{"id":54564,"date":"2017-06-19T19:58:29","date_gmt":"2017-06-20T00:58:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/?p=54564"},"modified":"2017-06-19T20:09:43","modified_gmt":"2017-06-20T01:09:43","slug":"lillian-axe-rock-candy-records-remastered-reloaded-music-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2017\/lillian-axe-rock-candy-records-remastered-reloaded-music-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Lillian Axe | Lillian Axe"},"content":{"rendered":"

by John Kindred<\/span>
\n– Publisher —<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Rock Candy Records Remastered & Reloaded —<\/h4>\n

\"\"Lillian Axe gets the ‘Rock Candy’ sugary-sweet treatment as the label has reissued the band’s debut self-titled album as a \u201cspecial deluxe collector\u2019s edition,\u201d complete with a multi-page colored booklet with a 4000-word essay. The reissued album has been remastered in High Definition by John Astley from an audiophile recording from the original master, shaped from 24 BIT digital technology.<\/p>\n

New Orleans-based Melodic Metal band, Lillian Axe, was formed in \u201983 by Stevie Blaze. The band first garnered interest from MCA records when Blaze along with drummer Danny King joined forces with vocalist Ron Taylor, guitarist Jon Ster, and Rob Stratton. The band released the self-titled debut studio album in \u201988 which was produced by the late Robbin Crosby of Ratt.<\/p>\n

Containing 10 songs that reveled within the context of Melodic Metal, Lillian Axe\u2019s music carries an up-tempo and positive vibe. Combining Blaze\u2019s fluid and expressive lead guitar performances with Taylor\u2019s vocal prowess the band delivers smart, intelligible arrangements which fell in line with the feel good, party atmosphere of this particular genre during the \u201880s.<\/p>\n

Opening the album is the uplifting \u201cDream of a Lifetime.\u201d Riding on a plateau built on synth arrangement the song plunges into the ring of an alarm clock before Ster and Blaze\u2019s guitars push forth with pompous mayhem. Listeners are teased with Blaze\u2019s harmony riffs and rhythmic crunch. \u201cInside Out\u201d continues the melodic overtones. Here the band tries to deliver a catchy hook-filled chorus but falls a bit short on delivery. \u201cVisions In The Night\u201d opens more melodic-harmony-guitar phrasing parlaying over a catchy rhythmic arrangement. Again the chorus feels more like a bridge which builds to the solo section.<\/p>\n

\u201cPicture Perfect\u201d has a typical metal rhythm of muted and open position chords. Here Blaze demonstrates non-metal influences in the section leading to the solo. \u201cThe More That You Get\u201d intro and verse rhythm reminds one of the chorus vocal melodies from Rainbow\u2019s \u201cSince You\u2019ve Been Gone.\u201d \u201cMisery Loves Company\u201d opens a driving rhythm, which shifts through several patterns before returning to the original opening rhythm that turns out to be the chorus progression.<\/p>\n

\u201cNobody Knows\u201d is the first \u201cballad\u201d on the album, Taylor sings over an acoustic melody. Taylor sings with more clarity to his voice, a little less grit. Certainly, this provides a change of pace as the songs up to now are each battling for a sense of identity. \u201cHard Luck\u201d returns to a synth intro which builds into heavily distorted guitar rhythm. This song has a progressive feel and mixes in touches of melodic elements. \u201cWaiting In The Dark\u201d opens with a cool melodic theme, the drum and bass maintain a galloping up-tempo beat and the guitars are acoustic melodies with distorted overtones providing tension and aggression. \u201cLaugh In Your Face\u201d closes out the album. Again the band pushes forth with their up-tempo signature sound.<\/p>\n

Lillian Axe finds a band discovering their musical identity. Key elements can be heard as the band finds their sound. The album is full of trademark harmony phrasing, varied textural elements, stylish vocals and a genuine feel good vibe make up the foundation for future releases that truly shine.<\/p>\n

Genre: Hard Rock, Melodic Hard Rock, Melodic Metal<\/p>\n

Band:
\nRon Taylor – vocals
\nStevie Blaze – guitar, keyboards and background vocals
\nJon Ster – guitar, keyboards and background vocals
\nRob Stratton – bass and background vocals
\nDanny King – drums<\/p>\n

Additional Musicians:
\nMichael Dorian – keyboards
\nNate Winger – background vocals
\nPaul Winger – background vocals<\/p>\n

Production:
\nProduced by Robbin Crosby.<\/p>\n

Track Listing:
\n01. Dream Of A Lifetime
\n02. Inside Out
\n03. Vision In The Night
\n04. Picture Perfect
\n05. The More That You Get
\n06. Misery Loves Company
\n07. Nobody Knows
\n08. Hard Luck
\n09. Waiting In The Dark
\n10. Laughing In Your Face<\/p>\n