Leatherwolf's 1989 offering, "Street Ready," hit the scene like a dying gasp in the smog-choked sunset of hair metal's reign. This wasn't a triumphant howl, but a wounded yelp from a band caught in the crossfire between evolving tastes and their own stubborn adherence to a sound on its last legs. But even in its twilight, the album managed to stir up some heat, particularly with tracks that tapped into the lingering hunger for that Sunset Strip swagger.
Gone were the days of their raw, self-titled debut. Gone were the arena rock aspirations of their second attempt. "Street Ready" was a desperate bid for relevance, a frantic scrabble for a foothold in a genre that was rapidly slipping into the abyss of obscurity. It was a desperate attempt to stay afloat, and while it ultimately sank, it left behind a few life rafts in the form of fan-favorite tracks.
The album kicks off with the title track, "Street Ready," a song that tries to recapture the youthful energy of their earlier work. But the magic is gone. The riffs feel tired, the lyrics forced, and the overall vibe is one of desperation. It's like watching a once-proud lion reduced to begging for scraps. Yet, for some die-hard fans, the title track still resonated with its catchy chorus and familiar Leatherwolf sound.
The rest of the album follows suit. "Too Much" tries to be a party anthem, but it falls flat. "Down and Dirty" aims for gritty realism, but it comes across as contrived. "Dr. Wicked (Rx O.D.)" is a ham-fisted attempt at shock rock that fails to shock or rock. But even in these missteps, tracks like "Down and Dirty" managed to garner some attention for their heavier, grittier sound.
There are a few glimmers of hope. "Black Knight" is a decent enough power ballad, and "Haunted Eyes" has a catchy chorus. But these moments are fleeting, quickly overshadowed by the album's overall sense of malaise. "Black Knight," in particular, became a favorite among fans who appreciated the band's softer side.
Leatherwolf's musical chops are still evident. The twin guitar attack of Geoff Gayer and Carey Howe is as impressive as ever, and Michael Olivieri's vocals still soar. But the songwriting is weak, the production is dated, and the overall effect is one of missed opportunities. Despite these flaws, tracks like "Wicked Ways" and "Hideaway" showcased the band's technical skill and Olivieri's powerful vocals, earning them a place in the hearts of some fans.
"Street Ready" is a victim of its time. Released in the midst of grunge's rise, it was doomed from the start. It's a relic of a bygone era, a reminder of what happens when a band clings to a sound that's outlived its relevance. Yet, for those who lived through the era, "Street Ready" remains a nostalgic reminder of a time when hair metal ruled the airwaves.
Despite its flaws, "Street Ready" has its share of fans. Some appreciate its nostalgic value, while others find solace in its unabashed embrace of hair metal clichés. But even the most ardent defenders would admit that it's far from Leatherwolf's finest hour. The album's most popular tracks, like the title track, "Black Knight," and "Down and Dirty," still resonate with fans who appreciate the band's energy and dedication to their craft.
In the end, "Street Ready" is a sad epitaph for a band that once showed so much promise. It's a reminder that even the most talented musicians can fall victim to changing tides. It's a testament to the fickle nature of fame and the unforgiving nature of the music industry. Yet, even in its failure, "Street Ready" serves as a time capsule, capturing the sound and spirit of a genre on the verge of extinction.
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