Customer Reviews

Street Lethal

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

 

 

If your a fan of 80's music, or a fan of great guitar work in general, you will LOVE this album. Not only does Paul Gilbert demonstrate his superb guitar work, it also shows the power of the other band members as well. This is the Genesis album of Racer X, and is in itself an awesome demonstration of Rock and Roll. Gilberts terrifying guitar licks and the intense drums, bass and vocals will blow you away! If your an aspiring musician, you will enjoy Pauls guitar wizardry on this album. Also purchase Second Heat for more intense action.

DONT MISS OUT! BUY THIS TODAY!

The first of many great CDs by Racer-X. Many of Racer-X's classic tunes are on this one, including Get Away, Into the Night, Loud and Clear, and Rock It. Paul Gilbert's guitar playing is jaw-dropping ... he shreds and the solos work in the context of the songs. The production on this CD is a little bit raw (this would improve by their next CD) but overall this CD rocks from start to finish.

Well, first off this is an amazing album. The gutiar work is unbelievable, and the songs themselves are not bad at all(actually they are unbelievable) I dont understand some past reviews, someone was actually acting like Mr.Big was racer x...Paul joined mr big becasue he wanted to just play some good R&R, and if youve heard the live cd's paul is absolutely stellar on them...shredding to playing great catchy songs. Back To Street Lethal...Dangerous love...into the night...Street lehthal...every song is great...Frenzy is just mind blowing.

While its hard to overestimate impact, a few years ago I heard this album and it changed the way I thought about guitar forever. Why? Because I spent hours and hours trying to learn the licks from it and it made me..a shredder!

Anyway, what is the importance of this album? Well it takes shred out of the stuffy contrived territory of instrumental albums (not to say they're all bad) with too many reverbrated drums and boring riffs, and puts it into a sound not too removed from mid-eighties Judas Priest (with a bit of maybe Dokken or Van Halen thrown in (especially the last three tracks)). Unlike alot of "Shred" albums, the WHOLE BAND is talented, and the drums don't sound like a drum machine (in fact, the drummer on their second album on, would later go on to play with Priest themselves). Also, with regards to bass talents, noone comes close to Juan Alderte's talent other than guys like Billy Sheehan, etc (Alderte would later go on play with bands such as...Mars Volta!)
Jeff Martin rounds it all up with his gruffer Halford inspired vocals (he moonlights as a drummer himself in many bands) and you have a mid-eighties "supergroup" ready to conquer the world (which unfortunately they didn't). However, what really makes the album distinct is of course Paul Gilbert. Paul Gilbert (unlike alot of other "neo classical shredders) didn't forget how to write good riffs, and catchy phrases, but also plays as fast as Malmsteen (but possibly more precise). He was pretty young at the time as well (18 or 19 I believe) and that fact makes it all the more worthwhile. So in summation, the album is not some guitar geek album, it actually gains status as a pretty classic metal album as well!

I can't believe I'm just now getting around to discovering these guys.This is everything you want in a metal album.Blistering solos,pounding drums and soaring vocals.Yes,this is raw, in your face old school metal definitely in the style of Judas Priest.Lead vocalist Jeff Martin is not quite as polished sounding as Rob Halford,but still does a great job.Paul Gilbert shreds and gives this album its ferocious edge with blazing, intense guitar licks.All of the songs are great but the standouts were the classics,"Hotter than Fire","Into the Night","Rock It" and "Getaway"."Street Lethal" is a speed metal track that starts the album off with a bang and is similar to Accept's "Fast as a Shark".Listening to this album makes you remember why you got into metal to begin with.The songwriting and musicianship were fantastic,but it's too bad the production was lame or this could have been even better.

Racer X was one of a number of lesser known bands that were actually making better music than the so called"poser" bands that nearly ruined metal.There's no way guys this talented should be on an indie label.This mid 80's album was released at a time when glam metal bands such as Ratt and Poison ruled the scene and all others were left out in the cold.If you like the guitar work of Eddie Van Halen or Dimebag,then I would highly recommend this album.Don't miss this one!The madness continues on the next album,Second Heat which is another must own.Street Lethal is a great album for the aspiring musician or anyone who loves metal.

Similar albums include:
Judas Priest-Painkiller
Riot-Thundersteel
Loudness-Thunder in the East

Let's cut the crap: This CD ROCKS. Well, that's if you like mind-blowing guitar work, with Judas Priest style vocal stylings.

Yeah, this is a great disc. The late 80s never sounded so rocking...

This is Racer X,s first album and is a frenzy of high voltage metal. I believe this is Paul Gilbert's first band. This is good stuff. Paul is an amazing guitarist in my opinion.

Racer x was a great band, they're just to poppy for me. Essential listening for guitar players though.

This is the first album from Paul Gilbert and Racer X. Production is a little lacking, but the songs are very solid and has some of Racer X's most popular songs like Into the Night, Loud and Clear, and Dangerous Love. A must have of rock guitarists.

Paul Gilbert and Co., on their debute album. Razor sharp GTR riffs,
pounding drums and good bass licks, is what you're in for on this CD.
Racer X's is a great band. They have very little air play, and didn't
have enough exposure.
If you're a fan of 80's metal and all things guitar, this is one that
should be in your collection.