by Derric Miller
– Managing Editor —
Classic Albums Revisited —
If any U.S. band wielded the right blend of musicianship, looks, and songwriting ability to be America’s answer to Def Leppard in the 1980s, Hurricane was that band. Not only did they have the Hard Rock lineage, with guitarist Robert Sarzo (brother of Rudy) and bassist Tony Cavazo (brother of Carlos), but they had easily the best singer in all of Hard Rock with Kelly Hansen. Today, Hansen brings back the ’80s as the voice of Foreigner, tackling a job few would have the balls to attempt, but back in 1985, no band in the world showed more promise than Hurricane.
Today, the first three Hurricane releases are available in remastered versions, bringing new verve to the music that brazenly stands the test of time.
Their debut EP, Take What You Want, was a limited print cassette back in the day, quickly becoming a collector’s item over the years. Oddly, while the EP only had an EP-like number of songs originally, six, they added four songs from their follow up LP, Over the Edge, which are also on the re-releases. Anyway …
The EP begins with “Take Me In Your Arms,” a pumping, melodic anthem that you’d never guess is a debut. The songwriting ability of Hurricane was always impressive, and the moment Hansen begins singing, his unique and unparalleled vocal command would daunt any band on the Sunset Strip back in the day. Could you imagine Odin seeing Hurricane, and still believe they were going to be the biggest stars in the world? The song flaunts tempo changes, artistic breakdowns, and a huge crescendo to the blisteringly poetic guitar solo. If it’s been 20+ years since you’ve heard this track, it still sounds new today.
Hurricane didn’t take themselves too seriously, as you’ll hear from their ode to hot chicks “The Girls Are Out Tonight.” Like Y&T’s “Summertime Girls,” the lyrics are drunkenly simplistic yet funny, and the guitars are honed and edgy. If you want four-part harmony, you’ll get it here. Everyone in Hurricane was a major talent; why aren’t they platinum again?
The first video Hurricane released was, well, sort of an odd choice, the eponymous “Hurricane.” It’s not indicative of the band’s overall appeal, because it’s heavier than basically everything they’ve ever done. It did accomplish getting people’s attention, and announced the band as a way harder alternative to what Bon Jovi offered. Sarzo’s solo is frantic, and the video even lived up to its name as the band played in a wind-tunnel like atmosphere.
When you get to “It’s Only Heaven,” you’ll be wanting to catch your breath, and this track surely breathes. Hansen, whether he digs it or not, sings the best “Hair Ballads” of all time. While comrades Jani Lane “wowed” the world with schmaltz like “Heaven” and Tom Kiefer shredded his vocal chords with the uncomfortable “Nobody’s Fool,” no one was as effortless or soaring as Hansen. Again, the haunting background vocals buoy the track behind just “great,” the lyrics are simple but not adolescent, and nothing is found wanting.
The EP “ends” (although there are the Over the Edge tracks) with “Hot and Heavy.” Like “Hurricane,” it’s a racing, pissed-off, testosterone-laced anthem. They get a bit weak on the lyrics, with lines like, “There’s been a buzz around the classroom; something’s going on tonight!” Oh well, it was 1985. It could still cause a riot today anyway.
Hurricane … although there’s no way to measure “what should have been” with this obscenely underrated foursome, you can definitely go back and hear “what could have been.” Take What You Want is essential, period.
Track Listing:
1. Take Me In Your Arms
2. The Girls Are Out Tonight
3. Take What You Want
4. Hurricane
5. It’s Only Heaven
6. Hot And Heavy
7. I’m On to You
8. Baby Snakes
9. Over the Edge
10. La Luna
Label: Caroline Records
Web:
Hardrock Haven rating: 
(8.6 / 10)
