Good heavy metal on a rare album
L. B. Ivarsson | Rock City | 02/10/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The Rods released a self financed album "Rock hard" in 1980. Then the trio from New York City got signed by the label Arista. From "Rock hard", they included eight songs on the more official debut, simply titled "The Rods" (1981).The album starts with "Power lover", a rather fast song with a pre-chorus that obvious is inspired ...by Deep Purples "Highway star". The next one is "Crank it up", a good heavy metal tune with a satisfying drive and a melodic approach. The third track is a blues based, slightly slower number called "Hungry for some love". This one is followed by "Music man", a mid tempo with a groovy chorus and a guitar solo that makes you think of Ace Frehley's heyday. The fifth track is titled "Woman", and is a semi ballad (very much alike "End of the line" from The Rods follow up album "Wild dogs"). Then it's time for "Nothing going on in the city" which is a fast rocker and maybe even the albums highlight.Up till now, The Rods have surly delivered the goods but "Get ready to rock `n' roll" isn't really a good song. But the band is back on track with the following "Ace in the hole" (the only song sung by bass player Garry Bordonaro). "Rock hard" is a mediocre song, followed by the rather thin sounding "Roll with the night". The last two songs (on my release) are bonus tracks, and they're alright - nothing more, nothing less.All in all, The Rods give you seven good heavy metal tunes, typical for the genre in the early 1980's, before Hair Metal took over the scene. For fans of heavy metal from this period (also called New Wave Of British Heavy Metal), this album is a must - and therefore I rate it 4 stars. If you like Tank's "Power of the hunter" and Tygers Of Pan Tang's "Spellbound" you should buy this one. And while you're at it, please check out The Rods follow up album - "Wild dogs"."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
