Fabulous 2 disc reissue, taking the band's 1995 release 'Musically Incorrect' and 1997 release 'Endangered Species' and pairing them up in one excellent package.
 
Disc one, 'Musically Incorrect' polarised fan opinion when released.
Clearly an anomaly, it gave the finger to the cold, contemporary rock of the time and strived to create melodic, organic hard rock with audible connections to the classics of the genre's past.
 
It's not 'Black Tiger' and it's not 'Mean Streak'. But it's not trying to be either.
It's self referential, but you can hear bands like The Beatles and Led Zeppelin in the room, finessing a guitar intro or ramming home a bone hard riff.
This is as near to a stream of consciousness Y&T album as we'll probably ever get, with most songs hewn from elongated jam sessions, pared down (though there are 4 tracks here that run past 5 minutes) then shaped and formed into recognisable rock songs.
The picks come early on. Seven minute opener, 'Long Way Down's lyrical fall from grace is reflected in a pulsating, descending bass line and a dirty, funky riff. Despite its similar duration, 'Fly Away' starts out in guitar shaped Beatle-esque fashion before mutating into a hulking, hard rock blues machine.

'Quicksand' takes elements from pop and rock. The Knack coming face to face with Hendrix somewhere helluva close to Kashmir.
The hard riding, sexually explicit 'Cold Day In Hell' carries the hard rock torch into the middle of the album, but we have to wait until we get to closing duo, 'Confusion' and 'No Regrets' before the testosterone begins pumping again and the hot, steamy riffs start making us sweat once more.
 
1997's'Endangered Species' returned to the conventional format, albeit with a metallised sheen.
Sharp, rudely direct hard rock, played with conviction. It's brimming over with memorable melodies and spiralling axework.
The album's lyrics and attitude clearly come from the post grunge era. Clear eyed, realistic, observational, they pass opinions on contemporary American attitudes - everything from OJ Simpson's trial to the true value of friendship.
 
Standout tracks there are many.
If your head doesn't start banging or your foot start tapping to 'Black Gold', check yourself for a heartbeat.   
'Something For Nothing's juggernaut riff just scatters everything in its wake and 'Gimme The Beat' sweeps away the leftovers.
But the old school Y&T sound of 'Sail On By', 'Still Falling' and 'Can't Stop The Rain' still cut the proverbial mustard.
No question, those sinuous meolodies and that sparkling guitarwork send a genuine shiver down your spine. Works for me. Every time.

Written by Brian
Sunday, June 22, 2008
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Ratings

Brian: 7.5/10

Members: No members have rated this album yet.

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