Hard Rock Music Time Machine – 10/19/17

Each Thursday, Hard Rock Music Time Machine takes a journey back in time to feature a variety of songs that date back as far as the ’70s.

In addition to appearing on the embedded YouTube playlist below, all songs featured on Hard Rock Music Time Machine can be listened to individually by clicking on the hyper-linked song titles above each review.

 

 

ADAM WALDMAN – (Publisher, Hard Rock Daddy)

TOM KEIFER – “The Way Life Goes” (2013)

Back in 2013, Tom Keifer (of Cinderella fame) released an outstanding solo album entitled The Way Life Goes.  This past week, the official video for the title track was released.  You’re probably wondering what took so long.  I know that I was surprised by the announcement.  However, it turns out that Keifer will be releasing a deluxe edition of the album tomorrow.  It will feature remastered sound, unreleased tracks and videos, and contain expanded packaging designed by Fantoons artist, David Calcano.

In a recent interview with Ultimate Classic Rock, Keifer said that when the album was originally released, he was at a personal (and creative) crossroads.  He started recording tracks for the album in 2003, but it was delayed because of a legal battle with the record company.  On top of that, he faced an even bigger challenge as he battled vocal paralysis that left his singing career in doubt.

“The Way Life Goes” is a diversion from Keifer’s signature sound with Cinderella.  The high-register notes (which sound painful to hit) are replaced on this song with a more soulful, bluesy sound.  The shuffling beat and harmonica set the tone for a cooler, more subdued vibe than Cinderella fans are used to.  As the song progresses, the honkytonk energy kicks in, and magic happens with the melodic backing vocals.

If you somehow missed out on this outstanding album back in 2013, this is your chance to take a second bite of the apple (so to speak).
 

 
CINDERELLA – “Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)” (1988)

In 1988, Tom Keifer had no way of knowing what might eventually be gone in the future.  I’m sure that he never imagined when he was hitting notes that few could hit that he would eventually battle vocal paralysis that made him unsure if he would ever sing again.  As I listened to the song again this week, it reminded me that we take so many things for granted, just assuming that they will always be around.  The loss of Tom Petty reminded us that is not the case.

This past week, the rock world was dealt another scare when Keifer had to cancel a show in Pennsylvania due to a medical emergency.  From the looks of things, the emergency seems to have been caused by heat exhaustion and severe dehydration.  Keifer plans on resuming his tour schedule as planned, but his health scare was a stark reminder of how true these poignant lyrics are…“you don’t know what you got…till it’s gone.”

Thankfully, yet another devastating blow from the rock world was averted.

When you think of ‘80s power ballads, it’s hard to think of many that have stood the test of time the way that this song has.  Nearly three decades after its release, it remains a personal favorite to this day.
 

 

 

 ANDY CHEUNG – HRD Music Scout

FEAR FACTORY – “Linchpin” (2001)

The pioneers of industrial metal released one of my favorite songs back in 2001.  Although this band got lumped into the “nu-metal” genre (probably because of their unique sound and image), their music was way ahead of its time.  From their album Digimortal, the industrial sound of Dino Cazares and songwriter/frontman Burton C. Bell paved the way for the industrial metal genre, even recruiting the likes of Gene Hoglan as drummer for a brief period.  Fear Factory has always been one of my favorites ever since I could remember.

 

METAL ALLEGIANCE – “We Rock” (2015)

Back in 2011, some musicians started jamming together and created a Ronnie James Dio tribute entitled Metal Allegiance.  Where else can you get some of the industries greatest musicians jamming on some of the best Dio songs ever written?  Metal Allegiance’s cover of Dio’s “We Rock” is impressive (to say the least).  The group boasts the talents of Mark Osugueda of Death Angel, Aliisa White-Gluz of Arch Enemy, Chuck Billy and Alex Skolnick of Testament, Tim Ripper Owens, Mike Portnoy, Steve Zetro Souza of Exodus and Dave Ellefson of Megadeth.  Other musicians make special appearances throughout the video as well.  A great cover from a bunch of great musicians paying tribute to one of the greatest frontmen in metal history.
 

 

 

KEVIN GRAYSON – HRD Music Scout

ANTI-MORTEM – “100% Pure American Rage” (2014)

I don’t know about you, but I’m always on the hunt for that album that you can just listen to all the way through, over and over again.  Those albums are few and far between.  Anti-Mortem’s New Southern is one of those albums.  The song “100% Pure American Rage” is the first song that I heard from the album, and it didn’t take me long to buy it.  I was not disappointed!  Every song has something catchy about it.  I believed that they were the next big thing to fill the void that Pantera left, but they have since disbanded.  If you dig Anti-Mortem, make sure to check out their guitar player Zain Smith’s new band, Locust Grove.  They have an in-your-face, hard-driving, hard rock style similar to Anti-Mortem.

 

ICON – “On Your Feet” (1984)

The ‘80s was a time when numerous bands were trying to get their break.  Icon is one of those bands that should have hit the big time, but for some reason, they just flew under the radar.  I found their cassette tape at a Sound Shop in 1984 when I was staying at my grandma’s house for the summer.  As crazy as it might sound, I bought the album because of the cool looking picture on the cover.  Also, the song titles sounded pretty cool. Icon was my gold standard at that time.  I told everyone about them as often as I could.  The song may sound a bit dated today, and the video is cheesy, but then again, so were a lot of others back then.  Those that love the ‘80s will understand.  This song speaks for itself, so get “On Your Feet” stand and be counted!