This 1989 debut from Warrant is a decent, if
fairly typical, glam metal album. The sound is less refined than what they would
achieve on their next album, and the song writing will also get more consistent on
future releases, but there is still some good stuff here to sink your teeth into.
"32 Pennies" starts out in a fairly normal, unspectacular fashion, but then kicks into a
double-timed solo which really makes the song. "Down Boys" was a modest hit for
the guys and deservedly so as it's pretty good, despite subtle keyboards during
the chorus. "Big Talk" has a good chorus which makes up for some poppy drums. The
solo section of the fast "So Damn Pretty (Should Be Against the Law)" is quite
good and compensates for a lackluster chorus. Like the opening track,
"D.R.F.S.R." (an acronym for album title), has a double-time section with a cool
solo. It should be noted here that although Eric Turner and Joey Allen played all
the rhythm guitars and some of the solos on this album, Eric Turner has verified
that guitarist Mike Slamer, of the band City Boy, actually played some of the
solos, and it's a safe bet that the faster, more intricate ones on the album are
his (otherwise, why use him?).
"Sometimes She Cries" and "Heaven" are the two ballads on here, and they're
actually pretty respectable. "Sometimes She Cries" has some good guitar, and ends
with a cool riff change and good soloing. Also, listen carefully at the 0:36 and
1:39 marks for a little guitar harmonic that adds a nice touch. "Heaven" was
actually re-recorded after the album was released per record company demands. All
pressings after the first 250,000 copies contain the newer version that is
supposedly more radio friendly. It's a good ballad, and helped make this album a
pretty big seller.
Some filler songs dot the second half of the album, but all in all a good debut
and a portent of much better things to come.
TRACK LIST:
1. 32 pennies
2. Down Boys
3. Big Talk
4. Sometimes She Cries
5. So Damn Pretty (Should Be Against the Law)
6. D.R.F.S.R.
7. In the Sticks
8. Heaven
9. Ridin' High
10. Cold Sweat
Review by Jon Paine