GREAT WHITE - Great White

A record sounding like Great White, undoubtedly, but a less refined sound than what the boys would play just a few years later during their “glory” years. The quotation marks are only for Romanian readers, as I think the band has been much more appreciated in the West (and this would not be the only case). 

I would dare say that this is aligned to other productions of the time. Songwriting is clearly influenced by NWOBHM, without blues influences (that would appear later), a raw sound that not only defines the early 80s in rock, but is perhaps more pleasant to the ear compared to most of today’s productions, full of synthesizers, computers and all sorts of audio photoshopping. 

It might appeal to nostalgia fans (but not only). Dead End and Out of the Night remind of early Motley Crue, in riffs and songwriting, while No Better than Hell and On Your Knees are on the Judas Priest side. Substitute sounds like it was written by Dee Snider (and in some places even played by Twisted Sister). I’m not trying to say that this is an album that lacks any personality whatsoever and I doubt that they peeked in the neighbors’ courtyards. They might have fatter chicken, but these Californian’s are no skinny chickens, and at least the two eggs stand proof, Hold On and Bad Boys, the jewels of this record.

Not that I have spouted enough silliness, let’s be honest: if you miss an “old rusty album”, instead of listening to another for the nth time, get this one. 

Cristake Nota: 7.5