Roadkill - Meanstreak

This is the, to my knowledge, the only album by all female thrash metal band Meanstreak. I found out about this band via looking for "bad album covers" on the web. This is actually a pretty funny album cover after finding out that they were a girl band. This album was released in 1988, and to my luck the whole thing is up on Spotify for me to listen to.

1. Roadkill: This song is a good intro to an album. I swore that this was a mans vocals. It kind of reminds me of a Priest off their 1991 album Painkiller. This song actually somewhat reminds me of that song. The singer also kind of reminds me of the singer from Fates Warning.
2. Searching Forever: This song kind of reminds me of Iron Maiden but before around 1981, 1982. This also kind of reminds me of Judas Priest on their album Stained Class.
3. Snakepit: This has this kind of Egyptian intro to it. The riff is kind of cool sounding and there is this rattle that sounds like a snake. I don't know why, but this song kind of reminds me a little of the song Shout at the Devil. The way the riff is in the verses. He voice also kind of reminds me a little of Halestorm. I actually saw them at the first Uproar when it was here in Chicago. About halfway thorough the song it speeds up until there is a drumfill and the normal speed comes back for a solo. I think that the tone is pretty cool sounding. And the girl can shred.
4. Nostradamus: This is a pretty solid song. It's kind of  like the last few. It's pretty cool sounding.
5. It Seems to Me: For some reason this riff reminded me of Aerosmith but on one of their older albums. The vocals on this song reminds me of 1986's Wasted Years by Maiden.
6. Lost Stranger: Not much to say about this song. It's kind of the same.
7. The Warning: This kind of further reminds me of Fates Warning. The name of the song is The Warning. This song actually kind of reminds me of them. I think the name is appropriate.
8. The Congregation: I like how the bass sounds heavy on this. This really reminds me of Maiden.

Overall I have to give this a 7.5/10. If you like 80's metal then you'll probably like this album. Even thought they are an all girl band they don't really sound like it. If you like metal you will probably like this album a lot. Trust me, I would know. I don't really care for female metal singers, but this is an exception. The solos didn't WOW me, but they were pretty solid.

Broadway the Hard Way - Frank Zappa

This live album has one of the first Frank Zappa songs that I heard. Yes it's Jesus Thinks Your A Jerk. That is one of my favorite Zappa songs ever. This album has it's memories for me, even thought there is disapointment. I was looking forward to this album being amazing based off Why Don't You Like Me?, Jesus Thinks Your A Jerk, and Murdered By Numbers, I was wrong, kind of. At least the first time. I don't exactly know why, but even thought I know how I feel about this album, this is still a classic in my head. This was originally released on vinyl via mail order. When it was issued on CD there was bonus tracks not on the vinyl.

1. Elvis Has Just Left The Building: This song starts ok. I don't think that it's anything mind blowing, but I think that it's ok. I think that this is an interesting song. I think it's nothing that is that crazy. I mean, It isn't as bad the second time through. I think that this is a pretty decent song
2. Planet of the Baritone Women: This song has this type of like Egyptian feeling to it. I like this more than the last song, but I don't think that it's amazing. I do think the horns do sound pretty cool though. I don't like how Frank stopped the song to say who was singing. I mean it's what he wants, but that kind of bugs me about the '88 Tour. The fact that it was a joke, more so than before. 
3. Any Kind Of Pain: This song, at least the beginning, kind of reminds me of like a Kenny G song. And not to be offensive, but Kenny's songs are very queer. By that I mean that it's like white jazz. After that thought it's kind of ok. Like the parts where he's not singing is where it reminds me of Kenny. I do like the pre-chorus though. I do like the distortion on the solo in this song. It's not terrible, but I don't like the sax in the song. But it's nothing that you can't get over after 2 or 3 listens.
4. Dickie's Such An Asshole (The San Clemente Magnetic Deviation): I am not quite sure if I like this version, or You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 3 version more. I think they are both Ok, but I'm not quite sure.
5. When the Lie's So Big: I like this song about as much as I like the last. I do enjoy it, but I'm not insane about it.
6. Rhymin' Man: I like this song, but they also play about a dozen different melodies in the song. But I like the guys voice. He's the one who did the Ring of Fire cover on 1991's Best Band You Never Heard In Your Life. There is a part where they slid the keys and is sounds like a xylophone kinda, I really like that sound. They also use My Sharona in this song.
7. Promiscuous: I think it's hilarious that this is like a hip-hop song. I think this is better than Run DMC and any otha rappa outt there. No but seriously, this song is pretty funny. I feel like this reminds me of Lazy Scranton from The Office.
8. The Untouchables: I do like this song. I think it kind of sound like a Spy type song. I could kind of see the beginning of the song being in James Bond. I do know that there is part of the Hawaii Five-0 theme song, but I could still see this being in James Bond. This is one of my favorites song. I like Ike's voice in there too. I guess this is a cover.
9. Why Don't You Like Me?: Tell Me You Love Me is such a fun song to probably play, espically with this variation. I got into this version before I heard both the 1970 Chunga's Revenge album version or the other live version off Tinsel Town Rebellion. I think it's hilarious that he's making fun of Michael. The lyrics are also pretty funny. My mom doesn't laugh at Michael Jackson jokes, but when she heard this, she laughed. This is a fun song that I could see being like a intro to Frank if someone is stubborn about their music.
10. Bacon Fat:  I'm not huge on it
11. Stolen Moments: This is an instrumental song. I don't really care for this song either. It does flow into the next song, but I don't find it that amazing. It is kind of cool
12. Murdered By Numbers: I like the fact that Frank had Sting comeout and play this song. I much more like The Police's version off 1983's Synchronicity. It's not that I don't like this song, but I like the other version more. 
13. Jezebel Boy: I also think that this song is ok. I'm not huge on this song either, but what ever.
14. Outside Now: I don't like this version as much as the Joe's Garage Act: II & III version. I do think that this is still good, but I don't quite like it as much. I think I still need to listen to the version from 1988's Guitar. I also the 1991's You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore, Vol. 4 (rec. 1984) and 1984's Perfect Stranger versions of the song. But I don't think this is as good as the original album version.
15. Hot-Plate Heaven at the Green Hotel: I think that the 1986's Does Humor Belong In Music?, recorded in '84, isn't that different from this 1988's Broadway The Hard Way.
16. What Kind Of Girl?: I like this version. I have to laugh that they reference Jim. And I like that they quote Strawberry Fields Forever in this song. I like the flow into the next song, which is pretty much written to be about Jim. I like the version on Beat The Boots II: Tengo Na Minchia Tanta, which was recorded November 1970. I also like the version on Fillmore East, June 1971 too. I do think it's intresting on the Philly '76 album version because Lady Bianca is a woman and she is the prostitute in the song. But this is a song that is an example of how he kind redid songs "classics" for this '88 Tours.
17. Jesus Thinks Your A Jerk: Though I am a Christian I still love and respect Frank's views. This song reminds me of sophomore year waiting to go and see my brother do swim meet. I particularly remember the one where I was listening to the Broadway the Hard Way version. For some reason I had a shit load of confidence and actually said something to the "hottest" girl I'd ever seen at school. She said two words. I know what but I don't want to say because it is embarrassing. But this song is so fricken catchy. The more I listened to it the more I understood the lyrics. It is an awesome song. overall I love this song and listen to it like crazy. The song reminds me of the album cover and the album cover reminds me of that evening, so to say. It sucks there is only 2 versions of the song, including a bootleg version, of the song. It is very catchy though, and will probably always be one of my favorite Zappa songs.

Overall I have to give this a 7.6/10. The reason I did this is because only two songs on this album that were on other albums. I am not a huge fan off the '88 Tour band that Frank had. For that reason I am not crazy about any of these live albums. I don't hate them, but they are defiantly not my favorite Zappa stuff. I kind of like that this album has a somewhat concept. By that each song has a joke in it and it is kind of continued in all the songs. Kind of like a loose concept album, in a way. First listen this would have gotten like a 4 or 5, but now it's got a 7. But also realize that I've listened to a shit ton of concert boots from the '88 Shows, so that might have also helped. I did a review of one, St. Patrick's Day 1988

So Far, So Good... So What! - Megadeth

Today is my friend Justin Stockton's 17th birthday. I asked him what album he wanted me to review for him on his birthday and he told me So Far, So Good... So What!. I know that this is my favorite Megadeth album, well either that or Peace Sells... Who's Buying. But part of the reason I like this so much is because it isn't their ''masterpiece'' and I think it should be. This album is very underrated and should be more respected. I think that this is well....

1. Into The Lungs Of Hell: This is my favorite song off this album. I love the intro with the electronic sounding horns. There is something about that that makes me feel like that is an awesome way to start a song and an album. The intro solo in this song also sounds awesome I love the guitar distortion. This song kind of reminds me of my favorite Iron Maiden song Transylvania. This is like their Transylvania to me. There is a certain feel for this so good The soloing and the recording in general on this song just... This song is a 10/10.
2. Set The World Afire: The sample in the beginning of this track of the radio then getting bombed. I think that that's hilarious. The riffs in this song are more like Transylvania. than Track 1, but that's the intro instrumentation. The reason I say that this vocals on this album work is because there is some type of evil vocal effect in the background making it sound evil. There is a part in here where the riff speeds up, that is my favorite part of the song. This entire album in general is defiantly BA. The intro, solo, chorus, instrumentation this also gets a big 10
3. Anarchy Of The U.K.: I like this song. I like the original and I also like this version to. This a a good cover of the song with a cool sounding solo. I also like the music video for this song. Also I'm glad that Dave  didn't really change the lyrics up so much. I don't really have a ton of stuff. This cover is solid.
4. Mary Jane: It don't matter what this tracks about. All that matters is that it is beast. It is slow moving and reminds me of the album, well it's Metallica's 1984 sophomore effort Ride the Lightning. The guitar just sounds awesome and the beat. When this speeds up it gets more intense and reminds me of, for some reason the song Transylvania comes to mind. The soloing on this is amazing.period! This is defiantly a headbanger and thrash classic.
5. 502: the beginning of this song reminded me of Miserlou by Dick Dale and the Del Tones. Well that is until he says shit. Ha. there is some type of police alarm and vehicle horns sampled were it founded like a solo, which was followed by a bad ass soloing power. The ending with the like emotional breakdown during the fade. 10
6. In My Darkest Hours: This is an emotional song. I like this and it is like their Stairway to Heaven. If you've heard it you know what I'm talking about. I love how the acoustic guitars sound on this album. I feel this is Megadeth's own For Whom The Bell Tolls, but better mixed and better quality. The fact that the lyrics are based on Cliff Burton in honor of his passing. That's touching man, that he would do that for someone in a band that kicked him out. This only hits you harder when you find out Metallica hadn't really, until after this song, honored Cliff. They are honest bastards, in a bad way. The solo in this is among the awesome solo parts
7. Liar: This reminds me of something I'd hear on a 1970's Judas Priest album. Which is their shining moments as a band, in my opinion. The song keeps on driving and picks up after the emotion of In My Darkest Hours is done. It's like he is now denying the fact that Cliff has died and calls the person who told him this that they are a "Fucking Liar". I think that from that point of view it is masterpiece.
8. Hook In The Mouth: this song has a very driving bass riff in it. I like that it's different. This seems like something I could vision Cliff playing on. Now that isn't the case. But the song has a type of solo where in the beginning of it it sounds like bees buzzing. Which I think is funny an also at the same time amazing.

Overall I'd give this album a 9/10. By far one of my favorite 80's album and better than some of Metallica's 80's monsters. This is different, but it's not. This stands out from Dave's discography. There are very important parts on this that are important to me. This album has a pre-Meagdeth existence world Metallica. The first two albums are their best and they sound like Dave's writing.