YOUNGBLOOD — No Retreat (review)

YOUNGBLOOD — No Retreat album cover Album · 2012 · Hard Rock Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
Time Signature
Pump it up...

Genre: hard rock

Authentic 80s hard rock released in 2012, Youngblood's "No Retreat" was recorded back in 1989 but only got released now, thanks to Eönian Records (remastered and remixed). I, for one, really appreciate that this album got released, because it is a lesson in groove and attitude, and reminds us of the happy partying days of pre-grunge hard rock.

The opening track 'Pump it Up' is a funky affair almost beating Aerosmith at what they did best, and 'Love Is All Around' is equally rich in groove, plus its basic drive is no less than an invitation to a carefree 80s hard rock party. Not all tracks are equally up to scratch - which can be expected from an album with 16 songs on it, but the two above-mentioned tracks as well as the party metal track 'Sock It To Me' (this one features some pretty awesome melodic metal riffage) are really good, which also applies to 'Feel Thang' which is another funk oriented track, although the verses are kinda sleazy. The amazing 'Back in My Life' is probably the best track of the album, rivaling Kixx and Def Leppard (back when Def Leppard were good, that is). The last handful of songs - with the exception of 'You Got To Go' - are, I must say, pretty cheesy and not something I find interesting at all.

True to 80s hard rock, the production is characterized by the use of reverb, but, thankfully, this is with restrain, so it is not like everything is drowned in reverb, but the music is definitely stadium-ready, if you know what I mean. some listeners might find the varying production quality from track to track distracting, but given the history of the album, this is something I am more than willing to accept.

Fans of uplifting pre-grunge hard rock should like this album - and especially if dirty funk hard rock in the vein of Aerosmith is their cup of tea. "No Retreat" is admittely not really original, but as party-oriented semi-glammy hard rock goes, it is a very good album indeed.
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