Rage (UK) - Nice N Dirty

geovian

ARTIST: Rage (UK)
ALBUM: Nice N Dirty
LABEL: Carerre
SERIAL: CAL 138
YEAR: 1982
CD REISSUE: 2015, Rock Candy Records, CANDY261

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
LINEUP: Dave Lloyd - vocals * Mick Devonport - lead and rhythm guitars * Terry Steers - rhythm guitars * Keith Mulholland - bass * John Mylett - drums

TRACK LISTING: 01 American Radio Stations * 02 Wasted Years * 03 Woman * 04 Heartbreaker * 05 Silver And Gold * 06 Long Way From Home * 07 Only Child * 08 Blame It On The Night * 09 Wild Cat Woman * 10 Ready To Go

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Background

With a couple of hot looking ladies on the cover, it was guaranteed to attract attention for British rockers Rage, and so it did; an album with some tough melodic rockers to boot.

I have to say, I wrote both articles for 'Out Of Control' and this one 'Nice N Dirty' at the same time, and it became patently obvious that this second effort is the superior collection by far.

The songs are focused in the same style as AC/DC and Swiss faves Krokus, though without ripping either band off.

Yes, there's still a bruising British Bulldog surging through the veins of these Liverpool boys, and again it became obvious that the musical output was geared toward American audiences, though I'm certain back in the day that their efforts fell on deaf ears, such is the shame.

The Songs

'American Radio Stations' is the apparent signal to announce themselves to transatlantic audiences. It's stomping hard rock with the catchy as hell chorus.

Rage head off to the races thanks to 'Wasted Years' and its galloping style complete with slide guitar. 'Woman' takes on a Thin Lizzy persona, but without the sly Fox attitude of a certain bass player.

We're heading into the meat of the album now, and 'Heartbreaker' is starting to put Rage on the melodic rock map. By this stage they are sounding rather good. Dave Lloyd is commanding precedings like a boss.

The twin guitars of Mick Devenport and Terry Steers starts to dominate from this point, the AC/DC riffarama on 'Silver And Gold' gets the head bobbing, so too the rollicking 'Long Way From Home' which may have gone down well in the Beer Barns of 80's Australia. My favourite track is 'Only Child', with more kick ass rock n roll complete with slide guitar. Rose Tattoo anyone?

'Blame It On The Night' is slightly different in sound, and that's to be expected, as this is a cover of the song performed by American AORsters Fandango a few years earlier on their 'Cadillac' album. We're soon back to Rage's own tunes, 'Wild Cat Woman' and 'Ready To Go' finishing off the album in resounding fashion.

In Summary

Overall, this is a fun record with a rousing attitude, combining the best bits of British hard rock with some American spit and polish. Some of these tracks, like 'Only Child' deserve to be heard in a wider capacity. The band would go on to refine themselves yet again for 1983's final record 'Run For The Night', moving more into the AOR zone.

Videos

Only Child

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Candyman

Ok It was probably the album cover that first got my attention back in the day but the album has been a favourite of mine over the years. Agree with the comments in the review where the music combined the best bits of British hard rock with some American polish. Highly recommended listen