What do you do when you’ve got infinity money and 20+ years of recording, touring, and stadium-packing experience? You get together with your pals and have fun, that’s what. Damn Yankees’ debut album is a “why not?” effort of four insanely talented dudes: Michael Cortellone (Lynyrd Skynyrd), Jack Blades (Night Ranger), Tommy Shaw (Styx), and Ted “The Nuge” Nugent.
And what a ride! Nugent is an absolute animal on that guitar. Shaw has a voice nonpareil that can ooze sleaze on Coming of Age or tug your heartstrings on Come Again. Blades and Cortellone drive this record like it’s an old pickup truck. High Enough retains a high rank among the greatest power ballads in history. Piledriver is proof that the group did this whole thing out of sheer enjoyment. Just listen to them goofing off on-mic as they play. Every track is packed full of attitude, talent, and fun. It’s just so much fun.
You don’t work music, you play it. Damn Yankees never forgot that through all their success. The fact that they came together and put out an album this FUN shows how much they embody the spirit of rock n’ roll. Ah, rock stars of old, who let the passion become their souls and guide their lives! Who will be the new artists who do the same? Will it be…YOU?
Alright, that’s enough hero worship for the month. Thank you, and goodnight.
Spud media 