QUIET RIOT - Rehab
October 31, 2006, 18 years ago
(Chavis)
While most bands that broke through in the ‘80s are delivering albums that are desperate attempts to regain some past glory, Quiet Riot has moved forward and made what many might consider their best album ever. Sure Metal Health will have sold more (thanks in large part to MTV), but Rehab is a more consistent album from top to bottom or in ‘80s terms – all killer no filler (with the exception of the prosaic ‘It Sucks To Be You’). Drummer Frankie Banali and lead singer Kevin DuBrow have righted the once sinking QR ship, by bringing in fresh blood on this CD with bassist Tony Franklin and guitarist Neil Citron. The songs showcase the band’s influences be it the driving Keith Moon-inspired drumming on rocker ‘Black Reign’, the Van Halen-styled solo in the heavy ‘Strange Daze’, the classic rock of ‘Evil Woman’ (a Spooky Tooth cover featuring a Glen Hughes/DuBrow duet) or DuBrow’s strong vocals throughout, sounding like a rabid Brian Johnson of AC/DC. All told, Quiet Riot have found a comfortable place between old school rock and staying contemporary.