Young And Wild - A Decade Of American Glam Metal 1982-1992

Since the invention of the American teenager, a succession of decade-defining rock & roll movements were born to serve their ever-changing needs. By the tail-end of the 70s, many of rocks original titans had descended into middle-age softness and their successors sprung out in different directions, from prog rock and metal to punk, glam, and new wave. Every scene had its devoted followers, but the average American radio listener coming of age in the early 80s just wanted to have a good time. Pioneers like Kiss and Van Halen tapped into this zeitgeist, drawing in young fans with big catchy riffs and a sense of fun paired with a bit of sleazy danger. Over the next few years, rock became more theatrical and wild, its paragons hell-bent on partying no matter the cost. Spandexed and leather-jacketed units like Motley Crue, Bon Jovi, and Poison rose to mainstream success, singing explicitly about sex, guzzling Jack Daniels by the gallon, and scaring the hell out of conservative American parents. During its fullest 1985 expression, Tipper Gore and the "Washington Wives" countered the hair metal movement by forming the Parental Music Resource Center (PMRC) to warn the public of its dangers. Meanwhile, MTV embraced these bands alongside their pop counterparts like Prince and Madonna, cementing their status as emblems of the decades flamboyance. This latest archival volume from the Cherry Red label chronicles the American glam metal scene from its 1982 breakthrough to its abrupt 1992 demise in the wake of Nirvanas grim grunge classic Nevermind. Scattered throughout these heaping three discs is the full spectrum of hair metal from its more recognizable purveyors -- Twisted Sister, Sammy Hagar, Ratt, Skid Row, Cinderella, Quiet Riot -- to obscurities like Shark Island, Little Caesar, and Tattoo Rodeo. Padded with copious, well-researched liner notes, its a bacchanal of sweaty choruses, fevered guitar-shredding, and dumb sexual innuendos. Its also a lot of fun. As Kiss implores, "Lick it up, lick it up, oh, oh, oh!" ~ Timothy Monger