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Rank and File go metal and pay the price

R. Smith | Viola, Iowa USA | 10/25/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The final Rank and File album came out in 1987 and attempted to update their sound from Cowpunk to Hairmetal and in the process alienated their fans. The songs themselves were not the problem but rather the songs were actually quite good if it wasn't for the lunkhead whammybar guitar solos that sunk the album. If given the Americana treatment of the Slash albums (The Slash Years is a Must have but since it's out of print, get the Sundown and Long Gone Dead CDs...in that order) the self titled album would be fondly remembered. Or maybe a remix and remastered version of this, take the whammy bar leads and songs such as failed hit single Black Book or Golden Age and Pistol Dawn and it would sound a lot better. My faves are Sweet Life, Good Times and Love House, to which the bombast guitar is kept at a tolerable rate.



Long out of print from Rhino, Collector's Choice Music has reissued this CD. But I'm not impressed with the very bright and tinny mix that is on the CCM CD. The Rhino CD tends to have a bit more bass to the sound, although it's still a 80s sound, it is better sounding to the CCM CD. For hard core fans only (to which I'm one)

Grade B+ Rhino CD C+ on Collector's Choice"

Love them Kinmans - next stop Blackbird

Pamela Middings | 06/21/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Yeah, the loud guitar and drums threaten to overpower the mix at times, but you can hear the Kinmans' strong songwriting skills nevertheless. Tony's deep voice and lyrics really give a great melancholy air, love it. "Black Book," "Golden Age," "Pistol Dawn," "Sweet Life," "Good Times," "Unlucky in Love," "Love House"(old Dils song) are my faves. If they were redone/remixed, this would be even cooler, but hey. Dig it anyway."