Badlands--Badlands (1989)
Rating--8.6
High Wire--RealAudio
An amazing blues-metal offering from an all-star cast of merchants. Jake E. Lee resurfaces following an impressive stint
with Ozzy, and forms a majestic union with golden-throated, Coverdale-esque wailer Ray Gillen. Joining the fray are bassist
Greg Chaisson and drummer Eric Singer, from the David Lee Roth band and Kiss, respectively.
Lee easily shows as much talent in this new light as he ever did with the Ozzman; in fact, the blues element has only raised my level of respect
for the man.
Strutting to the extreme, Badlands brings a plate of metal consisting of AC/DC with an
attitude, the creativeness of Led Zeppelin, and the punch of Tesla.
"High Wire" starts you with
a nice opening riff, and lead single "Dreams in the Dark" has a good pick-up and overall flow. Check out the distortion kick at 1:30
of "Winter's Call"--nice rhythm chug! There is another change at 3:00, which serves as a perfect solo backdrop.
Great singing
by Gillen is featured throughout, and the chorus of "Dancing on the Edge" is especially strong. The slower "Streets Cry Freedom"
has a strong base, and the nasty strut of "Rumblin' Train" is pure and mesmerizing.
"Devil's Stomp" starts acoutic and gives you
a metal teaser at 0:50, and the full crush comes out at 1:45. Great stuff!! Bonus track "Ball & Chain" closes out with more chops,
bringing a fine offering complete circle. The disc is now out of print, so grab it if you ever get the chance.
TRACK LIST: High Wire/Dreams in the Dark/Jade's Song/Winter's Call/Dancing on the Edge/Streets Cry Freedom/Hard Driver/
Rumblin' Train/Devil's Stomp/Seasons/Ball & Chain
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