Slik Toxik: Smooth & Deadly

I remember "borrowing" cassette as a kid, no more than eight years old, and jamming out. Of course, when my parents discovered I had it, I wouldn't see it again until I was much older. Canada's Slik Toxik's sound is the classic sleaze that the late 80's very early 90's was churning out at the time. Fun, party inducing metal/rock that any fan of Skid Row, Poison, or Ratt would love. "Big Fucking Deal" and "Riff Raff" are by far the highlights here, but "Rachel's Breathing" is also a great song.  I remember when I was in my early twenties I stumbled across the original cassette and finally relistened to this gem. For years, I could always remember the course of "Big Fucking Deal", but couldn't remember where I had heard it, so when that song pumped out of my speakers, my years of wondering were happily answered.

Highlights: "Big Fucking Deal" "Riff Raff" "Rachel's Breathing" 

Rating: 3.5

Sea Hags: Sea Hags

Sleaze rock right during the second push of the Glam Metal movement. Sea Hags's sound fits the narrative of the time, accompanying acts such as; Guns N' Roses, Junkyard and Dangerous Toys. Pretty much what you would expect; glam metal with a little bluesy influence which is well done, but much like any movement (thrash, death) the sound began to wear thin. Glam fans should check it out.

Highlights: "Half The Way Valley", "Too Much T-Bone"

Rating: 2.5

Slammin' Gladys: Slammin' Gladys

Ah, Slammin' Gladys. One of the earliest pieces of heavy metal/hard rock I can remember jamming out to. I was 8 or 9 at the time and remember looking at the CD and wondering "why is that lady happy about being run over by a train?" LOL Sexual innuendos aside, Slammin' Gladys plays a very melodic hard rock with elements of blues added into the mix. A little too heavy to be glam rock, but not quite heavy metal, so ultimately, Hair Metal. David Brooks's vocals are a blend of glam and aggressiveness, which make them perfect for this album. The riffs on this album still get my blood pumping such as "Bet Your Life" or "Bad Attitude". There is an interesting cover of "Piece of My Heart", which was originally performed by Erma Franklin (Aretha's older sister) and was covered by Janis Joplin (along with a few others). Slammin' Gladys has stated that their rendition of the song is a cover of Joplin's cover of the song, so I guess it would be a cover of a cover? At any rate, not a bad take on the song itself. Songs like "Love Is My Drug" and "Lay Me Down (In The Roses)" show off their 80's rock influences while "Where Were U" and "Push" add a little more metal into the mix.  There are a few ballad type songs here such as "Down On Your Knees" and "What U Need". Honestly, this is not super original, but I'll be damned if it isn't fun and catchy. If this had dropped in the 80's, I have no doubt they would have had more success. Any fan of Warrant, Skid Row or any other of the numerous hair metal bands that dominated the 80's and early 90's would definitely get a kick out of this album.

Highlights: "Bet Your Life" "Bad Attitude" "Where Were U"

Rating: 4