Steevi Jaimz is best known for being the vocalist for TigerTailz and while most of these guys have moved on (or modernized as some cases would be), Steevi has done neither.  His solo disc has the rough-round the edges (low production values) of a 1980s glam disc and all the spirit of such contained within just waiting to be unleashed. This leads to some authenticity in re-creating that party-sex-glitz sound but it comes up short when compared to others in the genre. And the genre does indeed still exist (despite many who claim otherwise, they also claim ignorance on the subject, if you were to ask me).
 
Take a look at Wig Wam, The Poodles and even the parody band Steel Panther and get back to me on that. However, the one guy you have to credit in giving a boost of attitude to Jaimz's "My Private Hell" is Chris Laney who offers up backing vocals that ignite songs that otherwise would have been a flat mess without his arrogance blasting through in back.  Laney also plays bass, guitar and drums along with Anders Ringman (Candlemass), and the two of them handled production.  Jaimz just handles his voice, which is enough. 

Jaimz' voice is not particularly high pitchy shrill, gutteral nor the throaty aggression that Laney possesses. He's somewhere in the middle, being very masculine sounding but hitting the lower portion of the higher notes as well. Not incredible, but his voice is pleasant and he gets the job done (just as he did in Tigertailz, amazing!!). That's why Chris sounds so great in contrast to him, and he pops up often, as the songs utilize the gang vocals to maximum effect. The music criss crosses the glamscape and rock subgenres of the 80s, pulling out some 'tude a'la Motley Crue and the big gang vox of Def Leppard. Jaimz does some Joe Elliot-style phrasing on a handful of tracks too. It is all mostly in good fun, and fluff music to be taken with an ounce of seriousness and a whole lot of nostalgia trippin'.
 
Songs like the KISS-y "Still Crazy", the Van Halen punch on "Little Sistah", the romping "Kiss of Death", and the big choruses of the swaggering "Dancin' With Danger" all rev up the glitter and personality of dozens of 80s acts, from Ratt to Cinderella and back again. They push few boundaries (being typical sleaze but not ~too~ sleazy), and are fairly run of the mill. It is nice though to hear some new material along these lines.

The good stuff comes in a triple punch. "Something Good Something Bad" is the most melodically functional song on the album, pouncing out at you with a big catchy chorus, some delirious guitar riffs and absolutely killer and full frontal use of Laney on backing vocals just blasting out at every passing opportunity. Hook filled and packing the heat of great melodies, this is by far the snazziest track on the album. Would very much like to hear it re-done and given a proper production to pop this one out. It's far too cool of a song to be relegated to this low budget album.
 
"My Private Hell"'s unforgivable guitar posturing and razor cutting riffs gets it going and then a sprinkle of keys lighten it up. Another snappy chorus keeps this one fresh and thunderin'. "I Don't Wanna Walk Away" is the ballad, a big fussy one with pianos, layered acoustic guitars, cooing replies of "ahhhs" and "ooohs", and sugary vocals. This is probably Steevi Jaimz's "Headed for a Heartbreak" (mixed with "Tonight"). He pulls off all the Leppard worship just nicely and the familiar-yet-new feel of the track is a nice mix. Also of note is the kind of repetitive little track at the end, the "Kikk It Down" which melts down Y&T, Bulletboys and XYZ into a slick hair anthem which rallies the attitude and hard rock love that pumps through the rock lover's veins like some pretty poison.

"I'll...blow...you...away!!" Well perhaps that's a bit extreme, but Steevi's "My Private Hell" is definitely an enjoyable disc with its Dirty Harry references and glittery swagger. A couple of sure-fire winners on board this one too. Give it a whirl if 80s hair metal was your pulse and heart during that decade, but only after checking out Chris Laney's far superior "Pure" first. This is definitely a nice lil disc to whet your appetite til the next Laney makes it to shelves anyway.

Written by Alanna
Thursday, February 25, 2010
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Ratings

Alanna: 7/10

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