Strange but true- Johnny Depp was originally a member of this band before deciding to become an actor instead, and even has a writing credit on the song Mary.

Rock City Angels were touted as the next Guns N’ Roses back in 1988 when this album was originally released, but somehow the fame that they were promised never materialised.
They certainly look cool, in their ripped jeans and cowboy boots, but is it a case of image over content?

To my ears, songs like Hard To Hold and Rumblefish are pretty average- they didn’t really make much of an impact on me. It’s nothing to do with the style of music, or the musicianship; I think it is simply the case that the songs are just not strong enough.

Normally I like this kind of bluesy rock n’ roll, but in this case I just found the majority of it lacklustre, and dare I say it, slightly dull. For a band that were hailed as the next big thing back in the 1980’s, I expected more.

Our Little Secret is definitely one of the better tracks; as is Hush Child. However, I was already familiar with Hush Child from the Hollywood Rocks Box Set, so perhaps that’s why I like it more than the others. Liza Jo is a slow, country-ish ballad with some nice piano. Bobby Durango sounds like he’s lying on a floor drunk out of his head on whisky while he’s singing it- a compliment, by the way. It’s probably my favourite one on the album.

Rock City Angels started life as a full-on glam band, writing songs with titles like ‘Teenage Lipstick Boys.’ Yes, that might sound really cheesy, but I think I would have preferred it. Maybe with further listens Young Man’s Blues will grow on me- but to be honest I don’t think I’ll be playing it enough to give it the chance.

4.5/10
Suzie