Search - Eddy Grant :: Killer on the Rampage

This Forgotten Classic Still Has Legs

Christian Kallen | Healdsburg, CA USA | 03/29/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Weird how some great records go under-recognized, time after time, year after year. Eddy Grant's single Electric Avenue was an alternative radio/dance hit in 1982, strong enough for him to be selected by Michael Douglas to write the theme for "Romancing the Stone" the following year. But it's this album right here that rocks -- "Killer on a Rampage" strikes a bold groove from the opening track (Electric Avenue) and rocks steady thence forward, pounding and swaying through tracks fast and mellow. As I recall, Eddy Grant was born in Barbados and went to London to become a star. He came close as lead singer of the early multi-racial group The Equals (cited here at Amazon by Andy Partridge of XTC as the best group to get people dancing), and they had a pretty big hit called "Baby Come Back." Grant struck out on his own, for both better and worse: he's a multi-instrumentalist, and an egomaniac, so while he plays all or most of the instruments on his records, on many of his efforts his self-absorption gets in the way. On the "Killer" album things balance out, and though there's the occasional slip-up ("Funky Rock'n'Roll" is completely expendable) for the most part he justifies his self-confidence. It's hard to pick a favorite from this disc -- "It's All in You" and "Too Young to Fall" are very cool, "War Party" is an anti-imperialist rant equal to Bob Marley's best, the wry rhythms of "Latin Love Affair" are quirkily enjoyable, and the frank horniness of "Drop Baby Drop" is beyond repoach ("I love you like a mango" rates as a great line -- try it in a Samoan pub sometime). But maybe the best, on a par with "Electric Avenue", is "Killer on a Rampage" -- aggressive/protective in the same breath, a drum-tight arrangement pulsing under a smooth synth texture and savage vocal. Still not convinced? Tim Cahill tells of being shot at by guerrillas in a Central African country, and barely noticing because he had "Killer on a Rampage" turned up so loud. Now that's a recommendation!"

Who is Eddy Grant?

Jason Stein | San Diego, CA United States | 03/21/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have all 11 of Grant's studio cds and to this day most people only remember him from "Electric Avenue", which is on this cd. But, that song aside, he is the only reggae artist that has successfully blended all kinds of genres into his music. Killer on the Rampage is definitely ONE of Grant's best. From "Electric Avenue" to "I Don't Wanna Dance" to "War Party", "Killer on the Rampage", "Another Revolutionary", "Drop Baby Drop", "Too Young to Fall" and "Latin Love Affair" Grant displays his music making craft to its fullest. All 10 tracks are seamless, making this a landmark recording. This is a must have for any rock collector."