2021 marks the 30th anniversary of one of Hard Rock’s seminal albums. I was 15 on its release date. So not only does this collection of songs have a special place within Rock history - they also hold a special place within my memories as a music lover.
Coming off the back of a commercially successful debut, this album seemed to have so much more to say. There was a real critical anger, a joyful fuck off attitude and more introspective moments that dealt with topics such as religion and abuse.
The opening track, Monkey business, does not mess about. It starts off slow…” Outside my window, there’s a whole lot of trouble coming. The cartoon killers and the Rag cover clones. Stack heels kickin’ rhythm. of social circumcision. Can’t close the closet on a shoe box full of bones…” The song then really cranks it up and we are off. There is a wide eyedness, the band are starting to make their way through a warzone.
The second track, Slave To The Grind, does not let up. It is a rallying cry against the nine to five, with the punchline, “You can’t be king of the world if you're a slave to the grind.” As a young man about to enter the adult world of work, it was a kick in the ass. The song came as a warning, not to get stuck into the routine, to go for it… to try and live your dreams.
The Threat comes through as a heavy but funkier number. It talks about the trials and tribulations of someone standing up to authority. It is also a song about self empowerment. Once you make your stand, once you fully recognise your power… you can also be treated as a threat. This is not a song about passive compliance. It’s a deadly manifestation of a rock’n’roll song.
The first ballad of the album, Quicksand Jesus, is not a bog standard song about lost love. Rather, it is about loss of religious faith. The song struggles between the natural wonder of the universe: “Tell me now, who is behind the rain?” then swings to, “Are we ashamed of our own fate?” This is such a mature song for such a young band. It does not play up the standard tropes of a glam metal band. It is really saying something and hitting the target square in the jaw.
Psycho Love brings back a touch of funk heaviness. The lyrics paint a bleak picture, of someone zoned out, drugged and drunk. There is a madness to this way of living."As the warm smooth soul chases through the cold silence of a body. A body of touch not feel. One question, is she a stone in the devil's garden?" The song paints a picture of a living nightmare.
Get The Fuck Out is the low point of the album. Not because of the repeated use of the F word but because of the sexism. It is hard to know in what world you can justify lines such as, “Why you walkin’ funny? You must have spent some time with the boys in the crew.” I have heard arguments that the song is “in character” and that women in such abusive relationships should get out of these circumstances. I think there is too much enjoyment taken in the imagery for such an argument to be convincing, however. I am not even sure if the band themselves were convinced. One the day of the album’s release, there was a ‘clean version’ put out which replaced this song with the track, “Beggars Day.” This song did cause controversy and even lead to the band being banned from ever playing Wembley again.
Living on a Chain Gang picks up the pace again, and starts what would have been side B of the album. This song begins with the same theme of the world being an unjust and harsh place. The world is fucked, and tells a story from the perspective of the victim living in an unjust society.
Creepshow is the third track with a funky influence. The song tells of being zoned out, this time by wasting time sitting in front of a television. Watching a ‘reality chat show.’ It tells the story of someone, wanting to escape the harsh realities but becoming diminished by living a wasteful existence.
The best song of the album and the second ‘ballad’ of three is In A Darkened Room. It has sensitive lyrics that describe the emotional life of a victim of abuse, a victim who feels disconnected from their religious faith, banished to a sort of purgatory. “Tell me when the kiss of love becomes a lie.” No amount of critical review can do this song justice.
Riot Act is a good rocker, playful, youthful… perhaps the song which has most in common with Skid Row’s first album. It is good without being great. It is fun though.
But the best riff is saved for Mudkicker. It is also one of Bach’s best vocal performances. The theme of the song chimes with the album, but the song ultimately works because of how full on it is. “Mudkicker kick, here is mud in your eyes!”
Wasted Time is a beautiful and fulfilling ending. It concludes with the sentiment, “I think back to the times, when dreams were what mattered. Though talking - youth naivete.” It is like an adult now, looking back to these youthful times, feeling a sense of loss. It is worth remembering that very young men wrote and played this song. I remember at the time, playing this track over and over again. Thirty years later, I am still tempted to do that.
As a whole, I love this album. It challenges me, still, in so many different ways. It is not a perfect album and has some very serious flaws. I am glad of its existence, however. It reminds me that in all of our lives, even when we make some very serious mistakes, there can still be an ultimate intrinsic value when we are being our most human.
