Among the slew of re-issues from Music Video Distributors lately is this Metal Mayhem pair: "Blaze of Glory" and "Rock the American Way," both by Jack Starr's Burning Starr. Though I'd not heard of the band prior to the re-issue, plenty of folks have. Starr mentions in the liner notes to one of these releases that the originals are in excess of $100 now (on eBay and elsewhere, I suppose). As one would expect with the "American Way" title, this is, indeed, American metal and it sounds like it. I don't think Starr was trying to come off like anybody else, though his music isn't as distinctive as some. But he obviously loves the genre and this vintage American hard rock shows it. The heart beats big in these tunes, the enthusiasm is contagious, the melodies (and the guitars) are big. It's exactly the sort of thing to hit the spot for the classic metal nerd (probably not the best term for metal cultdom - and just for the record, I do dig classic metal - the Scorpions are a terrific metal act!). Again, the upside of re-issues of less mainstream acts is that metalheads worn out on the usual suspects have new avenues to explore. And these 2 CDs also stand as historical pieces, though I don't say that to imply that this music has aged any worse than any other music of the genre. If "Rock the American Way" and "Blaze of Glory" are showing their age - and I'm not saying they are - it's the genre that is aging more than the music. Starr was embracing the hot, vibrant sound of the era, which he most certainly loved, and which he did well. A nice mingling of hard rock and out-and-out heavy metal (the genres are more blurred then than now, it seems to me), chock full of melodies and, of course, on-fire instrumental work and sizzling classic metal vocals. It's a welcoming sound to anybody who grew up in the era and it's also a cool education in what was going on that I missed. Naturally, as I said, plenty did not miss it, and you readers should take note that there is a devoted fan base. So I'm not the only one saying that Starr was doing something right. (Metal Mayhem) Visit www.mvdb2b.com
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AUTHOR: Upchuck Undergrind
Upchuck Undergrind listens to a little bit of a lot of things - just note the eclecticism of his reviews. He also reads voraciously and loves movies. He is a very open-minded Episcopalian (and student of Buddhism and Hinduism) who thinks Slayer is one of the greatest metal bands. Ever. In addition to his work with Corazine - for which he has written since its inception (he is a Fishcomcollective veteran) - he also writes for DJFix.com.