Axe - Twenty Years From Home (1977 - 1997) (Best Of)

Tracks:

Running The Gauntlet
Rock And Roll Party
Burn The City Down
Heat In The Street
Now Or Never
Life's Just An Illusion
Eagles Flies Alone
Living On The Edge
All Through The Night
First Time, Last Time
Forever
Back On The Streets
Heroes And Legends
Sting Of The Rain

Label: NEH Records/MTM Music
Year: 1997
Producer: Bobby Barth

Total Playing Time: 55:02 m:s

I have to confess that I don't remember Axe from their original work. I first became aware of them through Bobby Barth's work with CITA. A reformed Axe have put out a new studio album - Five. This album sees the band revisiting their past. The band have re-recorded material from their first 4 albums and also included a couple of tracks from the new album. The band have attempted to remain as faithful to the originals as possible.

This collection of songs is mainly of the uptempo catchy 80's metal/hard edged AOR variety and I'm sure that, if it weren't for the modern production, the package would feel dated. The guitars and keyboards dominate the mix, with the vocals taking back seat.

Now And Never is the first song that really grabs my attention. This radio friendly tune is the type of stuff I used to dream about hearing on the radio. This is followed up by the excellent Life's Just An Illusion. I love this type of melodic radio friendly hard rock. In a similar vein, Back On The Streets Again, also makes a good impression. The rest of the material doesn't quite match up these gems. The two uptempo rockers (Heat On The Street & All Through The Night) just don't cut it for me. The two tracks from Five ( Heroes And Legends & Sting Of The Rain), show that Axe are sticking to their musical guns and continuing in a similar style to their previous material.

Rating: 7