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The Alleycat Scratch was a Sleaze/Glam Metal band born in 1988 in San Francisco and later moved to Los Angeles, a place where other bands of the genre tasted success (above all, the Gun N' Roses, but also Faster Pussycat and L.A. Guns found a decent audience at the time). Unfortunately, the Alleycat did not share the same fortunate fate; the main reason is probably that the album I am about to discuss (which is also their first and only LP) came out only in 1993, when, as we all know, Glam had already declined in favor of the Grunge explosion in Seattle. However, lack of commercial success does not always mean low quality; on the contrary, in some cases, like that of the Alleycat, the two factors (success and quality) are inversely proportional.
The four Sleazers indeed deliver a true genre manifesto, the sound is absolutely raw and dirty as per the manual, and their Hard rock is graced with punk influences even better than what GN'R did in the highly praised Appetite For Destruction.
The album opens with two perfect examples of the band's sound: "Stiletto Strut" is perhaps the best track on the album, starting with a bass intro, then the guitar emerges, raw and punkish, the chorus is the highlight of the song, engaging and catchy enough, with an excellent solo by Lovelace. The following "Take A Bite (Outta Me)" is no less, softer compared to the opener but no less engaging. The trio "Soul Survivor"/"Sexual Addiction"/"Love Sick Junkie" is also excellent, noting the use of the cowbell at the start of "Soul Survivor" which recalls the intro of "Nightrain" by Guns N' Roses. Also noteworthy is "Trash City" with a groove that keeps you moving, worthy of the best Faster Pussycat.
The only somewhat lackluster episode is probably the semi-ballad "Roses On My Grave", fairly predictable and similar to a thousand other ballads by bands of the genre.
In short, a true gem to rediscover for fans of the genre from one of the most underrated bands in the whole Sleaze/Glam movement.
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