Customer Reviews

Vegas Must Die

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4 star:		(3)
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Jizzy has been around in many bands since the late 80's. I first heard Jizzy while he was singing for Love/Hate when they opened for AC/DC in 1990. That was my first concert and I was 13. I have followed Jizzy through Love/Hate's ups & downs and from one band to the other. Prior to this recording, I was most impressed with the work he did on L.A. Guns "Shrinking Violet" album (pick that album up if you are a Jizzy fan at all).

"Vegas Must Die" is Jizzy's most mature work to date. The songs are well written and have a "classic" rock feel without sounding dated. There is a good mix of influences on this including Led Zeppelin, AC/DC among others. Each song fits on the album perfectly. Jizzy's last solo album "Just a Boy" was very catchy but the direction was a bit lost. On this release you will see Jizzy has a focused direction with honest lyrics along with some humor. Jizzy is a unique singer and if you have not heard him, he is not unlike AC/DC. I will say this does not sound like "80's" hair metal and would fit more in just a "hard rock" category. I could see Jizzy opening for Velvet Revolver or Audioslave without a problem. This album sees Jizzy drifting a bit more into the "singer/songwriter" category and sees him distancing himself just a bit from the "glam" scene he came from. If you are a fan of anything Jizzy has done in the past, you will not be disappointed. If you are a fan of classic rock or of newer bands such as Velvet Revolver, you will be pleasantly surprised with another GREAT rock album for 2005. Is this ground breaking? Nope. Just sit back and enjoy the music for what it is. Jizzy is one of a kind and I highly recommend this album. I hope Jizzy takes this path and leaves RATT eventually because he has so much more talent than to be known as a "replacement" for Stephen Pearcy. If you still have any doubts, just BUY the CD and I am sure you will enjoy it! Ignore the album cover because is does not match the music at all.

Jizzy Pearl demonstrates a no bones approach on his 'first officially released' solo CD. Any one who knows who Jizzy Pearl is knows that when he appears on an album it is sure to rock. This one is no different. Actually this is one of Jizzy's best ever efforts lyrically and musically as he is pretty much in control of the songs from a writing credit, production credit, even handling a few of the instruments during the recording process. The last time I heard the Jizzo this good was when he recorded with L.A. Guns 'Shrinking Violet' back around 1999. Jizzo hasn't had much recording since then, a couple of 'so-called' Love/Hate releases and a book he wrote (which I haven't read), and when is Ratt ever going to record a new album???? (C'mon, get Warren, Corabi and Jizzo in the studio and bang out an album!!!!). Of the musicians appearing here is no one of particular importance other than Michael Lardie of Great White fame handling the album mix and some assistance to production and instruments. There are no tracks that stand out from one to the other, and that is no put down, this album rocks and it's what this world needs is just a great rock album from the man who never stops...Jizzy. You won't be disappointed. Vegas Must Die will more than likely have a home in my Top 20 CD's of the year. Check it out!!!

I'm a big Jizzy Pearl fan. His work is always so underrated and I just don't understand why. Love/Hate was a great band and his work with L.A. Guns was pretty solid as well. His recent run with Steven Adler's GNR band was good as is his current work with Ratt, but Ratt needs to release a new record otherwise they may as well be considered a cover band. But Jizzy solo is a very different animal.
Someone walked by my den while I was playing Vegas Must Die and working on some projects. They said, "This doesn't sound quite like your usual music." The truth is, it isn't quite hair metal the way hair metal is accepted by the public. It's a bit too raw to be considered what Jizzy is known best for.
The production on Vegas Must Die is its biggest determent. The band just doesn't sound as crisp as they should on an album released in 2005. It's clear that all the songs are quite well written and some of the lyrics are very deep and still catchy but some of the luster is lost based on the production.
Reading this so far, you all might get the impression that I don't like this album. Nothing could be further from the truth! I actually enjoy quite a few songs off the record. I suppose I just am a bit disappointed with the production quality which, while not bad, isn't as clean as it should be.
There are positives to report. For one, almost all the songs are quite well written and have fantastic lyrics with incredible guitar solos. For some songs, the guitar solo truly brings out the life of the song and pulls you in which is what a good guitar solo is supposed to do.
If you're going to buy MP3 samplers or want to know what songs I like best, I'd say to check out "Hit And Miss", "Look At You Now", "Long Time", "Good Girl", and my personal favorite track "How'd I Get So Lonely".
"Look At You Now" reminds me of Guns N' Roses quite a bit whereas "Hit And Miss" is just a flat out rocker. "Long Time" is way out there but cool as hell and "Good Girl" is an example of a solo pulling you in...without the solo, I'd probably not like the song as much as I do. But, loving "How'd I Get So Lonely" might show my age. After all, I'm getting older. I'm almost 24!
"How'd I Get So Lonely" is a softer song with fantastic lyrics and the best vocal performance by Jizzy on the record. It's soft, sweet, and radio friendly. It shall make air on my show!
Overall, it's a solid release. I'm not going to say its groundbreaking but I didn't expect it to be. Jizzy's a great singer and song writer. If you love his voice, you should pick this up.

This cd is good. A bunch of songs that were written in Vegas. Jizzy sounds great and the songs are decent enough. Some of them kind of fall flat at times, but he is not the musician playing, but the singer! so the music is pretty straight, in other words they dont stray or add a lot of improvisation. Thats the only thing missing as compared to a 'band' where everyone adds their own dimension and flaunts a little... That would be the biggest complaint i suppose. But the solo's fit well and are appropriate. The drumming is very weak and restrained though.

Some of the songs have a late 70's vibe. 'Look at You Now' is a cool track that sounds kind of 70's Bowie-ish. 'You dont Own Me' is a funky styled yet southern feeling song. 'Hit and Miss' is killer.. 'Little Dancer' has some good layered vocals. Each song is a reflection of different sides of the 'King'.

Its not a Love/Hate style or LA Guns for that matter. It is a true solo CD that has personal moments. I didnt expect a huge sounding album seeing its on Shrapnel records, but was surprised they released it seeing it is usually a label for Guitar shredders. Glad they did. Also, i am glad Jizzy had one left in him. Actually 2, but his first solo CD 'Just a Boy' is IMPOSSIBLE to find. That is an injustice. (((EDIT: Since writing the review i see that Shrapnel has Re-issued 'Just A Boy' and it will be released 10-30-07! )))

As a fan of ALL of Jizzy's work i am gonna say its a solid disc. Wont change the world, but it is a very good effort for a band-less frontman. A good old-school rock record with flavor. He truly is rock n roll royalty in my book. All this CD will do is grow on me more, im sure of that. Jizzy refuses to change his mold. I love him for that.

Anyone out there should also try to find any of his 3 books. They are great reading and very hard to find now.