A classic second-in-command rocker in the tradition of Keith Richards and Johnny Thunders, Little Steven has also made a mark apart from his erstwhile boss, the Boss. The man also known as Miami Steve Van Zandt had a major... more » hand in Southside Johnny's bar-band masterwork Hearts of Stone, was the linchpin in 1985's Artists United Against Apartheid project, and lead his own group, the Disciples of Soul, for a time after his 1984 departure from the E Street Band. Largely out of the picture through the 1990s, Little Steven returns with a solo outing that rocks harder and is more inflamed lyrically than one might have expected from this long-AWOL warrior. Van Zandt's liner notes lay out his mission--to doff his bandana in the direction of the '60s rockers who helped shape his consciousness, from Cream to the Kinks to Jefferson Airplane. At the same time, he maintains the confrontational political stance that's been in evidence since the days of Sun City. Hence there's the title track ("Look around at the volunteered slavery") and "The Camouflage of Righteousness" ("We give you politicians and you call it a choice / We let you do the voting and you think you have a voice"). With this Savage attack, Little Steven fights the good fight and remains standing. --Steven Stolder« less
A classic second-in-command rocker in the tradition of Keith Richards and Johnny Thunders, Little Steven has also made a mark apart from his erstwhile boss, the Boss. The man also known as Miami Steve Van Zandt had a major hand in Southside Johnny's bar-band masterwork Hearts of Stone, was the linchpin in 1985's Artists United Against Apartheid project, and lead his own group, the Disciples of Soul, for a time after his 1984 departure from the E Street Band. Largely out of the picture through the 1990s, Little Steven returns with a solo outing that rocks harder and is more inflamed lyrically than one might have expected from this long-AWOL warrior. Van Zandt's liner notes lay out his mission--to doff his bandana in the direction of the '60s rockers who helped shape his consciousness, from Cream to the Kinks to Jefferson Airplane. At the same time, he maintains the confrontational political stance that's been in evidence since the days of Sun City. Hence there's the title track ("Look around at the volunteered slavery") and "The Camouflage of Righteousness" ("We give you politicians and you call it a choice / We let you do the voting and you think you have a voice"). With this Savage attack, Little Steven fights the good fight and remains standing. --Steven Stolder
"For long time followers of Little Steven you won't be surprised that this album has very load guitars. It is recorded in the power trio format - bass, drums and guitar. The band is a top notch band consisting of Little Steve, Jason Bonham and Adam Clayton of U2 on bass.What is surprising, if not a bit disappointing, is that in the past, Little Steve, even when rocking hard, always had a soulful bent to the music. He is one of the great contemporary R&B/Soul writers and arrangers we have. This album does not showcase those abilities. The music is hard and jarring at times. With no keyboards or even background vocals to soften the edges, this album forces you to listen to the words and the riffs - of which there are plenty.Overall, not as musically varied as he is capable of. Compared to his other efforts, this doesn't quite measure up. However, let it be said that if he were a young buck putting this album out early in a career without his past musical reference points, this would find it's way onto hard rock play lists of stations everywhere and we would be excited about this new young talent. The album rocks!"
Salvation!
Rich Kortz | Pennsylvania | 02/25/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In the same way Bruce Springsteen creates a sound wholly his own while tapping influences that mean a great deal to him, his brother-in-arms Little Steven has taken inspiration from the likes of Led Zeppelin, The Kinks, Steppenwolf and AC/DC and has forged what is easily the hardest rocking entry in the E Street solo catalog to date. It's perhaps the most spiritual too, although Clarence's 'Peacemaker' is right up there in that department. Even those with an awareness of the power of Van Zandt's solo work will be blindsided by just how good this album is. It's an amazingly consistent work that just burns for its entire 60+ minutes. With help from Jason Bonham and U2's Adam Clayton, Van Zandt works through a conceptual roster of songs that are striking in their sonic dynamics, spiritual depth and balls-to-the-wall intensity. Clayton and Bonham bring to the table a remarkably tight ensemble, and also the collective gestalt of their own musical past. It's stunning to learn this album languished on the shelf for years because some industry labels considered this music passe. These songs are alive with a sonic force one would be hard-pressed to find in most contemporary bands. The album's centerpiece, 'Saint Francis,' is classic Van Zandt, but with a gorgeously archaic spiritual sheen that summons the best of Led Zeppelin. This song is the most affecting and epic piece of hard rock that I've heard since Metallica's 'Unforgiven.' 'Camouflage of Righteousness' is the kind of rousingly melodic song that Steve excels at, and thematically it recalls the Who's 'Eminence Front' while making clever use of that timeless 'Born To Be Wild' riff. 'Salvation' and 'Flesheater' both prowl with a stomp that would make Angus and Malcom Young proud. And check out his Dylanesque snarl on 'The Face of God'. The relentless barrage of truly insightful lyrics are just the icing on the cake. It's enough just to hear the man play so much great guitar again. Many of the songs here sound like lost classics from that golden age when rock wasn't constantly evaluated in terms of timeliness. Despite this, these songs don't come off as dated relics. Van Zandt has more on his mind than simply paying tribute to his idols. The theme of the album is a spiritual quest for faith, but not of the dogmatic sort. 'Born Again Savage' points us inside...to find the faith and spirituality buried deep within ourselves, and to guide us in an understanding of how it connects to the world at large. To quote another contemporary prophet...it's not about life everlasting, but about life RIGHT NOW. In the dawn of the Millennium, when our beloved music is damn near dead, Little Steven has come riding in on the tongues of angels with a taste of salvation. Rock and Roll as it was and always will be has been born again."
JUST A GLIMPSE OF THE FACE OF GOD
heirguitar_2000 | Boston | 01/13/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The title of this track says it all! "Face of God" (the fourth song on this CD) has Platinum written all over it. My husband and I cant get the lyrics out of our head. This album has a mix of Petty/Hendrix old rock throughout.Songs like "Salvation" and "Camouflage of Righteousness" are great songs as well. Kind'a bonus tracks considering "Face of God" is worth the purchase itself. Buy this CD before you hear it on the grammys. I'm sure you'll hear tracks on the Sopranos as well. Love this album!"
POWERED
Rich Kortz | 12/15/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Steven has outdone himself on his first solo album in ten years. His guitar work is hard driving and powered by Jason Bonham's drums. The horns aren't there, but between the rocking music and and wrenching lyrics, they aren't missed. This is a must have for Little Steven and pure rock fans."
Guitars, Guitars!
bill winter | Los Angeles | 12/11/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Whoa! When Steven pays homage he means it! Little Steven has lashed out at his public with some straight ahead "Rock 'n Roll". Remember that stuff? Power trio, great lyrics, ausome riffs, driving beat? In this sample of America's greatest idiom Steven doffs his babushka to everyone from Pink Floyd to the Kinks (there are some american influences as well!) and manages to maintain his high standard for lyrical content. If you like your Rock with lots of guitar, you'll have a blast catching all the subtle, and not so subtle expressions of Stevens gratitude towards some of the greatest guitarists of the 60's."