Customer Reviews

Lay Down the Law

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

 

 

The nicest thing about this is that I finally have the music again after all these years. This is the very finest Keel album in my humble opinion. The digipak case is nicely done and not some cheap re-issue. I am very pleased to find well written liner notes inside. The music sounds great. Get this!

If 5 stars is a classic and 1 star is a Britney Spears record, KEEL's overlooked debut record warrants 3 stars.

Lay Down the Law is a fine hair metal record (glam or pop-metal). Nothing more, nothing less. KEEL is an interesting band in that they bridged the gap between the 1st (1981-1984) and 2nd wave (1986-1989) of hair metal, not really fitting entirely into either camp.

KEEL brings some great vocals to the party (though he's a bit of an acquired taste), the riffs are overall pretty good, and the melodies hit the mark. While some of these tracks were rolled over into their more well known release, The Right to Rock, there are some real gems that you'll only get here. First, the title track is easily my favorite, and there is a reprise of it on the final track. Second, Princess of Illusion is an intense, memorable, although somewhat eerie ballad. Finally, Till Hell Freezes Over is a dynamic, epic track that features the great range of musicianship this band is capable of. The only track that borders on filler would be Born Ready, which could have used a better hook.

Any fan of KEEL and hair metal would enjoy this release, as it features the genre at its best.. before change and other interests watered much of the music down by end of the decade.

If you are a Keel fan, then this is THE album for you! Ron Keel has hit what I deem to be probably some of the highest notes of his musical career right here on this album! Only a man being tortured on a medieval device could scream any higher! By far the most essential piece of Keel history that you may want to own. An excellent barrage of sonic assault on your ears! Go Out and Get this One!

Outstanding! Keel's debut album is one of the best!!! It Rocks from beginning to end! The original uncut "Speed Demon" is heard hear, which is different from "Speed Demon" on the Right to Rock album. Crank this album loud and lots and enjoy!!!!! It's great to finally get this on CD. I've waited a long time for this album to be released in CD.

I had a LP of this album in long long time ago. Finally, I own this CD. The sound is perfect! For people who love the American '80 metal, you should have this CD.

The thing not so perfect is, this is a digi-pack, and no lyrics pages.

Not bad for a debut effort, however I found the production quality on a couple of songs, and the overall music material on Ron Keel's previous band Steeler's s/t album (STEELER) to be a little-to-a-lot better (perhaps cos Yngwie Malmsteen was in Steeler's lineup?).

The most redeeming qualities of this album that would make it a must-have for a true metal fan, are the early versions of three songs that appeared on Keel's sophomore release THE RIGHT TO ROCK (SPEED DEMON ; LET'S SPEND THE NIGHT TOGETHER ; YOU'RE THE VICTM, I'M THE CRIME - the latter song which has the chorus lyrics inverted, effectively giving it the title TONIGHT YOU'RE MINE). I suppose its ultra-rare status (due to being out of print) and the sexy cover don't hurt its appeal any, lol.

Only because I am such a long-time fan of Keel, and such a music addict in general, can I justify my dropping $180 CAD for this factory-sealed CD. If you want a copy, good luck finding it, and be prepared to pay like I did. If you find it (significantly) cheaper anywhere (especially factory-sealed), then you had better buy a lotto ticket too, before THAT KIND OF LUCK runs out!

WTW

best c.d. ever made as a debut! everybody must own this c.d.!firt time on c.d.!!!