Customer Reviews

Xyz

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4 star:		(4)
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XYZ is the eponymous debut of the Hollywood-based metal band that was formed in 1985. Don Dokken produced this album and, like the band Dokken, XYZ plays straight forward, radio friendly 1980s metal, although their music is heavier than Dokken's. Released in 1989, XYZ is similar to briefly popular metal bands of the late 1980s like Winger, Hurricane, etc. Although the album is not spectacular, there is not anything weak on it either. Standout tracks include the single "Maggy" and the addictive "Tied Up." XYZ released a couple more albums after this one, but never achieved much fame. Their first album was released a little too late to capitalize on the 1980s hair metal scene which is unfortunate because they were better than a lot of bands that hit it big (however briefly) during that time. Still, XYZ is decent and solid and anyone who likes the aforementioned bands will like this album.

When I first heard this album, I thought, man this band rocks! Ballads or rockers, their music kickass! And the guitarist plays some mean guitar! Many said they sounded like Dokken (since Don Dokken was the producer) but to me, they sounded much better, they rock harder and their ballads are better too.

Too bad, they came out little too late, when the music scene is starting to be taken over by those 'grunge' bands ala nirvana. Thus, sadly, they never really got the recognition they deserved.

This disc is for anyone that wants their melodic rock and now! The first track maggy is really great grabs a hold of you. Inside out has some very catchy guitar, but what keeps me loving you, and follow the night are top notch power ballads, with great guitar on them. Only way I can describe the sound is dokken like, which makes sense since don produced it. Pick this up yesterday and p.s. the 2nd album hungry is just as lethal!!

Between mid 1980's and early 1990's, Dokken released a few good albums. The albums "Tooth & Nail" and "Back For The Attack" had some killer riffs, excellent lead guitar playing and good song writing but neither nor any other Dokken album set my world on fire. But for some reason, I was pulled to listen to their music. I have no explanation other than to say it's possible I was hoping that one day they would deliver a knock out album. That never happened. However, I just happened to run across this album on the day it was released back in 1989 and saw that it was produced by Don Dokken so I made the purchase. I'll sum it up with this simple statement: This is the best album Dokken never made. George Lynch was an excellent guitarist (overrated in my opinion) but I found Marc Diglio's sound and style even more impressive. I could never really get used to Don Dokken's voice but Terry Ilous' lyrical renderings were more to my liking. The song writing is impressive which suggest that though this is their debut album, the band honed its chops writing and playing on the road. I still have this album after all of these years and it still floors me every time I take a listen. Every song has a different flavor. My personal favorites are "Maggie" for it's melodic simplicity and tasty guitar solo, the bluesy "Follow The Night", the sincerity of the ballad "What Keeps Me Loving You" and the surprisingly mean sounding "Take What You Can". Incidentally, I saw XYZ perform in a Washington DC club called The Bayou about 6 months after the release of this album and you talk about putting on a show! They were unbelievable. Vocalist Terry Ilous had great command both over his own voice and the crowd and Marc Diglio's guitar playing was even more impressive live. No ifs, ands or buts about it. The guy could flat out play. If melodic hard rock/metal is your forte, buy this album because it sit well along side of or may very well replace your favorite Dokken, Tora Tora or Danger Danger album.

I've long since given up trying to figure out why some bands make it and others fail to do so, but you really have to wonder why XYZ never really reached the same level of success as bands like Steelheart or Firehouse. They had a great sound that should have gone over quite well in the late 80s, and yet I don't recall ever hearing their music or seeing any MTV videos back then, and I was a total junkie for this kind of music.

The band released their self-titled debut in 1989. The album was produced by Don Dokken, so you definitely catch bits of Dokken in XYZ's sound, though it is closer to the typical hair metal sound than Dokken was. The band stuck pretty close to the hair metal formula in terms of musical style and songwriting, but they managed not to sound overly clichéd or cheesy - no mean feat. What makes the album really stand out is Terry Ilous's powerful vocal performance. His voice is like a lower-pitched Mike Matijevic (see "Souvenirs", which could have been a Steelheart single), and gives the album a slightly bluesy feel that adds some depth to the songs. Check him out on the soulful ballad "What Keeps Me Loving You" for a great example of that.

I hate that so may people (myself included) overlooked XYZ when they were originally active, because they were one of the scene's better bands. Instead, while Slaughter and the Bulletboys were selling albums by the truckload, XYZ and its 1991 follow-up album Hungry went largely unnoticed and the band members went their separate ways.

If you're still into hair metal and 80's rock, you'd do well to add some XYZ albums to your collection.

Edition Notes: XYZ was reissued in 2001 by French reissue label Axe Killer. The reissue features digitally remastered sound, expanded liner notes, a slipcase and the b-side "On the Blue Side of the Night" as a bonus track. It's a bit more difficult to track down than the original version, but it's well worth the effort (and price).

I bought this album to fill the empty x space in my alphabet of cd's. To my surprise, this was one of the best hair metal albums ever made. These guys are talented! Too bad nirvana killed the scene, or this band would have had several good albums. I own the 2nd one too (Stay Hungry), it's good, but not as good as this one. Great guitar works (bass and lead,) great singer, and a great drummer. When you see it used for over $20.00, you know it's gotta be somfin special.

Heard one of their songs, Maggy, in a movie (can't remember which one now) and went looking for their album. What a stroke of luck. I stumbled into one of the more solid bands around. From "Inside OUt", "Take What You Can", and "Come On N Love ME", this is great guitar rock. An awesome album to add to your rock collection.

Have seen these guys half a dozen times over the years and they have been great every time. Cross between Dokken and Motley Crue. If you get this CD, you WILL need to get the follow up - Hungry.

XYZ came into the game a little late in 1989 however they brought a keg of dynamite when they arrived. This is one of the best albums of 1989 if you like killer guitar in your music. XYZ came to rock hard, and Don Dokken recognizd that and produced this baby for them.

If you love stuff like Dokkens Back for the Attack , which had some of George Lynch's best guitar on it then you will do some flips for the guitar attack done by these guys. I still pull this one out from time to time and give it a spin, to remind myself of just how good it is. Most of the best music from the eighties really never made it that big just due to the fact that the big boys of Poison , Warrant, and the Crue and all the others allready had the radio stations and mtv all tied up.

However music was taking a change bands were dropping the glam, and just plain ole rock'n again. And this new genre didnt have much time to make their mark or show that change was coming. Rather in a couple of years grunge would break out and back shelf some of the best bands of the late eighties and early nineties. These bands like XYZ and a slew of others are the little gems that I personally seek out and buy, because they knew how to throw down some great rock n roll.

Get out of the norm and sink yourself into that period were rock was being re-discovered with bands like XYZ. Youll find some stuff that you will love.

If you are a fan of the 80's Hair Bands, this is one of the best, and unfortunately most overlooked by the mainstream. XYZ's first two albums were phenomenal, and Letter to God isn't to bad. Every aspect is strong, Ilous has incredible vocal talent and the guitars leave you perfectly satisfied. This is a must have, period.