50SHR #37: Black 'n Blue (Oregon)

50 STATES OF HARD ROCK #37: OREGON

Band: Black 'n Blue
Release: Without Love
Year: 1985
Line-up: Jaime St James (vocals), Tommy Thayer (guitars), Jef Warner (guitars), Patrick Young (bass), Pete Holmes (drums)

Track Listing:

1. Rockin' on Heaven's Door   2.   Without Love   3.   Stop The Lighting   4.   Nature Of The Beach   5.   Miss Mystery   6.   Swing Time   7.   Bombastic Plastic   8.   We Got The Fire   9.   Strange Things   10.   Two Wrongs (Don't Make It Love)

Fletchanator's comment: I've already shared the 1984 debut album of Portland, Oregon rockers Black 'n Blue on this blog (find it here), and here now is their second release from a year later. While it doesn't have a "hit" on par with the debut's Hold On To 18, I'd argue that this album is better overall. Their sound went slightly downhill after this (with Tommy Thayer's future KISS bandmate Gene Simmons taking over production), so this is their best album in my opinion.
The sound on Without Love is definitely quite poppy. Lyrics were never Black 'n Blue's strongpoint, but who cares because they're all about partying and having fun. I liken their overall sound on this album to what Trixter did in the early 90s - lightweight catchy melodic hard rock.
Highly recommended if you need a pick-me-up, because you can't help but smile as you listen to this album.

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