After embarking on a Finnish record number of tours, Hanoi Rocks dove back into the studio to record and release their sophomore album, Oriental Beat (1982), as well as record their first ever music videos which included the tracks, Tragedy, Oriental Beat, and Motorvatin'. The song Tragedy would lead to the band's breakthrough in Japan, but overall, the album would be well received.
It would also serve as the first for vocalist Michael Monroe to contribute to song writing, whereas in their debut, all but one track was written by guitarist Andy McCoy. Katrina Leskanich, of Katrina And The Waves, would also step in to provide backing vocals on Don't Follow Me.
Despite going on to be listed on the 100 Greatest Rock Albums by the Finnish radio show, Radio Rock, the members of the band are not fans of Oriental Beat. Monroe blames the work of producer, Pete Wooliscroft, who he states mixed the album while they were on tour, with no working knowledge of who they were, or what their sound was about. Bassist Sam Yaffa would sum it up even shorter, by simply stating it as a piece of s**t.
Well, on that note, let's jump right in.
I think I'm going to have to agree with the critics and fans on this one. The album is pretty solid, and a good follow-up to their 1981 debut, Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Hanoi Rocks. Songs, Motorvatin', Don't Follow Me, No Law Or Order, Devil Woman, and Fallen Star were all standouts for me.
Nothing really steps out of a comfort zone in terms of the band evolving or changing their sound. Instead, it's just more of what came before it, and I'm fine with that. About the only addition is more prevalent use of the saxophone. As I noted in my previous review, I don't typically associate that instrument with hair metal, but it works for Hanoi Rocks.
Overall, I'm still on board, and interested in hearing more from them.
By this time the members had fully relocated to London. While taking in a show of Johnny Thunders, Monroe would meet Nicholas Charles Dingley, AKA Razzle, the drummer for a local punk band called The Dark. After learning Monroe was the lead singer for Hanoi Rocks, he began attending shows, and showing up backstage, where he soon asked to join as their new drummer. With their current drummer, Gyp Casino struggling with drug abuse, depression, and suicidal thoughts, Monroe and guitarist McCoy took him up on his request, firing Casino.
However, before the above could happen, the band would release their third album, Self Destruction Blues (also released in 1982), which comprised of singles and B-sides recorded between 1981 and 1982. That's where I pick up tomorrow.
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