Let It Roll

TKO | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 24, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Divebomb / Lumberjack
• ASIN: B001914U1E
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,285 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Divebomb Records is proud to present the first official (re)release of TKO's classic Let It Roll album. In 1978 a little known Seattle band (formerly Mojo Hand) emerged with an album that would become a classic slab of American rock Ôn' roll. Drawing influence from other Ô70s rock acts like Boston, Heart and Journey, but maintaining a sound all their own, TKO garnered critical acclaim for their achievements. Even with the praise being thrown upon the band while opening for acts such as AC/DC, Van Halen, The Kinks and Cheap Trick, their label (Infinity Records) mismanaged money (apparently signing The Pope for $6 million) and went bankrupt soon after the album's release leaving TKO without a home. Despite the bottom falling out, the band pressed on in support of the material they had spent years perfecting, but eventually the Let It Roll-era lineup disbanded sending members to start new bands throughout Seattle, most notably, Rick Pierce eventually to Floyd Rose's Q5. Vocalist Brad Sinsel however took TKO and pressed onward with a new lineup and grittier edge which can be heard on the album In Your Face, also reissued by Divebomb Records (DIVE001). A proper release of Let It Roll has been long overdue considering the countless bootlegs that have surfaced over the years. The 2008 Divebomb Records issue contains not only the original version of Let It Roll but a previously unreleased 7 track live radio performance recorded in 1978 for KZOK Seattle. TKO's ranks have included members who eventually went onto bands such as FIFTH ANGEL, HOUSE OF LORDS, ALICE COOPER, WAR BABIES, CHASTAIN and Q5.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Classic debut - finally available on CD, June 24, 2008

By 

Justin Gaines (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Let It Roll (Audio CD)

Everyone is familiar with bands like Quiet Riot, Motley Crue, Ratt, and Dokken who ruled the airwaves in the 1980's. The success of those bands was made possible in large part by bands like Starz, Y&T, Angel, and Moxy, who paved the way for the next wave of hard rock bands to follow. One of those influential (and too often overlooked) bands was Seattle's TKO. Formed at the end of the 70's by singer Brad Sinsel, TKO was one of the first bands to combine the hard rock style of KISS and Van Halen with the glam rock sensibility of T. Rex.

1979's Let It Roll was the band's debut album. It's not quite as "metal" as the band's later work, but it's still a great anthemic hard rock album. There are some great melodies here, and a nice use (but not overuse) of keyboards, and Brad Sinsel seems to be channeling Mick Jagger on a few of these songs. I also hear a lot of similarities to fellow Seattle rockers Rail. I still prefer the band's later, heavier albums, but Let It Roll is still a very impressive debut album.

NOTE: Divebomb Records reissued Let It Roll in 2008. The limited edition (only 1000 were pressed) reissue marks the first time the album has been officially released on CD. The reissue features remastered sound, which, given the source material, is pretty impressive. It also features a hefty 9 bonus tracks in the form of a 1980 radio station live performance (the local equivalent of the BBC Sessions) as well as expanded liner notes by author and metal historian Martin Popoff.

Fans of 80's hard rock and heavy metal should definitely check out this underrated band, and Let It Roll is a great place to start, especially now that it has been reissued.

5.0 out of 5 stars Is this The Who?, November 21, 2010

By 

Andrew D. Ussery "Booberry" (USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Let It Roll (Audio CD)

Saw this band backing up Cheap Trick in about 1977. thought they were great and got their cassette. Loved it. Later on I turned on to a band known as the Who. I remember thinking....The Who sounds a lot like TKO!

Are they still around?

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Who-ish, August 19, 2010

By 

Chris Collier - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Let It Roll (Audio CD)

great album... glad to find it on CD. Reminds me of early The Who albums.