Phantom Blue--Prime Cuts & Glazed Donuts

Phantom Blue--Prime Cuts & Glazed Donuts (1995)) Rating--7.4

The slight drop in production is expected, as the band moves from the Geffen label to financing this disc on their own. The drop in song quality, however, was a bit of a surprise. Ok, ok--so maybe that's a bit too harsh. I mean, a 7.6 is still solid. We just got totally spoiled after 'Built to Perform', I suppose...
There are some strong riffs placed sporadically, but really the only song that is totally nasty and shred-tasty is "Strange Blue Mercy", which pulses along, dripping chops like a wolf drools at night...
Other highlights inclue "My Brain Hurts a Lot", "Bad Dreams", "Strange War", "You're Not Alone", and "Mutha".
"Saturday Morning Brain Damage" is an instrumental track, and the arpeggios fly in amazing Yngwie fashion. Also, there's a pleasant cover of Sabbath's "Fairies Wear Boots".
Had this disc been release number two and not had to fight its way out of the monstrous shadow of its predecessor, it would have fared a better reviewing fate...
TRACK LIST: My Brain Hurts a Lot/Strange Blue Mercy/Fairies Wear Boots/Bad Dreams/Strange War/Hangin' On/Say a Little Prayer/ You're Not Alone/In the Likes Of You/Mutha/Strike Me Down/Caught in the Fire/Slow Suicide/Saturday Morning Brain Damage

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