| Product Summary | | Label: Immortal | | UPC: 00827596000425 | | Release Date: 2/8/2005 | | Buy.com Sku: 63915069 | | Item#: ME96DX | | Buy.com Sales Rank: 25079 | Format:  CD |
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(C) 2005 Viacom International Inc. and Sidewinder Music, A Unit of Immortal Entertainment Group Inc.
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| | Album Notes and Credits |
Notes & Personnel Info |  | Photographers: Andrew Giammarco; Frank Micelotta; Gary Powell . | | Given the scope of the "unplugged" phenomenon during the late '80s and early '90s, it's surprising that it took this long to assemble a compilation of metal's finest unplugged moments. Aside from it being almost two decades too late, this 15-song collection takes some of hair metal's finest power ballads and puts them to the test in an acoustic setting. Starting off with the unplugged version of Poison's classic "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" from their MTV Unplugged sessions, the disc begins in fine form. "Sister Christian," one of Night Ranger's most recognized calling cards, is revisited in a new recording, as are contributions by Cinderella, L.A. Guns, White Lion, Alias, and Great White. While some of the vocalists on these records have aged well (specifically Night Ranger and L.A. Guns), others have not. Cinderella's Tom Keifer can no longer reach for that signature howl of his, and Mike Tramp's roar has been reduced to a grovel at best and an off-key, melodramatic warble at worst. By far, the most potent recordings are those that were simple acoustic ballads to begin with. Extreme's a cappella version of "More Than Words" not only proves the song has aged well, but still has the ability to be the ballad of the night when called for. Tesla's "The Way It Is" and Queensr?che's "Silent Lucidity" are also guilty of this most enjoyable offense. This is a good collection for metal heads who can no longer stand to listen to their music on 11, but rather turn the volume to four and drink a bit of Jack Daniels on ice with a straw instead of slamming it straight from the bottle. ~ Rob Theakston | | In 1976, hard-rock giant Kiss scored its biggest single to date with the gentle, piano-driven "Beth." The legion of pop-metal bands that followed took note, and the sweeping power ballad became many a spandex-clad ensemble's ticket to crossover success. Decades later, many fans consider these sensitive hairspray-and-leather anthems a delicious guilty pleasure. For these listeners, VH1 and Immortal Records put together METAL MANIA STRIPPED, a collection of acoustic tunes from many of hair-metal's leading lights. | | While listeners searching for the original hit versions of these songs should look elsewhere, fans will relish finding the rare, unreleased, and newly recorded versions contained herein. Particular highlights include an a cappella take on Extreme's Beatlesque chart-topper "More Than Words," which showcases the band's gorgeous vocal harmonies, and Night Ranger's "Sister Christian," which matches the original's chugging intensity, despite the absence of Jeff Watson and Brad Gillis's wall of guitars. Also of note is Queensryche's "Silent Lucidity," which stripped to its live essence, sounds even more reminiscent of Pink Floyd. In every case, these tracks reveal that the heavy-metal scene produced some of the most enduring pure pop of the '80s. |
Producer: Christine Hollwedel; Jamie Talbot (Compilation) |
| | Technical Info | | Release Date : 02/08/2005 | | Original Release Date : 2004 | | Catalog ID : 60004 | | Label : VH1 Classic/Sidewinder | | Number of Discs : 1 | | Studio/Live : Studio | | Mono/Stereo : Stereo | | SPAR Code : n/a | | UPC : 00827596000425 |
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