So, easy to pass over this album as yet another, run-of-the-mill, typical exercise, but there is a bit more going on here than meets the eye. There is a noticeable uptick in the intensity department - where this sprung from, I have no idea, but the ferocity of Price's leads and solos are amped to a new level, and much of the material is overflowing with venom and devilish sneers. The title track was easily one of the group's catchiest singles, and even has a slight New Wave tinge to it. The cover of "Sweet Home Chicago" may come off as somewhat predictable - blues-rock band covering a blues classic - but it is loud, raucous, and energetic. But the undeniable peak of the album are the next three tracks - the rip-fast "Easy Money" (this is like Foghat gone speed metal), the highly-intense "Midnight Madness", and the emotional-heavyweight "It Hurts Me Too" (an Elmore James cover). All three of these tracks are distinguished by Lonesome Dave's passionate vocals, Price's fiery guitar lines, and in the case of "Midnight Madness", an unparalleled change of mood mid-song.
Which makes the next two songs even more mystifying, in how in the hell they could be the polar opposite of what I described above? "High on Love" relies on a dopey disco-like bass groove, drowns Price's guitar in horrid effects, and contains a bunch of dumb, inane lyrics about falling head over heels in love with some woman. The only redeeming quality of it, is the awesome Price solo that ends the song. Next, a cover of "Chevrolet", but done in this weird proto-rap/funk style, with handclaps and wah-wah funk guitars in the background. Uh…what? Where did this come from? Fortunately, they get back to brass tax on "Stay with Me", a nice, folk-pop style ballad which closes the album, properly showcasing the humble nature of these guys as it should be, through and through. Overall, a really good album which could have been one of their undeniable classics if not for the two aforementioned mishaps.
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