Harsh Reality

Waysted | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 24, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Livewire Records
• ASIN: B0018JKFUW
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #104,079 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Propaganda

2. Samaritan Man

3. Rockin' the Cliché

4. Keepin' It Sweet

5. Long Time Dead

6. Out of Control

7. It Wasn't Me

8. Song for Steve

9. The Harsh Reality

10. Handbags and Gladrags

11. Can't Live Without Some Pain

Editorial Reviews

2007 release from the U.K. hard rockers featuring Pete Way (UFO) on bass, vocalist Fin, guitar player Chris George and drummer Paul Haslin. This is the follow-up to the critically acclaimed 'Back From The Dead' album and sees the band hone their song writing and sound. The album was recorded in Newcastle with producer Fred Purser (Tygers Of Pan Tang / Penetration) and features a version of Rod Stewart's 'Handbags & Gladrags' (Vocalist Fin sang the theme tune to the TV series 'The Office') as well as 10 more songs. Live Wire 2007 --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Reality Of Good Rock, July 31, 2008

By 

Monty Brasco (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Harsh Reality (Audio CD)

Although I was a little disappointed by Back From The Dead there was no hesitation in purchasing the latest CD from this underrated band despite the somewhat lofty price tag. And as I assumed there would be no repeat of any such disappointment. Although the BFTD return of Fin was O.K., this was a far better effort for mine, and comes up on par with my favourite, Vices.

I'm just grateful that Pete Way and Co rescued Fin from the Aliens, Bermuda Triangle, or whatever Black Hole he was in to front the band again. On this CD he sounds as strong as ever, as if he was suspended in time, which may well have been the case.

Waysted haven't produced a Sargent Peppers here but this is a great hard rock CD that meets all the criteria for the never aging ex-`70's genre. May these guys keep on keeping on making much better music than the junk us ol' rockers are subjected to these days.

"Propaganda" (4:16) gets things off to an energetic but slightly under whelming start, morphing into a similar riffed "Samaritan Man"(3:39) - both tracks carried with a couple of guitar licks that standout.

"Rockin' The Cliché" (4:32) - moves things into Motley Crew-like enviroment with guitar, drums and some vocal harmony dominating. Definite bench pressing material for the head phones in a modern gym drowned with a cacophony of dance music.

The starting three songs could be found on a Dokken or a Ratt release, but track No. 4 signals the end of any penny section on the album.

"Keepin' It Sweet" (3:35) - is a toe-tapping blues/rock number changes the album direction and is the first track to gobble you up upon an initial listening. I've quickly added this piece to a compilation for the CD stacker in the car to help combat the stress of peak hour traffic jams. You cannot not like this song. Hold the Lambrini, pass me a beer.

"Long Time Dead" (3:54) back to hard rockin' with a harmonic chorus and more solid guitar action sampling a tinge of Zakk Wylde influence in sections.

"Out Of Control" (3:43)- blues' things up again starting with Mr Way making his presence felt and gets the toes tapping out of control - damn, pass me another a beer!

"It Wasn't Me" (5:27)- pure blues number with Fin taking charge of proceedings with a little soft-speak from the front man and an excellent blues riff throughout.

"Song For Steve"(6.31)- somewhat in the power ballad mode and another that grabs you big time the first time you hear it and is the best cut on the entire album. This track is sung with some emotion and the lyrics carry some poignant meaning for the writers.

"The Harsh Reality"(4:53)- great rock to sing along with but it seems the writing has gone all Midnight Oil(former lead singer now an environment minister in Australian Leftist government)as evil humans destroy the world. Not sure how hard drinking veteran rockers will take to buying carbon credits for abundant flatulence and riding push bikes to gigs. That could be a harsh reality.

"Handbags and Gladbags" (4:21)- a hook-laden cover that is done well. I've loved all Waysted's covers with the exception of "The Price Of Love" off the Back To The Dead CD.

What Brian Johnson can't do for ACDC Fin can and does for Waysted on the final track, "Can't Feel The Pain."(6:05)- this is the kind of track that Steve Tyler and Aerosmith could take Top Ten, and Fin is outstanding. A superb finale with a blues/country guitar feel, a touch of harmonica and great drumming fading out the album. Love Fin's Tyler screeching and Paul Haslin's Bonham-esque moments towards the end, a-la Zepp's Achillies Last Stand.

It's not metal or definitive ground-breaking rock but what these musicians do best - give their fans what is expected. Great musicianship with guitarist Chris George a star performer and well worth my money. Pete Way refuses to let me down. If you've liked Waysted's previous work this shouldn't disappoint.

Unlike costs limiting packaging and environmental-friendly thinking bands (pun intended) this comes in a jewel case with liner notes including song lyrics and a cartoon insert of a theme park that I guess is an inference for the harsh realities of humans living the good life - like leer jet, limousine-liberal,latte sipping Al Gores.

An extra half a star for Pete Way refusing to ever let me down.

Running time: 48:56

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You will buy this STRAIGHT AWAY!!!, June 17, 2009

By 

Michael McCann - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Harsh Reality (Audio CD)

A great release! This is their best since "The Good, The Bad, and the Waysted" Every song rocks. Interesting cover of "Handbags and Gladrags" too. Straight ahead, melodic hard rock that kills. It has radio-friendly moments, but I'm sure it will (unfortunately) be ignored. Title track is amazing and and I also really like "Keepin' it Sweet". Excellent release, guys. Hope to catch the live shows in NY/NJ coming soon! Thanks, Pete and Company for this one. Must be played loud!!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW, April 6, 2008

By 

R. J. KARDYS (UPSTATE NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Harsh Reality (Audio CD)

This is a great cd. Glad Fin is back on vocals. I like this more and more every time I listen to it. Bye this cd