20 GRIT

Soon we'll start a new section of interviews here at Rock The Nights and no act could be better to open than one of the most interesting bands coming from the L.A. area... 20 GRIT are vocalist Brooks Slamm, a true man of music, Tommy Martin, the guy before the mask and responsible of guitar work, bassist Lou Papai and drummer Joe "The Force" Maietta.
The music displayed by these guys could be described as raw, dark and powerfull but wrapped in melody, just take a listen to Beyond Disorder, Round And Round or my favorite, Come Alive... a shot to your brain!! so visit them at Reverbnation (http://www.reverbnation.com/20grit) turn up the volume to 10 and enjoy this killer band!!  

Stay tune for the interview with 20 GRIT coming soon...

Links:
www.20grit.com
www.facebook.com/20grit


Beyond Disorder

ZZ TOP - La Futura (Release: Sep. 11, Universal)

After 9 years hiatus the most famous beards in the world are back with an album full of boggie and raw southern rock. The album is produced by Rick Rubin and Billy Gibbons and was recorded at Shangri La studios in Malibu. According to Gibbons the album title is the way he would say "the future" in Tex-Mex... La Futura and it's supposed to be the melding of their classic sound with the new technologies.

Sound and freshness of songs is far from their albums from the 80's and early 90's, don't spect for a new Legs or Stages so if you are a diehard fan of ZZ Top this album will be of your likeness but if you are new to these guys you will need more than just one listen.
Four tracks of this album were released as part of an itunes compilation released a couple of months ago and titled Texicali, these songs are I Gotsta Get Paid, Chartreuse, Consumption and Over You.
Classic sound for the returning of these three guys.

Sounds:

GLASS TIGER - Then Now Next (Released Aug, 21)

Back in business after some vacations... and this re-strating couldn't be with better news than the returning of one of the most awesome canadian bands, Glass Tiger. Though what the guys have just released it's a compilation this time it comes with some new tracks (I Take It Back, Love Is On The Way, Stand Up, You've Got To Hide Your Love Away) plus two (Healing Hands, So Blind) from Alan Few's solo effort Hold On.
First single released to promote this album is I Take It Back a catchy cut with contemporary production and with no doubt the best of the new material, though Love Is On The Way it's another very interesting track. You've Got To Hide Your Love Away is a worthy cover by The Beatles song while Stand Up is a little weak... this cut could have been taken from Few's album instead of any of Glass Tiger's efforts.
Special attention to Few's voice... impressive!!

Sounds:

KENNY LOGGINS - Back to Avalon (Released: 1988, Columbia)

Once known as the sountrack guy, Kenny Loggins released this gem back in '88. Proof to his nickname is that this album contains two tracks that were released as single from to successful soundtracks, the masterpiece Nobody's Fool (Hot 100 # 8 ) from Caddyshack II and Meet Me Halfway (Hot 100 # 11) originally released as part of Over the Top soundtrack.
The album reached USA # 63 while two other singles were released I'm Gonna Miss You reaching Hot 100 # 82 and Tell Her Hot 100 # 76.
Special attention to Hope for the Runaway an anthem of Soft AOR.








Sounds






Nobody's Fool (official video)  
Meet Me Halfway (official video)

STYX - Edge of the Century (Released: 1990, A&M)

After a hiatus of 7 years and recorded since April 1989 to August 1990 this album was some kind of swan song for the band. Due sales weren't impressive 3 singles were released enjoying massive success Love Is The Ritual Hot 100 # 80, the monster ballad Show Me The Way Hot 100 # 3 and the impressive Love At First Sight Hot 100 # 25, this is the last single reaching the Hot 100 by Styx to date.
Show Me The Way made Styx one of the few artists that placed a Top 10 single in 3 different decades.
Awesome album by an impressive band.









Sounds





Love At First Sight (official video)

Show Me The Way (official video)  
Love Is The Ritual (official video)

MICHAEL MONROE - No Fakin' It (Released: 1989, PolyGram)

This guy from Helsinki and once vocalist for Hanoi Rocks released his second album Not Fakin' It back in '89. The album didn't enjoy much success reaching only USA # 161 though it's an interesting work with some amazing tunes.
















Sounds






Man With No Eyes (official video)

Dead Jail or Rock 'N' Roll (official video)

FOREIGNER - With Heaven On Our Side

From their album Very Best & Beyond released in '92 this beautiful single only released USA # 103. Those were the last days of the magnificent combo formed by Lou Gramm and Mick Jones that released their last studio album together two years later.