Search - Blue Murder :: Nothin But Trouble

Fantastic listening

bj payton | lou. ky. usa | 06/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"John Sykes is a very talented musician, this album is a work of art, very inspirational, highly recommended listening, this album has some of the finest guitar work ever, can't say enough about his vocals, due yourself a favor BUY THIS!!!!!"

Pretty much what you'd expect from guitar wiz John Sykes

R. Gorham | 08/09/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"THE BAND: John Sykes (guitar, vocals), Marco Mendoza (bass), Nik Green (keyboards), Tommy O'Steen (drums & percussion), Kelly Keeling (lead vocals on "I'm On Fire"). Former members Tony Franklin (bass) and Carmine Appice (drums) also contribute on select tracks.



THE DISC: (1993) 11 tracks clocking in at approximately 55 minutes. Included with the disc is a 6-page booklet containing song titles/credits/times, song lyrics, one band picture, and thank you's. All songs written, arranged, produced by Sykes (except "Itchycoo Park", written by Steve Marriott & Ronnie Lane of The Small Faces, 1967). Label - Geffen.



COMMENTS: Blue Murder was all about bluesy hard rock and melodic heavy metal. Their debut (1989) is/was an overlooked gem. In a time when grunge was taking over the world, I still look back on several long-haired hard rock forgotten albums fondly - and Blue Murder's debut is one of them. "Nothin' To Lose" is a guitar album. John Sykes (Whitesnake/Thin Lizzy/Tygers Of Pan Tang) can shred with the best of them. Mendoza (having played with Sykes in Whitesnake and Thin Lizzy... as well as playing with Ted Nugent) is a nice replacement on bass. However, he's no Tony Franklin (one of my all-time favorite bassists). Franklin brought originality and creativity to the fretless bass guitar... he's the master. O'Steen is an unknown to me, but competent behind the drum kit. Similarly, a good replacement, but he's no Carmine Appice (I put Appice on the same platform as Ian Paice and John Bonham). So outside of front man Sykes and keyboardist Green, everything is changed. With that being said, despite the changes, if you liked their debut, you'll dig "Nothin' But Trouble" as well. Sykes trademark guitar and vocals are stamped all over each song. Lots of great guitar work, ripping solos, and great vocals. Highlights include the fast and heavy opener "We All Fall Down", the power ballad "Runaway", the bluesy "Dance", the rocking "Shouldn't Have Let You Go", and the beautiful (drumless) keyboard and bass album closer "She Knows". Only two small gripes about this album (and perhaps it shouldn't come as a surprise): 1st - the remake of "Itchycoo Park"... I can't stand this song. I almost feel embarrassed for the band. This oldie is more closely geared for the happy-go-lucky Osmonds or Partridge family - not a seasoned hard rock band. Reminds me of when Kiss put the Crystals' 1963 golden oldie "Then She Kissed Me" as the last song on their "Love Gun" album. All I can say is... "What were you thinking?" And 2nd - seems a vast majority of the song lyrics pertains to runaways hooked on drugs, turning tricks, charging for favors by the hour, and Sin City. Track after track - it just gets old (perhaps a little bit of David Coverdale rubbed off on Sykes during his Whitesnake years?). Regardless, fans of John Sykes should grab this album. It's not the blistering statement that their '89 debut was - but outside of the one weak track, it's more of the same of what you'd expect from rock's guitar virtuoso John Sykes (4 stars)."

John Sykes - buy it!

Michael | Australia | 02/27/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Another masterpiece by Sykes. Just buy this CD and listen to the awesome guitars, vocals, and songwriting of John Sykes. He is one of the greatest of all time. Lock yourself into the monster groove of "Cry for love"!! Listen to another huge Sykes signature riff on "I'm on fire"!! You will never stop listening to this stuff. Did I mention blistering super-speed solos?!!"