Customer Reviews

Rehab

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

So we come to the latter half of 2006, and Quiet Riot is still around. This is not the original Quiet Riot, or even the Quiet Riot that was insanely successful in the mid 80's. This is a much different, and more mature Quiet Riot. Why do I mention this? Well, I was old enough to listen to QR in 1983 when they hit seriously large. Thing is, unlike the majority of the fans, I kept listening. Since Metal Health in 1983, they've had seven other studio albums (84, 86, 88, 93, 95, 99, 01) excluding 2006's Rehab. I bought almost all of them. I rather enjoyed them for what they were. Mindless light metal. Most people don't even know that QR is still around, let alone continuing to record albums all this time. 2001's "Guilty Pleasures" was the one I did not buy. It was "OK" - I borrowed a friend's copy, but I didn't buy that one - at that point I had pretty much burnt out on Quiet Riot.

Fast forward to 2006, and a couple of breakups, several lineup changes, and I got word the band was working on a new album. I admit to being curious given my past history in listening to Quiet Riot, but after Guilty Pleasures, it was NOT an automatic purchase. QR at this point is primarily Kevin DuBrow (vocals), Frankie Banali (drums), and a rotating group of guitarists and bassists. In mid 2006 I was reading interviews with DuBrow & Banali talking about how the new album was nothing like anything they had ever done before. They wanted to do something different, something "classic rock" sounding (I'm paraphrasing there). Again, I wasn't that enthused about it.

Why all this background info? Because I wanted to show that this is not a knee jerk reaction from someone who only casually likes the band.

So I decided to take a chance and roll the dice. Wow. I mean WOW! They were NOT kidding. This is NOT like Quiet Riot that has come before it. It's not like they're playing disco or country music or something - it's still hard rock. But it does not sound like any other Quiet Riot album before it. This is good, I like bands that take some sort of musical experiment, but don't stray too far that they're unrecognizable. I've been reading some negative reviews on the Internet about this album. I know a lot of "opinions" on the Internet are negative, I don't understand this. This is a good album - and unless you were expecting them to re-record Metal Health again, I can't understand why anyone wouldn't like it. Now I'm not going to say it's awesome on the order of Led Zeppelin IV, or Black Sabbath's Heaven & Hell or something like that, but it is a good, quality, solid album. One that makes me want to buy Quiet Riot again. I seriously hope they do another album in this same vein - it would be an automatic purchase for me. The album starts off well with "Free", and never lets up. The bassist on this album is Tony Franklin, who has been in Blue Murder, The Firm, & Ozzy's band. Former Deep Purple & Black Sabbath vocalist Glenn Hughes makes an appearance, too. I can't say it enough - a good, solid album.

Give it a shot, and open your mind. Don't have a prejudged opinion based on "Metal Health" for this album. You might find you'll like it.

Before buying this album, I read a lengthy review on KNAC's web site. The reviewer kept stressing how this album sounds nothing like the old party rock that Qr used to dish out 20 years ago which I agree with. Trust me, this is a good thing. She also mentions that Kevin duBrow says that the album takes a few listens to grrasp. I couldn't disagree with Kevin's comment more. this album makes a blistering first impression. What you have here are two musical veterans, (Kevin and frankie), who have grown up and have figured out how to rock plenty hard with substance. These songs are all very different from one another, have great lyrics, interesting hooks, and power for days! "Old habits die hard" is my favorite track. It is a slow blues rock number with Kevin simply singing his guts out while Frankie pounds out some classic Bonham-style drums, and Neil sprinkles in some tasty guitar licks. I kid you not that after listening to the album in its entirety, I went back and played that song five more times in a row. another standout track is the spooky tooth cover "Evil woman." DuBrow and Hughes trading vocal lines is a true treat to behold. I also love "south of heaven", "Strange Days", "Free", and "Black Rain." Honestly, I wish they didn't put "It Sucks to Be You" on the record. Sure, it's a reasonably fun song, but everything else on the record is so lightyears ahead of it that it seems like they threw it on just to appease the "come on Feel The Noize" crowd. It really sticks out like a sore thumb, but it is only one song out of eleven, and the other ten are simply brilliant. this is easily the best album they've ever put out and, believe me, I've heard them all many times over. Please please buy this record to show the boys that truly substantive yet crankable hard rock still matters in 2006.

Remember that band who made it big in 1983 with Metal Health?? well their back and better than ever. This cd is everything which quiet riot is, was and wants to be.. The cd is very diverse in styles. whether it be the heavy-modernlike "Free" or the zeppelinesque "south of heaven" the guitar. Frankie banalis drums are amazing on this cd, and are very heavy and john bonamesque.. Kevins Vocals are another amazing point on this disc. his voice is just as good as it was 20 years ago and he can belt out those tunes..

an interesting song is a cover of "evil woman" by spooky tooth with kevin and Glenn Hughes dueting on it..

anyway, if your a quiet riot fan, or just a fan of good Rock music pick up this cd, you wont regret it!

QUIET RIOT returns to recording world with the release of their new studio CD, Rehab, now available from Chavis Records. Frankie Banali and Kevin DuBrow, the two driving members of QUIET RIOT, showcase their talent and musical influences to make Rehab one of the band's best effort to date.

Rehab is a collection of great rock tunes that will give new fans and old fans of QUIET RIOT a sense of their musical abilities and show a different side of QUIET RIOT compared with anything they have done in the past.

"Free" which kicks off the new CD, is more of a modern hard rocking in your face song that gets you banging your head right from the start. "Blind Faith" one of the several Banali-Citron-DuBrow-Hughes compositions is unlike anything QUIET RIOT has done before. It's melodic, musical and something you can sing to after the first listen. "South of Heaven" is an intense song with a heavy drum sounding beat.

Other highlights include the bluesy "Old Habits Die Hard" which show off both Kevin's vocal ability and his influences. One of the best songs on the album by far. "In Harms Way" is another haunting number which give both Kevin and Frankie an opportunity to show what they can do and how well they do it. "Beggars and Thieves" is another song from the album that show just how much these guys love to play. It is an aggressive musical driven song which is interesting enough to hold you for the entire six minute plus length of the song.

Bassist Tony Franklin and Guitarist Neil Citron (who helped write several of the new songs) lend their playing and provide a new and exciting musical complement to Kevin's signature voice and Frankie's trademark drum sound. Rock and Roll legend, Glenn Hughes also lends his hand to help the boys with Rehab and gives it his all with Kevin on the great Spooky Tooth classic, "Evil Woman".

Rehab - is all out Rock and Roll record that deserves your full attention and you won't be disappointed. Frankie and Kevin have stretched their musical muscle to the max and what is left is quite simply a good record from start to finish. Each song can stand on its own as a good song and together they form a new and exciting QUIET RIOT release that will leave you wanting to play this CD over and over.

Kevin Boisvert

The Good
As the opening verse of "Free" hits, you instantly recognize it as the voice of Quiet Riot. Vocalist Kevin Dubrow hasn't wavered a bit from his heyday, except he may be a little more refined and in key. The chorus is undeniably catchy and will burn in your subconscious for month. By the time you get to "South of Heaven," you start to realize, this isn't the Quiet Riot I grew up with. That's not a bad thing though. Dubrow's new found appreciation for blues-based rock really shines on this track in particular. In addition to the change in music style, there's a drastic change in songwriting. No longer does Quiet Riot come off as cheesy or amateurish with their lyrics.

Okay, so growing up I didn't think that way about their music (still don't really), because that was the in thing, but compared to the new material, Quiet Riot have matured. "Black Reign" kicks the drumbeats into overdrive and the energy level to the top. It still has that metal feel, but adds that extra element of vocal and guitar melodies. If you you've been keeping tabs on Kevin Dubrow recently, you'd know that he bows to the feel of ex-Deep Purple bassist Glenn Hughes. He actually can't shut up about him. Anyway, if you didn't know that and just knew who Hughes was, then you wouldn't instantly recognize his style on the track "Old Habits Die Hard." The track is bluesy, soulful, and full of moving drum beats and subtle guitar licks.

"In Harms Way" has a nice bounce to it as the bass work of Tony Franklin and drum work of Frankie Banali work in tandem to create that pulse. Guitarist Neil Citron lays down some jarring riffs on "It Sucks to Be You," as Dubrow does the typical frontman trash-talking. Getting back to Glenn Hughes, he makes an appearance on the Spooky Tooth cover "Evil Woman." Hughes is at his soulful best and plays well off of Dubrow's howls.

The Bad
Nothing notable

The Verdict
A lot of listeners or fans tend to pigeon-hole a band by only accepting a certain sound from them. If it's not what they remember them for, then they want nothing to do with it. That's a shame. In the case of Quiet Riot, they really don't sound much like themselves as far as musical style goes, but the voice is still undeniable. In addition to that, with their latest album Rehab the group showcases that they have really grown as musicians. They're not so much the wild, young, and crazy guys they were 20 years ago. They've become seasoned musicians that have honed their craft and managed to put out a different style of music for them that is both well-written and enjoyable to listen to. Hey, it's not Metal Health, but you'll still want to bang you head here and there.

I just recieved my copy of Quiet Riot's Rehab and I'm going keep this short TOTALLY AWESOME nothing else I can say other than pick it up you won't be disappointed.Thank's Kevin & Frankie for giving me a great CD to rock out to.......................................

I have been listing to hard rock for 36 years and I'm telling you that this is a GREAT "HARD ROCK" CD!!!!!If you like R'N'R you must have this in your collection.


Come children of the beast - Rise Up and Take back your guitar driven ROCK and ROLL, JRK

this disc is the epitaph of who kevin dubrow was a rebel rocker , wut a great final disc. Don't expect metal health this is a very heavy (4 the riot) disc.This awsome from start 2 finish . Hope the randy rhoads lps get re-release sometime soon . We miss u kevin !

Quiet Riot is a great band too bad it will never be the same without Kevin Dubrow he will be missed The last time i saw them was at the Downtown Street Festival in 2005 along with Firehouse, Ratt, and Cinderella, Perfect album to play when somebody tells you about your life and they try to tell you what's wrong, I have a friend that tells me what not to do, When i play this i let the music do the talking instead of me, What a great cd Thanks Kevin rest in peace man

This isn't your father's Quiet Riot here. Rehab is a record short on the cheese metal that made them famous but chock full of amazing straight up rock songs. Trust me. Order this album right now and enjoy. I find it fitting that the final QR record due to the passing of Kevin Dubrow may well be the band's finest hour. Kevin's vocals and Frankie Banali's drums are flat out amazing here. I swear when I hear the drums on Rehab I feel like John Bonham is in the room. RIP Kevin and thank you for your contribution to rock music. Fly on......