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Long before the release of XYZ's 1989 self-titled debut CD, produced
by Don Dokken, the group battled with their own struggles for stardom
and the attainment of a record deal. The original band members --
Terry Ilous (v), Bob Pieper (g), Pat Fontaine (b) and Joey Pafumi
-- originally had a development deal with Atlantic Records to record
and release a record, but Atlantic Records shelved the album.
After
many years, Bob Pieper eventually bought the rights to this album.
Now, XYZ fans have the opportunity to hear the band as they developed
from a young street tough band to the eventual group that landed
on Enigma Records.
Rainy
Days was recorded between 1984 and 1985, a full 4 to 5 years
before their Enigma debut. One of the glaring changes in the line-up
was the departure of Bob Pieper from the group before the 1989 CD
release. It can be said that it is a risky endeavor for artists
to release material that either never made it off the cutting room
floor or in this case a CD (that was never released) that displays
the band in its defining moments of creation and musical discovery.
The
risk was well worth it. At times Rainy Days is raw and
sounds dated. The drums have that heavy metal sound that made the
snare sound like a canon (signature trademark of '80s metal records).
Obvious assessments include vocalist Terry Ilous voice being raw
in some areas, his voice having not reached the level of maturity
that he sings at today.
The
overall song structure and guitar sound is very similar to XYZ’s
Enigma release. Guitarist Pieper handles the fret work flawlessly,
all though the tonality of the guitar is sometimes suspect, but
you can blame that on the production. The production is rough and
not as polished as releases from that time period. So, it is hard
to judge this as a demo release or a full fledged studio release,
adding another reason why your judgment of Rainy Days can
be affected or altered by whatever classification that you would
place the CD.
So
what is there to like? Plenty. The opening track “Wild”
is an up tempo rocker. The song features a ripping ‘80s style
guitar solo. Track 2 “Crazy” has a heavy, progressive
intro reminiscent of Judas Priest with its swirling opening lead
guitars, wind and heavy power chords. The ballad and title track
“Rainy Days” slows down the progression of the CD; the
song has a great solo featuring dual lead guitars and leads into
a personal favorite “Where Did We Go Wrong,” another
mid tempo rocker.
Up
next “Dynamite,” “You Belong To Me” and
“Hot to Hot.” “You Belong to Me” is yet
another ballad. “Dynamite” and “Hot to Hot”
are average rock songs. “Just a Friend” is a “?”…another
ballad you guessed it. A pretty good song shows off Terry Ilous
voice and the future possibilities. “High Life” has
a keyboard dominated intro and similar to rock song from the same
era. “Lonely Without You” also opens with keys and backing
rhythm guitars and the keys play throughout the song and are really
prevalent in the chorus.
“Souvenirs”
the original version of XYZ's classic, originally co-written by
Bob Pieper, is up next and is a less polished version of its successor.
Still, it’s not a bad version. Closing out the CD “Never
Too Late,” features Ilous vocals sung over a keyboard. And
yet again, this shows off Ilous’s vocal talent.
What
you hear is certainly what you get. And it will be up to your own
ears to decide whether the music appeals to you. It definitely adds
history to band that has seen only a few releases in its career.
Overall, you will be taken back to a great era for rock n’
roll.
Featuring: Bobby Pieper – Guitars, Joey Pafumi – Drums,
Terry Ilous – Vocals, Patt Fontaine – Bass
Produced by: Joe Mendyk, George Tutko, John Goodenough
Purchase
a copy here ... www.oneflightupguitars.com
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