After two semi-hard rock masterpieces like the self-titled debut and "Slave to the Grind", Skid Row hire Bob Rock and transform. This is evident from the very first notes of the album: "My enemy" hits like a punch in the teeth and it’s hard even to recognize the band. Once you manage to get into the mindset of the new sound, the album can definitely be appreciated: "Firesign", the title track, "Medicine jar", "Iron will", "Frozen" surprise with their hardness, "Bonehead" is almost a punk track, and the ballads (always Skid Row's ace in the hole) "Eileen", "Into another" and especially the single "Breakin down", are tracks on which our guys move along familiar and tested paths.
Sebastian Bach has been restrained by Bob Rock (he himself declared that arguments were abundant during the recording sessions), and the fast and hard tempos leave little room for the usual vocalizations we’ve grown accustomed to, but his performance remains absolutely above average, as does that of the band, despite venturing into territory in which they don’t naturally thrive.
The tracklist is skillfully assembled and ensures that the album flows pleasantly, alternating punk-hardcore-like bursts with other equally heavy but measured ones, without neglecting, of course, the ballads. It’s a shame that this is the last chapter of Skid with Sebastian, given that the careers of both have gone poorly, or at least well below their usual standards.
This is an album that has more detractors than admirers, and that has made those who have always loved Skid Row in their hard rock version frown, but I have always liked it. If you're only looking for an album in line with the first two records, you might as well not even listen to it, but if you're willing to take a risk, do it.
Great Skid!
Must listen: "Breakin down", "My enemy", "Iron will"
Skip song "Remains to be seen"
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
03 Bonehead (02:16)
Is there a problem ? The laugh of the rich man
Has got you crying poor
Are you as heavy as hell in a handbag
Or just a virgin whore ?
If the weight of the world is on your shoulders
Then carry it for a day
Do you try for peace or peace of mine;
Is reality in the way ?
Enter the martyr out through the in door
The savior has arrived ?
Is all your anger force of habit
And keeping you alive ?
An empty shotgun shooting your mouth off
Something�s on your mind
The cheap messiah of persecution
Is alive and doing fine
Chorus
I won�t leave if you stay, I don�t buy what you say
If you�re a new God let me see a miracle
I won�t leave if you stay, I don�t buy what you say
I can�t say that you�re a fool, but if you�re a new God let me see a miracle.
07 Subhuman Race (02:40)
Jesus knows my story, he knows the position that I'm in
A hooker knows the feeling to get fucked the way I've been
Turn my insides out; your mouth drank my water
[Chorus]
You look at me like I'm subhuman
You talk to me like I'm subhuman
You're treating me like I'm subhuman
You're jumping into the subhuman race
Brothers hear my story, but don't you take no pity out on me
A soldier knows the feeling to get pushed out in a field
Taking liberties; burned by your dictation
12 Breakin' Down (04:30)
What was it you once said,
That there would be things in life that can't be.
Not for a second did I, believe you.
Not for a minute did, I believe that.
Within your need, you lie alone.
This empty space, you call, your home.
If you just let me in,
I wouldn't let you break down.
'Cause I'm breakin' down.
As if you thought the rain could wash away the day,
And could heal you.
Not for a second did I, believe it.
Not for a minute did, I believe that.
Within your need, you lie alone.
This empty space, you call, your home.
If you just let me in,
I wouldn't let you break down.
'Cause I'm breakin' down.
If you just let me in,
I wouldn't let you break down.
'Cause I'm breakin' down.
What was it you once said,
That there would be things in life, that can't be.
Not for a second did I, believe you.
Not for a minute did I, believe that.
If you just let me in,
I wouldn't let you break down.
'Cause I'm breakin' down.
If you just let me in,
I wouldn't let you break down.
'Cause I'm breakin' down.
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