Like a thunderclap from the glam metal blue, Chris Laney's "Pure" came out of nowhere as one of the unexpected surprise must-have albums of 2009 that not enough people bought, but certainly should have. A blistering collection of perfectly produced 80s rock tracks that featured in turn, seething attitudes, bouncy infectious choruses and creamy melodies. Laney worked over a five week period (or so) slaving over his follow-up, also known as solo album number two.
"
Only Come Out at Night" is a fine disc (and reference how you can only become your adult self once the sun has slipped below the horizon), it is not quite up to "Pure's" instant classic standards. Was the rush-job the reason why this one doesn't feel as top of the crop as the debut? The album is one long string of very nice songs, but the "shock and awesome" tactical factor has been reduced somewhat and the variety has also been whittled back. There's nothing as daringly different as "Last Man Standing" or as gritty and angry as "Pissed At What You Missed" either, which is a shame. The bar was set so high, that reaching it seemed like an impossible mission as it was. But "Pure" required a few dozen listens to attain its status and thus
perhaps "Only Come Out at Night" requires the same allotment of time to truly become one with your soul as well.
"Only Come Out At Night", is the opening song and a super charged title track. An infectious silky chorus that has an impenetrable wall of sound carries the main hook. The song is about how your true colors only show after the sun has slipped beneath the horizon (or else it is about vampires, either way, it rocks). The sassy, sexually predatory
"Love So Bad" puts the bite and venom snap in this Ratt/Motley Crue-esque naughty song that is destined to be a favorite with pole dancers' everywhere. There are fangs glittering under the surface that's glitter slick.
The anthemic
"Rockstar" has the big overwrought production, slamming bass and wickedly teasing guitar riffs. Laney's gritty vocals give the track character and his "rock star" personality has all the subtletly of a hammer. It may have been made with product endorsement in mind (Rockstar energy drink), but the song itself manages to speak for itself, as the rock star ego, proposed to be shared, becomes an addictive high riding on starstruck promise that draws the listener into the song. Commercialized, yes, but still blood pumping fun.
"B4 It's Too Late" has sweet hushed vocals and ambient piano that whispers a soft ballad, and then WHAM! An absolutely massive chorus sweeps in and takes it screaming joyously into power ballad territory.
"Eyes Out Poppin" is average glam/punk rock stuff. This one seems a likely candidate to become a fun live track. However amongst these heavy hitters, it is B-side quality here, and is certainly quite a few steps down from the previous four smashers.
"One Kiss Tonight" puts the delight back into the music, with waves of
Def Leppard AOR-ish melodic "Adrenalize" touches and a lovely killer chorus to whip it into pure rock magic, complete with its sugar sparkles and flirting with romance.
"Gotta Run" is fast and energetic, streamlined and lithe, like a heavy metal cheetah sprinting across the metal wasteland. A rawer, less polished "Run Riot" (
Def Leppard), if you will. It is the walls of guitars that get the spirit humming here.
"Playing With Fire" is akin to
"One Kiss" in the same kind of sleek midtempo-rock flowing style.
"Crush" is quick and dirty, furious and explosive, with a bit of nastiness leaking through the cracks.
"I Had Enuff" whips up some of the ferocity that gave some of "Pure's" tracks such a great sense of pissy swagger, but never comes full bloom into unleashed aggravation as one would hope.
"Day" has a loose 70s rock jam feel and some very cool backing vocals. Chris gets a little help on the lead from Conny Bloom (Electric Boys/Hanoi Rocks) who blends just perfect with Laney. Conny has this lazy, laxadasical deeper masculine purr while Laney is grittier and more energized. A unique piece to end the album, as it doesn't quite fit in with the others, yet has merits of its own that somehow make it a little bit "more" as well.
As a well known producer and engineer (having worked with Candlemass, Therion, Crashdiet, Bruce Kulick,
Steevi Jaimz from Tigertailz and many others), winner of two Swedish Grammys (and nominated for seven), an accomplished guitarist in his own right (Randy Piper's Animal, Zan Clan) and having sold double platinum as a songwriter, Laney really needs no introduction or anything else added to his credential list. But with great solo cds like "Pure" and now
"Only Come Out at Night" under his belt, it makes you wish he would spend a little more time with his own ideas instead of thinning himself out on others quite so much. Pound for pound, it can't stand on the same platform as "Pure" but it's not too far from it. The Laney craving is somewhat satiated, but still raging, as personally, I just can't wait for disc number three.
Written by
Alanna Saturday, May 15, 2010
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