Customer Reviews

A/2

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Ratt vocalist Stephen Pearcy,Cinderella drummer Fred Coury and the rest of Arcade return with this follow-up to their self-titled debut(see my review).If you have their first CD,'A/2' is most likely to take you by surprise.'A/2' is a lot heavier and hard-hitting.Cuts that I thought sort of stood out were the CD's single "Angry","The Move","Get Off My Back",the rocking "Chain To Me" and "Hot Racing".I've ALWAYS liked Pearcy's and Coury's fromer bands but 'A/2' does prove their can always be life after a major band's fall from glory.A decent find.

I can describe my feelings on this cd by saying it was like returning to my favorite pizza parlour to find that they changed their delicious flavor and made it bland and boring. I really loved their first cd so I had to get this one. I was expecting and hoping for that same sound or at least something I would like as much. I was let down. Although this newer one is somewhat harder, it is really lacking in character and melody. I am listening a second time and find that the first track, "Angry", is alright, but I can live without it sad to say. The second track reminds me of something a weak bar band might play, very little melodic quality and no noticable lyrics. I just clicked passed track three entitled "So What", my thoughts exactly. I'm about to do so with track four too. Awful! When I say this pizza is bland, I mean it almost makes you feel sick!! "When I'm Gone" is a sad attempt at a ballad. It's fair but not one to stick in my memory sad to say.Track six, Pass! Track seven - all I can say is boring!! Track eight is no better. Track number nine has some decent riffs more along the line of Ratt and Arcade 1, but I am seeing a lot of Alternative influence on this particular cd and it saddens me folks. I loved Ratt and was very into Arcade 1 and as for harder stuff I like Disturbed, Pantera and a lot of different music so I am not too fussy or simple minded on the subject. I take rating music very seriously. On to track ten, faster tempoed song but really nothing that grabs me. On to track eleven, fast tempoed song that really isn't too bad but not something that would ever be a favorite. That was the whole cd.
I'd have to say "Angry" was the most catchy tune on it. This isn't the first time I have wasted my money and it won't be the last. It's all in the name of entertainment, discovery and music!!

Another CD that I wish I'd heard sooner, better late than never though. A/2 is a bit heavier than Arcades (S/T) cd & is different enough that a side by side comparison is difficult. A/2 isn't quite as blusy as the first one without loseing that blusy flavor completely. It has highpoints but the low points aren't that low. If ya liked the first one then ya outta like this one too. As is the case with the first Arcade CD A/2 didn't get the chance or recognition it deserved. I'm thankful for the internet, I may not have discoverd this otherwise.

If you are just finding this band then you need to give their debut album a listen first. While still a good album, A/2 just doesn't do it for me like the debut does. Stephen Pearcy is a great Metal vocalist, we all know that, but none of the songs on this album really grabbed my attention like those on the first record or stuff put out by Ratt. Still a good record to have if you're a die-hard music collector like myself.

While I loved the debut album of Arcade, this was an excellent followup.

"Hot Racin'" and "Angry" were the gems of the album. The sound was edgier, rougher, and less pretty. But it worked.

Unfortunately, Sony Records didn't promote it at all. This was too bad as this album was a great counter to the grunge garbage.

Ahhh, yeah.....this sucks and that is all you really need to know about it. Much like all of Stephen Pearcy's stuff away from Ratt, this aspires to be spotty, insipid, dull, and in general just garbage.

Its odd because the guy CAN have an unbelievable sense of melody and sing stuff that no one else can, as evidenced by the STELLAR new Ratt effort. But, while the first Arcade was pretty darn good, this is just utter crap.

If the price ever gets to where Amazon is paying you to take a copy of it, it MIGHT be worth it. Otherwise, save your money and listen to 'Out of the Cellar' one more time.