Hollywood Rocks Various Artists 2005 Cleopatra

First there was the Hollywood Rocks! book, an outstanding book filled with glossy photos from 1980’s Sunset Strip bands. Now we have the ‘musical companion.’ This is a 4 CD box set giving a comprehensive look at the whole 1980’s to early 1990’s Los Angeles music scene. The four CD’s cover the years 1980 to 1992, and with 19 or 20 songs on each disc, this is a hell of a lot of music. There are bands you already know, bands whose names you’ll recognise but have never heard, and bands you haven’t heard of before. The most noteable exclusion is Motley Crue, but there is so much on here that you don’t really notice, and all the other main bands from that era, such as L.A. Guns, WASP, Ratt and Faster Pussycat are included. There is no Guns N’ Roses either, but Axl’s former band Hollywood Rose is featured. My favourites are Whatever Happened To Fun? By Gilby Clarke’s old band Candy, and Hush Child by the Rock City Angels, who, judging by this song, should have perhaps become better known. Also good, but kind of ridiculous is Great White’s On Your Knees. Would any right-minded female get down on their knees for a man called Jack Russell? I think not. This box set is worth the price alone for one song- Stryper’s To Hell With The Devil. I have never heard anything quite like it. The singer hits such high notes in such a strange voice it sounds like both his neck and testicles are being strangled. As if Christian metal wasn’t funny enough already! Obviously there are a few songs that aren’t great, but out of a collection of nearly 80 songs that’s to be expected. Step forward Plain Jane, and their cover of the Time Warp. This was Jani Lane’s old band, and you can tell how bad they were when I say that joining Warrant was a step forward for Jani. This is an amazing box set that comes in a nice black leather box, and includes a fantastic booklet that gives a brief history of every band included. This is really interesting and informative, but reading it all at once will pickle your head completely- every musician has seemingly played with every other band, and it makes you see how incestuous the whole Hollywood scene was (and is… look at Kerri Kelli. Is there a band he hasn’t been in?) WARNING- do NOT even think about what a Hollywood musical family tree would look like. You’ll give yourself a tumour. At around £40 this is definitely worth the money, and perfect for anyone who either lived the whole Sunset Strip scene, or wishes they did. So pour yourself a Jack Daniels, sit back, and imagine you’re in The Rainbow! 9/10 Suzie