FollowKane Roberts you say? Isn’t that the album from the late 80’s that I have to sell my kidney to buy?
OK, I’ll admit that might be an exaggeration, but I have seen this rare album selling at ridiculously high prices, and that’s when a copy can be found at all.
However, thanks to Yesterrock Records, this album is now seeing a re-issue. So good news boys and girls, that means you can now own this album and keep your kidneys as of 20th April 2012.
So what does this album sound like 25 years since its original release, and should I fork out the cash?
Kane Roberts, as many of you will know, is probably best known as Alice Cooper’s guitarist on the albums Constrictor and Raise Your Fist To Hell. So it will come as no surprise to find out that he is an excellent guitarist and there is some great riffing throughout this album. This is showcased by the instrumental track Gorilla. So obviously, we have to talk about the vocals.
It’s a sad fact that a number of guitarists and other musicians, while great in a band, may find themselves not quite competent enough to handle lead vocals when they decide to go it solo.
It gives me great pleasure to say that Kane surprised me here. While I expected a passable voice, what I actually heard was reminiscent of one Mr Gene Simmons (if I have to tell you that he’s from KISS you’re reading the wrong webpage). As a vocalist, Kane has the vocal power to really rock it out loud, and the skill to hold and carry the notes perfectly. So Kane has managed to hit the mark on this album with both his riffing and his vocals, but what about the quality writing and overall sound?
Well the lyrics of the song Full Pull was written by none other than Alice Cooper, and that influence is evident throughout this track as it feels like a Cooper song. Other songs, such as Triple X could sit proudly on any of KISS’s 80’s albums, and Out For Blood set me in mind of Ted Nugent’s work on the second Damn Yankee’s album. There is also a bit of a Helix feel to this album in my opinion.
For me, the main highlights from this album include the opening song Rock Doll, Too Much (For Anyone To Touch), and my personal favourite A Strong Arm Needs A Strong Heart – all three of which should have been major rock anthems of the late 80’s.
This album sounds as good now as ever, is filled with great harmonies and solid 
riffing, has a real feel good factor and makes you want to sing along loudly while punching the air. I’d recommend it to all fans of late 80’s stadium and melodic hard rock, but particularly to fans of KISS, Helix and obviously Alice Cooper.
So the verdict? 9/10. This is a great album. I blasted this album while speeding down the motorway, and let me tell you my friends, it felt good.
So click here to buy the album from Yesterrock Records. Then play it very loudly.