Search - Racer X :: Second Heat

Nearly perfect -- 4 1/2 stars, really

Sean Pearson | Upstate NY United States | 01/04/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The first 7 tracks are fantastic, showing all the shredding and rocking a fella could want in the late 80's. Tracks 8 and 9 can go pound sand for all I care. Track 10 ("Lady Killer") tries to recover, but how could it? Now, if "Heart of a Lion" had been put in this slot, the CD would end on a very high note indeed. Still, this is a recording that belongs in any rock fan's collection, as the playing and writing are among the best of the 80's. It's just good stuff.Hopefully the guys won't mind, but I got an e-mail from Jeff (confirming another from Scott) about how they covered a Judas Priest tune ("Heart...") that never got released on a regular JP album. Basically, he met Rob Halford early in the 80's and got to hear the work being done on "Defenders of the Faith" before it was mastered. One of the tracks that he heard, but which didn't make it to the final pressing, was "Heart". Jeff later played the tune for the other guys in RX and they wanted to cover it; Rob gave his permission, and away they went. Jeff says, "The Priest version is still of course the best." I don't know, I think RX does an incredible job on this track and I'm not sure that even Halford could top this.Anyway, I think this was a great CD and I wanted to share this trivia with any other fans out there."

Like Judas Priest, but much better!

Sean Pearson | 10/02/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you enjoy Priest, Racer X is the next logical progression. Unbelieveably heavy, pounding grooves coupled with soaring, yet tasteful vocals. Racer X is one of the greatest bands I have ever heard. Jeff Martin has the Rob Halford thing down while Paul and Bruce produce some amazing harmony leads. Travis and Aldrete bring the whole thing to light as they form one of the most formidable rhythm sections in the history of heavy music. Too bad there's only 2 classic studio albums and 2 by-the-numbers live albums. My favorite tune would have to be "Gone Too Far" closely followed by "Hammer Away." The first album, Street Lethal, also kicks, but Second Heat picks it up a notch song-wise. Get these albums, but quickly!!! dave newman"

Freakin' Awesome

Pete Fry (fry@aosi.com) | Awesome Kingston, NJ | 05/22/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"So what if I'm stuck in the 80's, bands like Racer X make it all worthwhile. If you like Paul Gilbert's much more refined but still tasty "Mr. Big" work you will LOVE this stuff. Bruce (the second guitarist but not secondary) rocks as well. These guys are the creme de la creme of the 80's guitar-wankin', GIT/MI attending guitar wizards of that decade. There really is none finer from the time period. Not to mention Scott Travis on drums (later to hook up with Halford on the "Fight" project). Killer all the way through. It'll make you dig up your spandex and bandannas all over again..."