pearl, whose twisted vocal is as powerful as it is different, the band courted a similar audience to the cavortings of similar ground breaking street urchins such as Skid Row, the Wildhearts, and Faith No More. This was rough-hewn music, big on monstrous riffs and lashings of guitar work, with Pearl spitting out lyrics that seemed to evoke images of a world in chaos.
Issued in early 1990, and produced by veteran studio wizard Tom Werman (Cheap Trick,Ted Nugent, Twisted Sister) the album contained a brace of rapid fire tracks, spearheaded by the anthemic 'Black Out In The Red Room', a considerable turntable hit and a song that set Love/Hate apart from the competition. Indeed, its execution aligned them to the emerging sound of grunge. Whilst others aligned themselves to dated sounds this albums retains a contemporary edge, giving Love/Hate longevity that still sounds fresh to this day.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR'S EDITION, FULLY REMASTERED SOUND, 16 PAGE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET, 3,500 WORD ESSAY ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM WITH NEW INTERVIEW AND ENHANCED ARTWORK.
TRACK LISTING: 1. BLACKOUT IN THE RED ROOM 2. ROCK QUEEN 3. TUMBLEWEED 4. WHY DO YOU THINK THEY CALL IT DOPE? 5. FUEL TO RUN 6. ONE MORE ROUND 7. SHE'S AN ANGEL 8. MARY JANE 9. STRAIGHTJACKET 10. SLUTSY TIPSY 11. SLAVE GIRL 12. HELL, CA., POP. 4 BONUS TRACKS: 13. TINSELTOWN (B-Side) 14. ONE MORE ROUND (Live) 15. SLAVE GIRL (Live)
ERIC MARTIN BAND 'SUCKER FOR A PRETTY FACE' CANDY306
ALTHOUGH THE name Eric Martin is synonymous with the platinum selling hard band rock band Mr Big, there was a time when he was just another struggling singer, one of many trying to get a shot at the big time. Eric's calling card was, and still is, a one in a million voice; a golden rasp blessed with a silky smooth delivery that would eventually establish him as a contender for serious chart action.
The Eric Martin Band were initially formed in 1980, under the name of 415 and subsequently signed a record deal with Elektra records, who forced the name change to the Eric Martin Band. Securing heavyweight management, who also handled Journey, the band cut what is now regarded as one the period's best melodic AOR records. Produced by Kevin Elson (Journey) and Rodney Mills (.38 Special) the album contains a superb selection of fuel injected songs, including 'Ten Feet Tall', the Frankie Miller penned 'Don't Stop' and the anthemic title track itself.
Sadly, due exclusively to internal record company politics, the project hit delays when they were sent back into the studio to cut more tracks at the behest of ever changing A&R staff. Critically, on the album's release in 1983, Elektra engaged in a huge cost cutting exercise dismissing key staff integral to the band's survival. With nobody to champion the record the band experienced a body blow that was insurmountable, but left behind one of the best albums of the era.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR'S EDITION, FULLY REMASTERED SOUND, 16 PAGE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET, 3,500 WORD ESSAY ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM WITH NEW INTERVIEW AND ENHANCED ARTWORK.
TRACK LISTING: 1. SUCKER FOR A PRETTY FACE 2. DONT STOP 3. PRIVATE LIFE 4. TEN FEET TALL 5. LETTING IT OUT 6. YOUNG AT HEART 7. JUST ANOTHER PRETTY BOY 8. ONE MORE TIME 9. CATCH ME IF YOU CAN 10. LOVE ME BONUS TRACKS: 11. STOP IN THE NAME OF LOVE 12. INTRODUCTION/YOUNG/AT HEART (LIVE) 13. TEN FEET TALL (LIVE) 14. SUCKER FOR A PRETTY FACE (LIVE) 15. DON'T STOP (LIVE)
ZEBRA '3.V' CANDY259
SOME ARTISTS MAY not have reached the huge sales figures of many superstar acts but their influence was significant on the fan base that they did acquire. Zebra were one such act. A three piece power trio, they were a band that, although selling reasonably well, never quite reached the summit of their commercial potential but attracted a hugely committed following, based solely on the quality of their output' and it is a sound that still has power and presence today.
Signed to Atlantic Records, the band's first album was actually the fastest selling debut in the label's long and impressive history. Their second album 'No Tellin' Lies' failed to capitalise on this unexpected good fortune, but the quality of material was just as impressive. With the obliquely titled third record (a reference to how long it had taken to record it!) the band took stock and pledged to make the best record of their career.
'3.V' is actually an incredible creation. Melodic yet forceful, it moves them firmly away from their Led Zeppelin roots to a unique world, focussing on their brilliant arrangements and great songs. It also moved the band in a far more progressive rock style attracting comparisons to Rush but with their own melodic sensibility. The musicianship is phenomenal and leader Randy Jackson's vocals are wonderfully expressive, demonstrating an extraordinary range. Truly, it is one of the best hitherto underexposed rock albums of the 1980s.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR'S EDITION, FULLY REMASTERED SOUND, 12 PAGE FULL COLOUR BOOKLET, 3,500 WORD ESSAY ABOUT THE MAKING OF THE ALBUM WITH NEW BAND INTERVIEW AND ENHANCED ARTWORK.
TRACK LISTING: 1. CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT YOU 2. HE'S MAKIN' YOU THE FOOL 3. TIME 4. YOUR MIND'S OPEN 5. BETTER NOT CALL 6. YOU'LL NEVER KNOW 7. ABOUT TO MAKE THE TIME 8. YOU'RE ONLY LOSING YOUR HEART 9. HARD LIVING WITHOUT YOU 10. ISN'T THAT THE WAY
