The backbone of German based
Shameless; Alexx Michael and guitarist B.C. once again travelled to sunny
Los Angeles and got some of the biggest stars of the sunset strip to play on their fifth effort "Famous 4 Madness".
Just like the other
Shameless albums Steve Summers is main vocalist and Stevie Rachelle is featured on two tracks. This time
Shameless took it a step further and got John Corabi plus Phil Lewis tossing a track each. The use of multiple vocalists provides the record with a nice variation.
So what has happened in the 4 years since the last
Shameless record? NOTHING!!
Shameless still plays Hard Rock heavily influenced by the 80's Glam/sleaze scene. This album takes you back to the good old sunset strip days in the most trustworthy way with the characteristic voice of Steve Summers of Pretty Boys Floyd fame, but certainly also Phil Lewis, who played a leading role defining that era.
The only problem arises by the heavy use of Steve Summers as vocalist, since you sometimes mistake this for a
Pretty Boy Floyd record. Alexx Michael has always been main song writer but earlier records former
Pretty Boy Floyd guitarist Aeriel Stiles co-wrote several tunes. This time Stiles only co-wrote lyrics for
Party tonight.
Shameless makes better records compared to what
Pretty Boy Floyd released the last 15 years. I like Summers' vocals, but I cannot shake
Pretty Boy Floyd image outta my head
Album highlight on "Famous 4 Madness" is
Better Off Without You, where Phil Lewis once again does a marvellous job and sets his personal mark on the song. The ballad
Magical Misery is another highlight sung by Summers. Stevie Rachelle gets the rocking tunes and while his vocals are flawless
Dirty Shirt sounds too much alike old
Alice Cooper.
Speaking of
Alice Cooper -
Alice Cooper guitarist Kerri Kelli has produced the album and adds some guitar with B.C. and Michael Thomas. Drum wise
Shameless are well covered with Todd Burr, Kari Kane, Mike Fasano and Eric Singer.
All in all "Famous 4 Madness" is slightly better that their last studio album. The album doesn't surpass "Queen for a Day", but it's a sure buy for fans of Pretty Boys Floyd,
Tuff and Glam bands. When you see a
Shameless record you know what you get and "Famous 4 Madness" won't disappoint you.
Written by
Michael Thursday, May 17, 2007
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