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So, wow! A pretty intense and interesting battle today! Sweet desolated the Boulevard, and the calorie count, burning a solid 162 in a 24 minute time frame with 5 songs in the arsenal. That is an average of 32.4 calories burned per song and 6.75 calories burned per minute. Sweet earned a very respectable 13 out of 15 possible stars. The Copyrights were no pushovers either! Just as they make sound, they also make 105 calories disappear in 16 minutes over 7 tunes. They averaged 15.0 calories burned per song and 6.56 calories burned per minute. The Copyrights earned 17 out of 21 possible stars. So it looks like those glam metal boys in (The) Sweet win today’s crown and move on to the Final Vinyl, Randomrecordworkout championship battle! So it’s set! See you in a few for The Twins Vs. (The) Sweet

(The) Sweet: “Fox On The Run”

https://youtu.be/qBdFA6sI6-8

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The Vinyl Four Battle #2

2 ) (The) Sweet: Desolation Boulevard ( Side 2 )

Vs.

5 ) The Copyrights: Make Sound ( Side A )

2 ) (The) Sweet: Desolation Boulevard ( Side 2 )

Battle #32

Mountain: Climbing! ( Side 1 )

Vs.

Loverboy: S/T ( Side 2 )

Mountain: Climbing! ( Side 1 )

In early 1969 Leslie West put together a band with Norman Landsberg (keyboards, bass) and Ken Janick (drums) and began playing gigs and recording demos. They were experimenting with a heavier guitar sound West had developed, along the lines of Hendrix. They were joined by a few others to round out the sound. Naming themselves "Mountain", after West's 1969 solo album, the group played shows on the West Coast before getting to play their third concert as a working band at the 1969 Woodstock Festival in Bethel, New York. That’s right, their THIRD EVER GIG was Woodstock, and a very large reason why they achieved quick success. Shortly after some lineup changes occurred and that edition recorded the now classic debut, Climbing! The whirlwind began and the band was largely active from 1969-1972 at which time inner turmoil (and drug use) took a toll on the band. She nice they have reunited occasionally but by and large are rooted in the 70s. Probably most famous for their hit and lead single on this album, “Mississippi Queen”, the band now lives in relative obscurity as far hard rock bands go. They are a footnote, it an important one, as their sound is often cited as a building block and foundation for the sound and shape that formed a later important musical movement known as heavy metal. So that aforementioned “Mississippi Queen”...you know it by heart. That riff. It’s haunting, and now you can totally tell it’s metal, right? Well in 1970, NOTHING sounded like that. Black Sabbath heard the call and took off running. Cowbell cowpoke screaming leads that bleed. There is no denying the locked in groove and the killer production too. You 100% know the Ram Jam. Guitar Hero popularized it again for a time too when that was a thing. “Theme for an Imaginary Western” is next. It’s a little surprising considering the previous. Singy songy on this one. Operatic vocals and heavy keyboard trippy-ness. Just more hippy than I expected, but they did play Woodstock so... Next up is “Never In My Life”. Much like Mississippi it’s redux in a way. Similar riffage and feel but that’s just fine. It obviously works for them. The last tune (I know, I know...only 4!?! Keep in mind this was PRIME 8 track era, so 8 cuts constitutes an album. 4 on one side, 4 on the flip) is called “Silver Paper”- yeah it’s jam rock, but there are plenty of mellow yellow parts to keep you hydrated and catch your breath. So many good lead riffs! This band has their formula down to a science. Open your heart and let the sunshine in. Honestly this is probably the longest song on the whole album. It was much shorter than I anticipated, clocking in at just around 15 minutes. 70s all the way...up to and include the super annoying gatefold cover. Gatefold is fine, but it’s the kind where the opening of the sleeve in on the INSIDE crease, not the outer and APPROPRIATE edge. You have to over open it to get the platter out or in. The sludge guitar sounds great and is certainly a precursor to metal. This places firmly between hippy rock and 70s hard. A decade separates today’s two competitors, but they have more in common with rock roots.

Loverboy: S/T ( Side 2 )

You might recognize the name Loverboy from their highly energetic and catchy “Working ForThe Weekend”- an 80s staple and many an office’s theme song. Well, believe it or not, they’re an import. Loverboy is a Canadian rock band formed in 1979 in Calgary, Alberta. Throughout the 1980s, Loverboy accumulated numerous hit songs, both in Canada AND the United States, earning four multi-platinum albums and selling millions of records. After initially being rejected by many American record labels, they signed with Columbia/CBS Records Canada and began recording their first album in March 1980. By the end of that year, this very self titled album began to chart. The rest of the 80s were much the same. Success seemed to follow the band with each new album. Their success culminated In 1984. Loverboy recorded the United States Team theme for the 1984 Summer Olympics, "Nothing's Gonna Stop You Now". The song originally appeared on The Official Music of the 1984 Games but not on any of their albums or compilations to date. They would often play it on tour mixing it in during the performance of "Queen of the Broken Hearts".

So this debut does have their earliest hits. Unfortunately they are all on side one. The sign of a truly good band, though, is that their material is pretty consistent, and I would say Loverboy achieved that on this debut. You may not have heard of all of the songs I am about to describe, but some of them are on the same level as the hits. As they like to say in the industry, “B-sides” if you will. “Little Girl” is just one of those. The song is fast paced, in an almost punky manner. Devo-esque. Actually add in some Romantics style riffs and you have it. Very 80s, and that punk rock tempo never lets up. It’s probably the best number to start with since it has a driving bounce. “Prissy Prissy” mixes up the flavors. A little bit of disco is introduced (ummm...) but the chorus is redeeming though. I would say this backside burial is probably the best placement for this one. Filler in this instance. “Teenage Overdose” is the next blast, and Loverboy are back in the game. Some good solo moments with plenty of start/stop action and rugga chuggas. It’s a slower jam with some nasty distortion to kick it off. I think this is probably my favorite so far. I think the title says it all. “D. O. A. “ follows...(#iseewhattheydidthere) and is mid grade shock rocker. In a way, it really IS a continuation of the previous number. The final tune is named “It Don’t Matter”. Literally there is not one single hit off of this side, but still Loverboy shines and captures your interest. Wait a minute...is that...do I hear sax? Random sax on this new wave rock record? Did Big Sax make some kind of deal with record executives in the 80s to sneak on to records? This seems to happen a lot. Loverboy, I will ask sincerely, Huey Lewis put you up to this didn’t he?? DIDN’T HE??!?!! I digress. Anyhow pretty decent debut. Equal parts REO, and Romantics, and Devo. Actually the keyboards make them more Van Halen than VH1. If you get the chance, check out side one with all the hits like “Turn Me Loose” and “Kid Is Hot Tonight”.

So in today’s challenge (the final of season 6!) we saw Mountain, climbing the ladder of rock and playing their mountainous riffs (#seewhatididthere). They burned through 103 calories over 4 songs and 15 minutes. That is 25.75 calories burned per song and 6.78 calories burned per minute. Mountain managed to earn 10 out of 12 possible stars. Loverboy on the other hand played aggressively and over 22 minutes. They burned 157 calories over 5 songs. That’s an average of 31.40 calories burned per song and 7.14 calories burned per minute. They earned 10 out of 15 possible stars. Loverboy not only titled themselves, but took the title of winner today!

All right! That’s it! Season six is officially in the books! Check back soon for the seasons top performers and playoff style tournament to determine the seasons highest calorie burner!!

Loverboy : “Teenage Overdose”

https://youtu.be/qpzLzQHOnvY

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April Wine: Walking Through Fire (side 1)

Vs.

The Del Fuegos: Stand Up (side 1)

Ok, here we are again. Another season (#6!!?!?) of randomness, records, and working out. You know the drill! Records pulled from my collection at random, matched up and pitted against each other. Highest calorie burner per minute wins.

April Wine: Walking Through Fire (side 1)

Just who is this April Wine anyway? Is she cool? Is she daring? Well, she ... is a band. And she started back in the late 60’s. They are a Canadian rock band formed in 1969 and based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The band enjoyed international success in the 1970s and 1980s, releasing more than 20 albums since 1971! A family affair too, with two brothers and a cousin comprising the bulk of duties. Eventually they would lose a brother and add other members, including a THIRD (yes third) guitarist! Rare, even in the rock world. This 3 guitar attack really helped define them in the hard rock scene. Let’s get to the music. Side one, song one is “Rock Myself to Sleep”. It starts with a pretty lazy and locked rock riff. Very repetitive and could stand to be more inventive, but it’s passable. This is 1985 after all. The production is crazy over the top. I suppose it’s about as traditional as one can expect for an opening song. “Wanted Dead or Alive” is next and is PRE Bon Jovi, so who wore it best? Just kidding. Although actually it would be Bin Jovi in this case, as this tune is kind of weak. If you’re going to be talking about death, then your song should probably kick at least 50% ass, right? Barely qualifies as rock. “Beg for Your Love” is next, and honestly one of the better tunes on this platter. This one has some backbone and rhythm. Also featuring a catchy brand chorus! I would place money that this was the album single. “Love has Remembered Me” is essentially the band Journey’s song “Who’s Crying Now”. Very Perry in nature (#seewhatididthere). Slow. Ballad. Etc. Take it or leave it. The final tune,

“Anejo”, is a name I recognize simply from drinking rums. I will assume the significance is contextually the same here. Unfortunately, unlike the rums, it is a mediocre experience and just qualifies as a rocker. Straight up Van Haggar now. Gross. As a whole, the album was unexpectedly keyboard heavy rock. Almost Van Halen but without the epic solos and mega riffs. To be fair, this later in their career and earlier stuff is much better. In fact, The 1984 tour was supposed to be their last. But it was successful enough to spawn another live album, One for the Road. Goodwyn then began working on what was intended to be his first solo album in 1985. However, April Wine still contractually owed Capitol Records one more album. Greenway joined up with Goodwyn, along with Montreal session musicians to record what was supposed to be the band's final album, Walking Through Fire. In September 1985, the album Walking Through Fire was released under the April Wine name; however, only Goodwyn and Greenway remained of the lineup from the previous album. It seems they have mellowed out a bit. Must be all the time on the beach. Journey meets the Damn Yankees. Did Eddie Money front this group? You can kind of tell that not even the label had any big expectations when it’s just in a plastic sleeve with no insert or liner notes...

The Del Fuegos: Stand Up (side 1)

The Del Fuegos were a 1980s garage-style rock band. Formed in 1980, the Boston-based band gained success in 1986 on success of their songs "Don't Run Wild" and "I Still Want You" and appearing in a widely seen television commercial for a beer company. Now, probably garage rock doesn’t describe them in the context of what you might be used to reading about here. Certainly in the fact, they no doubt played in a garage like setting. And they play a version of something that could be considered rock. Overall I would liken it more to a blues influence fueled by lounge and funk. Imagine if The Spin Doctors (remember them from 1993) went back in time to 1987 and tried a back to the future type of history rewriting. The relationship between brothers Warren Zanes and Dan Zanes, then and now, has been described as fractured. As is often the case with siblings in bands (it seems) tempers and egos flare and conflict. It sounds like that was the bane of this band as well. This album lies smack in the middle of their career. The back cover plays off the album’s title and features a cut out that acts as a stand up for a photo. It would be pretty unique and cool, if were not for the fact that Devo already did that on their “Oh No! It’s Devo!” Album. Literally the same thing. Honestly I only recognize (and picked up this album) because I remember hearing the name in a Juliana Hatfield tune. The album starts off with “Wear It Like a Cape”. Oh. My. God. What is this??!? It’s like...like...clown music. Slow. Dredging. And an unusual amount of horns, almost an obscene amount. CORNY horns on top of that. Is Buster Poindexter their singer???!!?! Lounge beef. Smoke a pack, I guess. “New Old World” is next, and not much better it seems. I don’t know that I even have any words. Positive OR negative for that matter. Oh wait, one word. Gross. Thank goodness, “Name Wars” is next, and finally has a decent structure and rhythm at least. It’s as if Tom Waits decided to go shitty. Another much improved effort follows with “Long Slide (For an Out)”. Guess they saved the best for latter. It’s still pretty medio-core (#seewhatididthere) though. By the last tune, called “He Had a lot to Drink Today”, I find myself angrily side-eyeing the record player waiting for the needle to pull away. The booze song, I guess. The discordant piano and warbly vocals and nature of the song does not help. I am sure to mimic “drunkenness” but we get it. That voice does not fucking help. Aaarrggh! Who green lit this?!? Almost offending indie folk country funk. A waaaay worse Black Crows. I should have guessed by the fur coats. I am the dedz.

So April Wine walked through fire and right out of 1985 to deliver 136 calories over 5 songs and in about 20 minutes flat. That is 27.2 calories per song and 6.80 calories per minute. They earned a mere 5 out of 15 possible stars. The Del Fuegos (wouldn’t that technically be the the Del Fuegos??) stood up and gave us 134 calories over 5 songs and 20 minutes as well. They burned 26.8 calories per song and 6.70 calories per minute. They managed to earn 6 out of 15 possible stars. So with that, it seems April is still the best month. April Wine wins but just barely. In all honesty, their earlier stuff (mid 70’s - 80’s) is much better and you should check that out. The band seems to be walking through the motions on this album.

April Wine: “Beg For Your Love” (the band is fond of love in the title. For examples see “victim of your...”, “ain’t got your...”, “without your...”, and “wouldn’t want to lose your...”)

https://youtu.be/h-pvuPldePU

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