Exposed

Vince Neil's solo debut is a glittering hunk of 1980s hair metal space junk, crash-landed smack dab and smoking in the town square of 1993 alternative city. With crack hired gun Steve Stevens along for the ride, Neil runs through a gloriously anachronistic set of athletic, Motley-lite rockers, thumbing his nose at the flannel and hair grease revolution with his gaggle of strutting Aqua Netted vest guys (pictured on the back cover in full-on preen). It's unclear just what Neil is exposing with this album, since its lyrics mostly just extend the sexual conquests ("You're Invited (But Your Friend Can't Come)") and concurrent never-say-die/gonna-die-young ethos ("Can't Have Your Cake") espoused by his old band. Exposed does wind down a bit after its revved up open, offering the dull "Can't Change Me." While the LP's florescent riffing and histrionic vocal exercises prove Neil isn't lying, "Change" is still a leaden attempt at rebel-on-the-road oath uttering. For evidence of risk-taking or stylistic shift, it's a better idea to look to "Living Is a Luxury." While it's crammed with awesome Flying V wankery from Stevens, it also features a jazz guitar solo and some synth overdubs during its extended outro. Neil's not actually singing during this interlude, but the attempt at atmosphere is admirable. Nevertheless, Exposed is best when it's happily keeping hair metal aloft. As the unsuccessful hip-hop and industrial flirtations of Neil's sophomore solo effort would prove, outmoded metal is best left to relive its glory days without worrying about the new model that will inevitably replace it. In the end, this is exactly what Neil exposes. ~ Johnny Loftus