Year : 1991 (Warner Bros. Records Edition)
Style : Sleaze Hard Rock
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 110 mb
Bio:
Radio Active Cats is a hard rock/sleaze rock band from Burbank, California, USA.The band later changed its name to Tv In Flames.Radio Active Cats was formed in the USA in 1991.They released a self-titled album in 1991, Radio Active Cats.The band changed their name to TV In Flames and released Drool in 1993.
Album:
Debut full-length album.If someone were to ask,“Who’s heard of the band RADIO ACTIVE CATS?”, chances are almost no one in the room would respond. And that wouldn’t be surprising: RADIO ACTIVE CATS is an American quartet that released only one album (the one I’m reviewing here, as it happens) during its brief career before fading into obscurity.RADIO ACTIVE CATS is one of those ultra-rare early ’90s American hard rock bands that had the misfortune of making their recording debut just as grunge was poised to supplant traditional hard rock in terms of popularity.Featuring Shel Graves (vocals, guitar), Ian Espinoza (guitar, mandolin), Ron Maldonado (bass), and Michael Graves (drums), the RADIO ACTIVE CATS lineup released their first (and only) self-titled album on Warner Bros., and its cover art certainly catches the eye because it’s original and funny (at least, that’s my personal opinion).Musically, this American quartet isn’t particularly original, but at least it has the merit of immersing us in the bluesy roots of hard rock ’n’ roll. Singer Shel Graves’ voice comes across quite well, and the guitar sound is a pleasure to listen to. As standout tracks, we’d gladly mention “Shotgun Shack,” whose intro has a bit of a Louisiana vibe, the upbeat “Bed Of Roses” with its strong Southern rock accents,“Standin’ In The Rain” with its irresistible guitar riffs, the bluesy and festive “Love Razor,” and “Cheap Mascara,” which leans more toward California-style hard/glam.To smooth things over, RADIO ACTIVE CATS has thrown in two stylish country tracks: “Hold On Tight” and “Knock Knock,” which give center stage to acoustic guitars and prove—if proof were needed—that no, country music isn’t corny, and that this musical style has real merit. As for the album’s true ballad,“Think About Love,” there’s nothing special to say about it, as it strikes me as rather ordinary.Ultimately, there isn’t a single bad track on this well-produced and very cohesive album. The compositions hold up well, and the band members demonstrate strong instrumental skill. That said, the album still lacks a classic track, an anthem. While it’s very pleasant to listen to, it’s not exactly a masterpiece either. Fans of GEORGIA SATELLITES, TESLA, AEROSMITH (70s era), and GREAT WHITE should enjoy this record, even if RADIO ACTIVE CATS didn’t, at first glance, have the same flair as those bands.This American quartet perhaps didn’t deserve to fade away like this: maybe, given time, they could have developed their own musical identity. We’ll never know, in any case, because Warner Bros. didn’t lift a finger to give this band a helping hand. To wrap up this column, I’d like to take this opportunity to vent my frustration at the major labels: what’s the point of them signing bands left and right if they don’t support them when those bands release albums and videos? Then again, it’s hardly surprising that the music industry is in crisis…
Line Up:
Shel Graves - lead vocals, rhythm guitars
Ian Espinoza - lead and slide guitar, mandolin, backging vocals
Ron Maldonado - bass, backging vocals
Michael Graves - drums, percussion, vocals
Production:
Recorded At – Cherokee Studios
Recorded At – Can-Am Recorders
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering
A&R – Roberta Petersen
Art Direction, Design – Janet Levinson
Engineer [Assistant] – John Jackson, Judy Kirschner
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Photography – Andy Earl
Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Andy Wallace
Tracklist:
01. Shotgun Shack
02. Hold On Tight
03. Bed of Roses
04. Finger in the Pie
05. Standin' in the Rain
06. Love Razor
07. Cry on My Shoulder
08. Think About Love
09. Cheap Mascara
10. Knock Knock
11. Wet, Hot Sweat
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