Spread Eagle (Reissue) [Original recording reissued]

Spread Eagle | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 13, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 1990
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Original recording reissued
• Label: LOVEMBER RECORD
• ASIN: B000KP63G0
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,508 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Broken City

2. Back on the Bitch

3. Switchblade Serenade

4. Hot Sex

5. Suzy Suicide

6. Dead of Winter

7. Scratch Like a Cat

8. Thru These Eyes

9. Spread Eagle

10. 42nd. Street

11. Shotgun Kisses

Editorial Reviews

Review

First off, let's not confuse anyone on this review. Yes, this album was released in the early 90's. So why talk about it now? Well, the band is currently active again and their debut release has been remastered and re-issued through Lovember Records. This reissue was discussed in my recent chat with Bassist Rob De Luca. Fans will already be aware of the music after all the years. For those who may just be embracing hard rock as it was, this band plays it loud and nasty New York style. The band have a revitalized album with the remaster that sounds really good. The thing that stands out for me with this version of the album is the clarity. I am hearing things for the first time that I am sure were probably there on the first go around. The album also sounds a bit more balanced overall with everything getting equal attention. As Rob said in the interview, the guitars are dropped a little and the drums come out a bit more. It all sounds good and gives the album a nice updated sound that fits today's standards. As I usually do, I'll let you in on what I like best track-wise. The opener, 'Broken City' is a great way to get it all going. One of my favorite rock tracks of any album is 'Switchblade Serenade'. This track to me holds the test of time. 'Suzy Suicide' has great attitude as does 'Scratch Like a Cat'. 'Thru These Eyes' gives a bit of balance to the album. All in all the album is a great debut and has an appeal in my opinion to be accessible to a younger crowd as it was quite a few years ago. Sounds great back then and even better now! Overall The remaster of the the bands debut sounds great. This album had alot of grit and attitude and really was one of the better releases back in it's day. It showcases the bands true nature as musicians. This album could do well in today's market with it's updated sound. If you haven't checked this one out, it's a flash from the past that holds up well today. Great hard rock record! --HeavyMetalResource.com - Dave Palmer

The story behind Spread Eagle: While rehearsing/writing in a dingy East Village basement for their first gig, rumours began leaking out to the record industry. The group was quickly snatched up and signed to MCA/Universal, then sent straight into the legendary Record Plant recording studio. Additional tunes for the debut album had to be written while recording was taking place. By the time work began on the follow-up "Open To The Public", session drummers John Macaluso (Yngwie Malmsteen, TNT, James La Brea) and Thommy Price (Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Billy Idol) were brought in. After the touring of "Open To The Public", the band disbanded to pursue other projects. Listen up fans of early Skid Row, Faster Pussycat, GNR, LA Guns, Ratt or Big Bad Wolf and even Slaughter. This is a must have in your collection. Now is the time to get it on CD. If you want to use the word nostalgic now and then, this is a good moment for that. Spread Eagle make your 80s fire burn again. Sharp guitars and the vocals could be taken from an early Sebastian Basch era. Some say that this band kicked more ass than Skid Row. That is to go a bit far over the line, but almost isn't to bad either. A golden star to Lovember Records for the remastering of the album we all loved back in 1990. --AORDreamZones.com - Johnny Forslund

When you think back to the hey-days of Hair Metal, a few things stand out. Number one, great music. But besides the long hair, incessant partying, people running around singing if you have the clap and you know it clap your hands, there were bands who nailed down impressive names. Bands like Guns N Roses, Motley Crue, Poison, Skid Row ... and one that might have slipped past you, Spread Eagle. Another thing these aforementioned bands had in common is that they made stellar music that could stand the test of Grunge and time. If you didn t get on the Spread Eagle bandwagon first time around, they have re-released their 1990 self-titled CD, and it encapsulates everything about this kind of metal that ruled the roost. While only utilizing one guitarist, their sound is immense, and it makes you think there has to be two guitars going on. Dokken was a band who could fill a venue with their mammoth sound using only one guitarist (cuz George Lynch is a legend), and Spread Eagle s music isn t all that far behind. If you had to pinpoint their sound, it d be like a cross between Skid Row and Love/Hate. Spread Eagle begins with Broken City, a song with a Billy Squire-ish opening riff. When West opens his maw to sing, you are in for a treat. This guy can wail, howl, sing and scream with the best of them. Broken City is different kind of song, one that doesn t get into the opening verse until 1:20 into the track. West just snarls the pre-chorus as he screams, People call this living Hell ... I call this Broken City home! While the riffs are somewhat brutal and heavy, the solo is oddly melodic, in a good way. DiBartolo plays a screaming solo everything about this song is good. You may remember their biggest hit, Switchblade Serenade. It was a great song back in 1990, and still is today. It begins with a somewhat ominous and bluesy rhythm passage, and the guitar cuts with in West singing the chorus as the opening lines of the track. Really, you have to just s --HardrockHaven.net - Derric Miller

Product Description

Spread Eagle's Debut Album has been been reissued by Lovember Records. Originally released in 1990 by MCA/Universal it has been out of print for ten years. Regarded by many as being a ""classic"" this album has been digitally remastered and contains all 11 songs. ""Switchblade Serenade"" and ""Scratch Like A Cat"" received strong airplay on rock radio and their videos were in heavy rotation on MTV's Headbanger's Ball. Other album favorites are ""Broken City"" and the dramatic ballad ""Thru These Eyes"". The band built a strong international following supported by non-stop touring. Many in the industry considered Spread Eagle to be the Guns 'N Roses of New York. In 2006 the group reunited for a U.S. tour.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW! Does this bring back memories, February 20, 2009

By 

Rebecca Balent (Pennsylvania, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spread Eagle (Reissue) (Audio CD)

I have to say, this album takes me back to a time and place. NYC early 90's, before Nirvana, before Pearl Jam, when rock was raw, crotch grabbing music. This album is in my top ten metal albums of all time. Ray West has an incredible voice and I think they should have been wildly successful had they been better promoted. Every song is great. A must-have!!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LOST SLEAZE GEM - REMASTERED & REISSUED!, September 29, 2008

By 

C. R. Belshe (Shawnee, OK USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spread Eagle (Reissue) (Audio CD)

"I'm in a stripper bar, ready for my T&A" - Spread Eagle

Wordsmiths they're not - but late 80's NYC glam band Spread Eagle made no apologies and put out this blistering, sleazy hard rock eponymous debut that has been woefully overlooked. After being long out-of-print it is now remastered and available by Lovember Records.

From the opening strains of "Broken City" to the dulcet tones of "Switchblade Serenade" this is about as sleazy a release to come out of the 80s glam era. Spread Eagle were a cut above other outfits of the day and the musicianship, vocals and production are top notch and exude sleaze!

Typical cornball 80s lyrics in songs like "Scratch Like A Cat" and "Suzy Suicide" aside, this is an outstanding glam gem and I'm glad to see it reissued.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Same sound......just a little better on the mix!!!!!, April 28, 2008

By 

Wolverine "Wolverine" (Archer Lodge NC USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Spread Eagle (Reissue) (Audio CD)

I picked this up so I could let the rest of the band I'm in hear it....they thought it was pretty awesome!!!! I got the guys in the band by 10 years so I am slowly introducing them to some great stuff from the late 80's early 90's. This is a gem...a must have.