Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of my Top-3 fav records of All-Time..., March 7, 2007
I grew up in Portland, Oregon where the Dan Reed Network first formed, but I have to admit that I never really got into their stuff until after their 2nd record came out--which of course is Slam. I have worked in radio for almost 17 years now, and I have been fortunate to have seen more than my share of live concerts...and two of my top 5 favorite are live performances by the Dan Reed Network (for what its worth, my #1 choice is the Eagles--hands down the best I have ever seen). My first exposure was a free concert they did in downtown Portland as they celebrated being hand-picked by Bon Jovi to open up for them on their European leg of their world tour (I could be wrong, but I think it was the summer of 1989 or '90). Man what a great show that was. I was hooked instantly.
I immediately went out and bought their first album, and by the end of the day I grabbed Slam, too. What can I say? A very electronic-sounding hard rock band is a great way to describe their overall sound. Kind of if Prince merged with Def Leppard...yeah, I realize that is an odd combination, but TRUST me, it works. Working in radio we look for songs that have that instant listener appeal, and I can name at least 5 songs that were never released to the American charts--but SHOULD HAVE BEEN. My personal fav has GOT to be 'Rainbow Child', a song I dedicated to my daughter the night of her birth in 1992. Immediately after the song finished, I got a TON of calls wanting to know, 'Who sang that song??' Not many people in Idaho had been exposed to the Dan Reed Network, and THAT'S a shame. Radio friendly is a great way to describe this record. From the title track to 'Tiger In A Dress' to a song that my wife and I have agreed is *Our Song*, 'Stronger Than Steel'. If you want rockin' dance appeal, check out, 'Under My Skin' and the list goes on. Once again, I am stumped that these boys never hit the mainstream the way that others did who are obviously less talented. Take a listen to this record and you'll know why. I don't even know if the guys are even still together, but if you EVER get the opportunity to see them perform, you absolutely MUST buy a ticket. Outstanding is the best word I can use, in fact the only band I can honestly say sounded better on stage were The Eagles. If I were stranded on an island and had to pick five CD's to bring with me, 'Slam' is an absolute no-brainer for my personal list. I could listen to this record over and over for a very long time--and had my son not accidentally broke my original CD, I would STILL be listening to it today. Absolutely AWESOME.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
3.5 stars - much better than the S/T debut, June 23, 2006
Marketed as a more committed, rockier version of the DRN, this album is a real growth. The title itself gives fair warning.
The first two cuts are darn fine funky hard rock. If you listen to the two of 'em and like what you hear then buy this album. There are a number of rockers on offer here with a number of more musically spacious numbers. Dans vocals are still more spoken than sung and there is once again a slightly off-kilter electronic feel to the sound but less so than the debut. The overal production is better and fuller here.
The guitars on this album are allowed more spotlight indicating a more rock direction, obviously the bands target audience after millions of teenage girls DIDN'T go and buy their earlier stuff. Yet the rear cover photo is more pretty boy and polished.
Musically the guys aren't in the same ballpark as Living Colour, the funk here is more 2nd hand. But they were starting to carve their own niche with this record, critics at the time falling over themselves to tout them as the next big thing, even forgiving such silly stunts as Dan cutting off all his hair to protest rock cliches (true story!).
Definitely buy this album if you want to explore DRN as it's easily more accessable for the first time listener than the S/T debut.
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~ Dan Reed Network
~ Dan Reed Network
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by Dan Reed Network 
