"Out of the Cellar" might have put them on the map, but this sounds to my ears as the superior album, despite having a more stream lined arena rock sound and working off a distinct formula. The first two songs are bonafide slappers, and then the iconic "Lay it Down" which is a way better song than "Round and Round" if we are weighing singles. What this makes this a better album is even the filler like "Give It All" is better than some of the main courses on "Out of the Cellar" not mention the filler here has more substance than the filler on the previous album. With more grit in the production of the guitars , and a warmer more organic sound than what was popular when this album was made would find the album sitting even prettier than it does.
"Closer to My Heart" had guitars ringing out in a more distinct 80s manner. The pre-chorus provides a great sense of steamy tension and Pearcy's melody works well,. He was never the best metal singer , but works well with the range he does has. The pam muted chug of "Between the Eyes" is not reinventing the rock wheel, but it works well for the song. "What You Give is What You Get" is the first song that loses the momentum. When this album came out I played the hell out of it, but this is the first song that does not hold up under my full grown critical adult ears. "Got Me on the Line' finds their metal refined to a pop level. It's the definitive sound for the 80s rock.
When this album came out "You Should Know By Now' got stuck in my head all the time. It has a more rock n roll feel to it. This paved the way for Cinderella and Guns N Roses more than what Motley Crue did. This one get's a 9.5, as it is not a perfect album if we are measuring it up against the all time greats but it's one of this band's best
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