Style: hard rock
Label: Columbia
Year: 1981
Home: Boston
Members: Joe Perry ~ guitars/vocals
Charlie Farren ~ rhythm guitar/vocals
David Hull ~ bass/backing vocals
Ronnie Stewart ~ drums
Fans & critics generally call this an inferior release from the JPP, as the song-writing isn't as good nor the production as their debut, but look at the production of the seminal Velvet Underground recordings to see the problem in this complaint. As for the song-writing on this sophomore release it isn't as elaborate as debut, but I personally found this the far better album. The polyphonic clutter of too many notes that makes the debut more abstract & at times distracting is gone. This album also has some standout tracks that far outdo the weak parts of the album & I found more memorable than anything on their debut. 'Play The Game' is a slow ballad that could have been a hit had it been done by Aerosmith, though it's still a classy song with Joe behind the mic. This track alone is all you need from the JPP to be satisfied. All 3 JPP albums would feature different singers, rotating with Joe, but while the changing voices makes the debut disjointed, this has a better overall feel. The first album also sounded like a guitarist pulling out all his trump cards to soon in an attempt to impress, while here things are more focus. The time to impress is over, now it's time to make some great music. Though, it's obvious Perry wanted both to be hit albums & tried different approaches to find that end. Thus, these two albums become more an interesting comparison in growth & diversity of a particular musician than two stellar lost rock albums. Weak albums of a musician often say just as much if not more as the great albums. If nothing else, cute title. It should be noted that a highlight of the album is Joe's singing. Nothing stellar or unique, but it works in this context. Actually, if he'd handled all the vocal duties he might have been more successful as the Robert Plant/Mick Jagger wannabees he hired are poor imitators. Also, the strongest part of the album is also the what would have been the complete side B. But, a lot of listeners probably lost interest by then. There's surprises around every flip. The surprise here is that Perry would actually attempt a third solo outing before going home to Aerosmith.
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