•
Rating: Fate is really strange! Quiet Riot, hailing from Los Angeles and founded by the late Randy Rhoads, whose importance in the guitar realm is undisputed, managed to carve out a place in rock history and gain success and fame with this "Metal Health", their first platinum record, only after his tragic death in a disastrous plane crash. In fact, at the dawn of the recordings for the album in question, the relationship between Randy and the band members had already soured due to Rhoads' desire for new experiences (the auditions for Ozzy Osbourne's new band), although they weren't completely broken. Proof of this is the continuous contact with Dubrow and Randy, who, alongside the project with Ozzy, was also working on some pieces for Quiet Riot.
The album was eventually released under Pasha Records with the following line-up: Kevin Dubrow (vocals), Carlos Cavazo (guitars, backing vocals), Frankie Banali (drums, backing vocals), Rudy Sarzo (bass, backing vocals) and marks an almost physiological stylistic evolution of their sound, starting from the distinctly American hard rock bases of the first two albums to land in decidedly more heavy metal territories. A balanced mixture of what will be defined as Hair metal with headbanging, anthemic choirs, and raw power chords will allow Quiet Riot to sell a million copies in just eight months.
The opening entrusted to the title track "Metal Health" (which in single version is instead "Bang Your Head") immediately lets us understand the intentions of the platter: melody and a gritty, dirty, and darn raw singing supported by a very valid and substantial rhythmic base. The next song "Cum On Feel The Noize", a cover of Slade's (from "Sladest" in 1973) reinterpreted in a heavy key, is a burst of liveliness with an energetic and carefree riff. It is said that it was producer Spencer Proffer who suggested this track to the band as a cover, although until the end Quiet Riot remained not very convinced of the choice. "Don't Wanna Let You Go" is among the most beautiful tracks on the LP: the classic hard rock ballad supported by a very robust and romantically clean sound with the rhythmic section creating a square groove, embellished by an elegant and determined solo. It is followed by "Slick Black Cadillac", introduced by a full-throated choir as few are, already present in the previous Quiet Riot, which benefits from the overall heavy imprint making it even more roadworthy than the other version, with Cavazo providing a decent solo performance that holds its own against Rhoads' on Quiet Riot II.
A very delicate melancholic arpeggio and a heart-wrenching voice introduce the desolate atmosphere permeating "Love's A Bitch", another of the most successful moments of the platter, torn by a heartfelt solo that vibrates to touch you. Deeply. And the melody and riffs flow impetuously, captivating with their immediacy and versatility, moving from the gallop of "Breathless", strengthened by Cavazo's usual compositional finesse on guitar, to "Run For Cover", properly 100% metal, and "Let's Get Crazy", a classic hard rock piece. In short, two more pearls, bursts of notes, and lots of power, preparing the ground for "Battle Axe", Cavazo's guitar tribute to Rhoads, the first chapter of the nostalgia section, culminating in "Thunderbird", too sweet and rhetorical. Possibly the least successful track in the entire package.
Lastly, I like to dwell on the cover art: a madman strapped in a straitjacket justifying the album title's play on words (mental vs. metal health) and I like to think that the group’s reaction to Randy's tragic departure could only be a foaming reaction, of madness indeed, restrained yet veering at the last from a sound cliché, ready to take risks.
See Ya!
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Metal Health (05:17)
Well, I'm an axe grinder
Piledriver
Mama says that I never, never mind her
Got no brains
I'm insane
The teacher says that I'm one big pain
I'm like a laser
Six-string razor
I got a mouth like an alligator
I want it louder
More power
I'm gonna rock it till it strikes the hour
Bang your head
Metal health will drive you mad
Bang your head
Metal health will drive you mad, all right
Well, I'm frustrated
Outdated
I really want to be overrated
I'm a finder
And I'm a keeper
I'm not a loser and I ain't no weeper
I got the boys
To make the noise
Won't ever let up, hope it annoys you
Join the pack
Fill the crack
Well, now you're here, there's no way back
Bang your head
Metal health will drive you mad
Bang your head
Metal health will drive you mad
Metal health will cure your crazy
Metal health will cure your mad
Metal health is what we all need
It's like a heart attack
Bang your head
Wake the dead
We're all metal mad
It's all you have
So bang your head
And raise the dead, oh yeah
Metal health
It drives you mad, mad, mad, mad
Bang your head
Metal health will drive you mad
Bang your head
Metal health will drive you mad
Oh, get your straightjackets on tonight, oh
The bad boys are gonna set you right
Oh rock ya, rock ya, rock ya
Bang your head
Metal health will drive you mad
Bang your head
02 Cum On Feel the Noize (04:50)
Cum on feel the noize
Girls rock your boys
We'll get wild, wild, wild,
Wild, wild, wild
So you think I got an evil mind, I'll tell you honey
I don't know why
I don't know why
So you think my singing's out of time, it makes me money
I don't know why
I don't know why anymore
Oh no
So cum on feel the noize
Girls rock your boys
We'll get wild, wild, wild,
Wild, wild, wild,
Cum on feel the noize
Girls rock your boys
We'll get wild, wild, wild,
Get wild
So you say I got a funny face, I got no worries
And I don't know why
I don't know why
So I'm a scruff bag well it's no disgrace, I'm in no hurry
And I don't know why
I don't know why anymore
Oh no
Cum on feel the noize
Girls rock your boys
We'll get wild, wild, wild,
Wild, wild, wild,
Cum on feel the noize
Girls rock your boys
We'll get wild, wild, wild,
Get wild
Come on!
Well you think we are the lazy type, you should know better
I don't know why
I don't know why
So you say I got a dirty mind, I'm a mean go getter
I don't know why
I don't know why anymore
Oh no
Cum on feel the noize
Girls rock your boys
We get wild, wild, wild,
Wild, wild, wild
Cum on feel the noize
Girls rock your boys
We get wild, wild, wild,
Get wild
Come on!
Feel it!
Come on!
(Girls rock your boys)
Work it!
We get wild, wild, wild,
(We're gonna get wild)
Wild, wild, wild
(We're gonna get wild tonight)
Cum on feel the noize
(Rockin' tonight)
Girls rock your boys
We get wild, wild, wild,
Oh yeah
Ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah
Cum on feel the noize
Girls rock your boys
We get wild, wild, wild
Ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah
04 Slick Black Cadillac (04:12)
Ooooo, Just a big black set of wheels
Is what it takes to get me off
I'm gonna drive all night
Spin my wheels all night
It feels all right
It feels all right
I don't need no drivers license
I'm too reckless to survive
It's like a carburetor instigator
Feels all right
Feels all right
Drivin' in a Slick Black Cadillac
It's got solid gold hubcaps
It makes me feel like a king
I only need one thing
And that's a Slick Black Cadillac (get up)
You know I got a fully equipped rock 'n' roll machine
At speeds that take me high, high, high
At dead man's curve
I only hear one word drive, drive, drive
Drive, drive, drive
My machine is making headlines
It gives me love and everything
It's like an institution of revolution
It feels all right
Feels all right
Drivin' in a Slick Black Cadillac
It's got solid gold hubcaps
It makes me feel like a king
I only need one thing
And that's a Slick Black Cadillac (pull over, woooo)
I got the coppers on my tail
Just for me an A.P.B.
The sirens spinnin'
Though it's me who's winnin'
There're after me
There're after me
Before they know just what happened
I disappeared to their surprise
I got a Cadillac monkey on my back
And I don't mind
No, I don't mind
Drivin' in a Slick Black Cadillac
It's got solid gold hubcaps
It makes me feel like a king
I only need one thing
And that's a Slick Black Cadillac (hold on)
Slick Black Cadillac
It's got solid gold hubcaps
Slick Black Cadillac
I lay it down, spin wide and get laid in back, oh yeah
Drivin' in a Slick Black Cadillac
It makes me feel like a king, alright!
05 Love's a Bitch (04:12)
Oh!...oh!
Loves got me by the ass again
I've been in love since I don't know when
I keep a-runnin' and I don't know why
Love's givin' me a crock of lies
Out of breath and I'm out of time
Misery is a ruff fight
Love's a bitch, baby
Love's a bitch, yes it's crazy
Love's a bitch, baby
Love's a bitch, yeah it's crazy
Love's a bitch!
Like a cat with diamond eyes
Love's power it can hypnotize
Done me in (ha)
More than twice
She'll make you think that it's over night
Your all alone in a room that's wrong
Your body shakes
Your feet are cold
Love's a bitch, baby
Love's a bitch, yeah it's crazy
Love's a bitch, baby
Love's a bitch, yes it's crazy
Love's a bitch! (whoa, ooh ooh, yes it is)
(Oh, oh, oh)
Such a bitch (oh)
Don't you wait, don't stand still
Gotta keepa movin' or you'll pay the bill
Go by car, go by train
You gotta keepa runnin' or you'll feel the pain
Keepa runnin', keepa runnin'
Love's a bitch, baby
Love's a bitch, yes it's crazy
Love's a bitch, bitch, bitch, baby
Love's a bitch, it's crazy
Love's a bitch! (NO!)
It's a bitch!!!!
06 Breathless (03:50)
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!!
My control
That's what you take from me
Damned my soul
And you won't let me be
Stop me in my tracks, there's no looking back
I can't see (no)
It's much too late
I feel great
You take my breath away
You leave me breathless
You got me helpless
You take my breath away
You leave me breathless
You got me helpless
You take my breath away
Inside-out, that's how she turns my head
All my doubts are never put to bed
She's got me runnin' blind, never think I'll find sanity (oh)
Hyperventilate, nothing's a in her place
She takes my breath away
And leaves me breathless
Yes I'm so helpless
She takes my breath away
You leave me breathless
I'm so helpless
You take my breath away
You take me if I breath
And never let me know
You cast a spell on me, and you don't let me go go go go go
You leave me breathless
You got me helpless
You take my breath away
You leave me breathless
I'm so helpless
You take my breath away
You leave me breathless (oh, oh)
You leave me breathless
I'm breathless, breathless
You leave me breathless
Leave me breathless!
07 Run for Cover (03:39)
Watch out!
You better get yourself runnin'
I got hurricane comin'
No warning surprise
I'm gonna take my leave
I wanna plant my seed
Don't let it shock you hold tight, hold tight
You better run for cover
I'm a hit-n-run lover
Run for cover tonight (get ready!)
So you think it's easy
Try to be this sleazy
Well I'll tell you it's nice (ha ha)
We're gonna make a name
Ain't gonna play no games
You'd better take the first flight tonight
You better run for cover
I'm the hit-n-run lover
Run for cover tonight
Find some shelter and hide
No survivors tonight, hold tight, tonight (yeah watch out!)
You better get yourself runnin'
I got hurricane comin'
No warning surprise
I'm gonna take my leave
I wanna plant my seed
Don't let it shock you hold tight, hold tight
Run for cover
I'm the hit-n-run lover
You better run for cover tonight (yeah)
Run for cover
I'm the hit-n-run lover
Run for cover tonight
Look out
Watch out
Get out
Hold out
Run for cover tonight
Run for cover! Woo!
09 Let's Get Crazy (04:07)
Oh yeah!!!
Lookin' for some action, want a mean machine
Gettin' hot 'n' nasty, climbin' in-between
I'm-a rockin' in the mornin' and in the night
I'm gonna find a mama makes me feel right
Get down
Let's get crazy
Right now
Let's get crazy (alright)
Wanna kiss your lips, not the ones on your face
Your innocent jive is really out of place (yeah)
In need of assistance
A dog for my bone
Ain't no way tonight I go home alone
Get down
Let's get crazy
Right now
Let's get crazy (hahahahahahaha)
Oh rock on!
Oh!!!
Get crazy
Intoxication runnin' through my veins
A shot of the past keep runnin' in my brain wave
I'm rockin' in the mornin' and in the night
I'm gonna find a rocker makes me feel right
Get down
Let's get crazy
Right now
Let's get crazy (ah come on get down to business)
Get down (ha)
Let's get crazy
Right now
Let's get crazy (crazy)
Oh right now
Get down (oh come on)
We're gonna get crazy (we're gonna rock on tonight)
Right now (ooh yeah)
Let's get crazy (hoohoohoohoohoo)
Get down (well well well well well well)
Let's get crazy (get insane)
Right now (oh sometime tonight)
Let's get crazy (CRAZY!)
Get down
10 Thunderbird (04:42)
Hello you
yes it's me
You can't come back
Your flyin' free
You think you found
Everything that you need
Fly away, fly away
To your new home
Across the seas
Oh leave your nest
Oh baby leave the best thing
That you've been
Whoa, whoa, whoa
Fly on, Thunderbird fly
Fly on, spread your wings to the sky
Fly on, Thunderbird fly
On your own
And I'm alone
In the shadow
Of what we done
And I can't help but think
That someday
You'll be back home (whoa)
Fly away, fly away
To your new home
Across the bay
And give your best
Ooh baby leave the best thing
That you've been
Oh, oh, oh
Fly on, Thunderbird fly
Fly on, spread your wings to the sky
Fly on, Thunderbird fly (fly on)
(Ah, ah, ah, ah)
(Ah, ah, ah, ah ah ah ah)
When all is said
All is done
Still I live
And carry on
Don't look back
But think of me
We'll meet again
Fly away (oh)
Fly on, Thunderbird fly
Fly on, spread your wings to the sky
Fly on, Thunderbird fly
Fly on, Thunderbird fly
You've got fly away
Fly on, spread your wings to the sky
On to the sky
Fly on Thunderbird...
Fly!
Loading comments slowly
