WARRANT
"Ultraphobic"
(CMC Records; 1995)
Reviewed by Jeff Rogers
Just because "Ultraphobic" failed to chart doesn't mean that this release swaggered any less than
Warrant's previous releases. You can hear some elements of King's X all over this bad boy.
Unfortunately, It just happened to be released when nobody wanted to hear
Warrant's style of pop metal anymore.
"Ultraphobic" has a much harder edge than Warrant's other CDs. The
band tried to change with the surging musical tides of the time and didn't rest on the easy surf that got them to the
dance in the first place. Warrant can flat blast a song out, delivering a sound
that some might consider "forced" but really isn't.
The guitars here are still powerful. Short little burst
solos appear throughout the disc. Nothing has been compromised. Jani even has a rougher edge to his voice but still uses his pipes in
fine form.
There are a few tracks that have a blues feel here, like "Crawlspace."
It’s a gutsy move for Warrant but they deliver it with style. "High" would be their power
ballad; it's genuine Warrant. A little note: After the song "Ultraphobic" ends at
3:22 (it's supposed to be 4:25), a minute of silence ensues but don't think the disc is over just yet. The
final track, "Stronger Now," is a acoustic ditty featuring just Jani and his guitar.
The best songs on the CD are "Undertow," "Sum Of One," and "High."
Warrant: Jani Lane, Erik Turner, Jerry Dixon, Rick Steier, James Kottack, and David White.
For more information, check out http://www.warrantweb.net.
"Cherry
Pie" (Columbia; 1990)
Reviewed by Jeff Rogers
You may be wondering why I'm reviewing this CD at this late date. The answer is simple: "Cherry Pie" rocks and you probably just put it in your "not listening to that selection anymore" file and forgot about it because glam rock is dead. Well, the scene may be, but the music will never die.
"Cherry Pie" was both the high and
the low point for Warrant. Marriages broke up, the band went its separate ways
-- it's all too much drama for me, but what was left was a great CD. You know half the
songs and you couldn't turn the radio on without hearing them.
This CD has great guitar and excellent vocals throughout. It's well-produced and it deserves another spin in your CD player.
An ode to Tipper Gore and her "Parental Advisory" stickers rounds out this
disc.
"Cherry Pie" may be the best tongue-in-cheek song ever recorded. Point of trivia: The song intro comes from Warrant's debut CD, "D.R.F.S.R." (If you need a translation, check out www.warrantweb.net for the answer). "Cherry Pie" has great guitar and one of the best short solos that C.C. Deville ever let fly from his flanges.
“Uncle Tom's Cabin” is a song that just plain stomps you into a mess. It has some awesome picking and a banjo starting things off, but get
ready: A ripping guitar comes in and never stops its assault. Plus the lyrics
are a great story about the Bayou. Jani can sing like no one else and he still can.
“Train, Train” is a Blackfoot track covered by Warrant, and covered well.
The best slices are “Cherry Pie,” “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” “I Saw Red,” and “Mr. Rainmaker.”
Warrant: Jani, Erik, Joey, Steven, and Jerry.
For more information, check out www.warrantweb.net.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2007 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
