(1990)
Janick Gers: Guitars
Andy Carr: Bass
Fabio del Rio: Drums
2. Tattooed Millionaire (Dickinson/Gers)
3. Born in '58 (Dickinson/Gers)
4. Hell on Wheels (Dickinson/Gers)
5. Gypsy Road (Dickinson/Gers)
6. Dive! Dive! Dive! (Dickinson/Gers)
7. All the Young Dudes (David Bowie)
8. Lickin' the Gun (Dickinson/Gers)
9. Zulu Lulu (Dickinson/Gers)
10. No Lies (Dickinson)
The first song kicks in and gives a false first impression of what the rest of the album's going to be like. Son of a Gun is a very very good song, with interesting lyrics and a very serious tone (even if the chorus is a little silly, it doesn't compare to most of the album). The drumming and bass are both very solid and Jan throws out some nice licks and very good clean acoustic parts, as well as a good solo. The ending perhaps drags out a little, but it's nothing serious and only begins to stick out after repeated listening. The intro of this song would later become the verse for Wasting Love.
Next up is the title track, and the goofy manner of the album is starting to become apparant. Still, Tattooed Millionaire does have a serious lyrical undertone, even if Bruce's wrds are somewhat tonge-in-cheek. It's a great song with a fantastic vibe, brilliant chorus and and crazy solo. It's no wonder Bruce always plays it live. It has a sing along factor of 1,000,000.
Now, again the album strays into serious territory. And actually, Born in '58 has fantastic lyrics. Certainly some of the best Bruce had written at this point. It really is a great song, and thankfully was included on the Best of. The melody after the second chorus would later become a part of Montsegur. Best song on the album I think.
Right. Now the albums begins to get a little silly. Hell on Wheels and Gypsy Road are quite nice songs, with pretty silly riffing and fun lyrics. Gypsy Road in particular has a semi-serious tone, but it really is just silly and can't be taken seriously.
Dive! Dive! Dive! is probably where the album really starts to get stupid. It's a great song, which is just generally completely ludicrous. Bruce's sexual inuendo has probably never been so apparant as it is here, especially the talking and the beginning and end. Still, I'd love to hear it live once more, mainly because it would be so funny.
Next there's a David Bowie cover (which may be a cover of a cover, although I don't think so) which is also completely stupid. Jan's melody, right from the start, is so funny and never fails to amuse me. I do think the end fades out to slowly though. I'm not sure if this was the case with Bowie's version, but it does mean there's quite a bit of silence before the next track...
...which I suppose may have been a good idea, considering Lickin' the Gun is up to the standard of Dive! Dive! Dive! Ridiculous lyrics and stupid riffing is the aim here, and it succeeds. A truly hilarious song. Zulu Lulu is probably one of the silliest song titles ever, and what a song it is. In fact, I've listened to it at least twice this week.
The album closes with No Lies, which goes back to the albums serious beginnings. Although there's still an air of fun with the song, even if the lyrics are rather good and have rather serious matter. It has quite a spectacular instrumental section as well actually, and the bass is really good throughout the song (even if it is a bit similar to Bring Your Daughter... To the Slaughter).
So there you have it. It's a stupid album, but very enjoyable. Actually, I do wonder if the record company who asked Bruce to do a whole album because they liked Bring Your Daughter wanted a jokey album. Well I suppose they must have been pleased, otherwise they would have gotten Bruce to change things. Anyway, it's is a great album, but not a record to be taken seriously. The b-sides for the singles are very nice as well, especially Winds of Change and Darkness Be My Friend. And of course the blues piss-take Ballad of Mutt.