At Home in Hespeler

“Oh God, another supergroup.” I thought as I downloaded Rated X’s self titled debut album. While Rated X are designed as a vehicle for singer Joe Lynn Turner, it was the rhythm section that jumped out at me: drummer Carmine Appice and bassist Tony Franklin. Appice has been around forever, showing Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham the ropes to being a professional touring drummer back in ’69 when Zeppelin opened for Appice’s band, Vanilla Fudge. Appice has since drummed for Rod Stewart and Ozzy Osbourne. Franklin, meanwhile, has his own Zeppelin connection, having played bass in Jimmy Page’s post-Zeppelin band The Firm. He has also slapped da fretless bass in Whitesnake and with Appice in his pre-Firm band, Blue Murder. Filled out by Ace Frehley guitarist Karl Cochran, Rated X is a band with a hard rock pedigree.

They are guilty of sounding too 80’s at a time when the older sounds fresher, too much Whitesnake in the sound. Songs like Fire and Ice, and Get Back My Crown cut a little close to the 80’s bone for taste. However, you soon realize that the songwriting is better than most 80’s bands and Turner, who has sung with Rainbow, Deep Purple and Yngwie Malmsteen, has a more soulful voice than anybody who ever sang for Whitesnake. If You Are the Music or Maybe Tonight were 80’s songs, they would be among the best. Our Love Is Not Over is excellent and the Kashmiresque Lhasa could only be pulled off by a band with a rhythm section this good.

Despite my misgivings, Rated X turned out to be an excellent album. A must have for any hard rock fan.

Track listing

1. Get Back My Crown
2. This Is Who I Am
3. Fire And Ice
4. I Don’t Cry No More
5. Lhasa
6. Devil In Disguise
7. You Are The Music
8. Peace Of Mind
9. Maybe Tonight
10. On The Way To Paradise
11. Our Love Is Not Over
12. Stranger In Us All.

Brian Gardiner Book Review