Search - :: Monster Ballads - Platinum Edition, 2 Disc Set

The Definitive Monster Ballads

M. Davis | 01/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If ever you needed monster ballads, this really is a definitive collection. No previous collection has ever been as thorough; it's as if this was assembled by the rock gods themselves:



Disc 1:

1. Heaven - A truly great and perfect example of a monster ballad. This song personified the monster ballad, good and bad.



2. I Remember You - Skid Row's great ballad, not as good as "18 And Life", I'd substitute that.



3. When The Children Cry - A rather sappy and trite acoustic ballad by one of the better hair bands. Nonetheless, it was their biggest hit and probably belongs here.



4. Headed For A Heartbreak - A true masterpiece by Winger, one of the most unfairly maligned bands ever, somewhat different than the others with a cool keyboard feel.



5. High Enough - A song title that would apply equally to Ted Nugent, this is a fine and bombastic prototypical power ballad with Tommy Shaw and Jack Blades providing their well known voices.



6. Love Of A Lifetime - A perfect and emotional ballad, definitely among the best of its genre. This put Firehouse on the map.



7. To Be With You - One of the most popular monster ballads ever with a campfire sing-along vibe. Stunning vocals by Eric Martin.



8. Don't Close Your Eyes - A Kix anti-suicide ballad. Very unique in it's subject matter for a song of this genre, but one of its lesser hits.



9. When I See You Smile - An enormous hit by Bad English. Despite its popularity and the pedigree of the band members, it is inferior to Journey and John Waite's solo work; it is surprisingly nondescript and generic.



10. Carrie - A smooth ballad from Europe. Pleasant and low key, a far cry from their best known song, "The Final Countdown".



11. Fly High Michelle - A fine ballad by Enuff Z'Nuff, sounding more like early 90s alternative than hair. It is Cheap Trick-like and stands up well next to today's music; they were definitely mislabeled as a hair band.



12. Love Is On The Way - Another ballad that has hints of alternative rock. Saigon Kick is not really a hair band, they definitely have one foot in 90's alternative rock. The song itself is subtle and effective.



13. The Flame - A monster hit that gave Cheap Trick an unexpected comeback. Definitely more of it's time than the bands other songs, but an excellent power ballad.



14. House Of Pain - A slightly rootsy (by 80's power ballad standards) entry. It is definitely one of the better songs on the album, quite wistful and nostalgic with little bombast.



15. Miles Away - Another fine but significantly more bombastic ballad from Winger. Written during the Gulf War and recalls the distance between families and loved ones.



16. If You Needed Somebody - Very different from Bad Company's older music. A workmanlike unspectacular ballad that was not one of the bigger hits.





Disc 2:



1. Every Rose Has It's Thorn - THE Monster Ballad! It is the biggest hit and most well known song on this album. You probably know it by hear



2. Don't Know What You've Got Til It's Gone - Cinderella's entry, somewhat pleasant but unremarkable for this band's talent.



3. Fly To The Angels - A popular undistinctive ballad by a popular undistinctive band.



4. Silent Lucidity - Very different from the songs here, more channeling Pink Floyd, even blantantly cribbing "Comfortably Numb". One of the better songs.



5. Love Song - Not as generic as its title would imply, starts up slow and builds to a boil. An underrated song by an underrated band.



6. Is This Love - A smoldering Zeppelinesque ballad, Whitesnake uses more subtle means to achieve a mood, one of the best songs here.



7. Forever - This song was co-written by Michael Bolton and is just as bombastic as his work, a far cry from the subtlety of previous Kiss ballads such as "Beth"



8. I'll Never Let You Go - A song noteworthy for its elastic and versatile vocals from the lesser known Steelheart.



9. Only Time Will Tell - Decent ballad with tasteful orchestral flourishes, better than their over the top "After The Rain"



10. Wind of Change - One of the finest ballads of the era, written about the collapse of the Berlin Wall. The song captures the exuberance of the German people beautifully and is one of the band's most beloved songs.



11. Angel Song - A typical muted Great White ballad. They keep it subtle, and Jack Russell's smooth vocals round it out nicely.



12. I'll See You In My Dreams - This song is amazing; it came out just as grunge was taking over and didn't get the recognition it deserved. The vocals and instruments are perfect for this affecting and touching ballad.



13. More Than Words - The very popular ballad from the idiosyncratic Extreme. This song probably sounds the least dated, it is very enjoyable with smooth vocal harmonies over a bouncy acoustic guitar line.



14. When I'm With You - A soaring ballad with Freddie Curci's unmatched vocals. He is probably one of the best singers pop music has ever seen; this song is his showcase.



15. Ballad of Jayne - A solid ballad by the LA Guns written about Jayne Mansfield.



16. Honestly - A poor way to end this album. This song is very sappy, off the meter.





All in all, this album is excellent although it is missing some great songs (Sister Christian, More Than Words Can Say) and bigger names (Guns N Roses, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard). This album should be enough for all but the weirdest of power ballad enthusiasts."

Wonderful!!

K. E. Madden | New Orleans, La. | 03/20/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"All great songs!! It makes me miss the days of big hair and loud guitar. A must have for anyone who appreciates power ballads."

Ah, those were the days...

Jackson Foo | Oceanside, CA USA | 04/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's like that old commercial..."all these great songs on one album!" I'm glad!! Sure I was only 10-12 when these songs were first released, but listening to these songs really takes me to a special place...back when things were easier."