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Now Kane Roberts' album #2 is re-released via YesterRock Records. For his second afford Mr. Roberts asked Desmond Child for some songs and he hooked up Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Diane Warren - among others. The result is an album full of station rock the way it was done in the late 80's / early 90's.
The sound of thunder is leading you into the opener Wild Nights, a song which has a Def Leppard touch... Some might remember Twisted, coz it was the first single and so the video was shown on MTV. At this one the Alice Cooper elements are more obvious, but that's fine coz Kane Roberts was Alice Cooper's guitarist back then and also co-wrote some of the Alice Cooper songs. The chorus is once more Def Leppard-ish. Kane Roberts' version of Does Anybody Really Fall In Love Anymore isn't much heavier than Cher's version, but personally I think that Cher's vocals are more emotional... Still a great tune! And it hit the Billboard Hot 100 on #38. The Cher version haven't been released as a single, so it did make sense.
A very catchy guitar-driven tune is Rebel Heart, that one would have been a good pick for a single, too. With You Always Want It opened up the B-side with a bang. It's an infectious riff-based tune which you'll soon start singing along. Fighter is a bit too polished, too poppy... I think a rawer sound would have done this one good... The heavy riffs and the groove make I'm Not Lookin' For An Angel stick out. And somehow this sound seems to fit the muscle-bound guitarist better than the softer tunes. But the song gets a bit too repetitive towards the end. One of my faves always been Too Far Gone, even if it isn't a rocker it offers heavy riffs and a memorable chorus. The ballad It's Only Over For You is a power ballad and I think it would have been interesting to hear Cher do this one... Or Alice Cooper. I think both would have give the song a different feel.
Additionally there is a limited edition of the re-release which offers 4 bonus tracks at an extra CD. All songs seem to be from the same recording session, but the sound is rawer... less polished. But some will find the dull sound hard to stand... But it's still obvious that the songs had the potential to make it onto the album... Especially House Burning Down could have been a single release! Waiting For You make me think of Dire Straits somehow... But there is something else in the mix, perhaps a bit of 80's pop... Dirty Blonde is a decent tune, but the closer White Thrash has a bluesy edge and would have give the album a different flavor.... Actually I think it was a mistake not put that one onto the original release. But well...
Fans of the late 80's / early 90's hard rock should check out Kane Roberts' second album, if you don't remember it or owe it already. But if you get the chance to grab the limited edition, don't hesitate!
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