STEVE STEVENS - ATOMIC PLAYBOYS

1. ATOMIC PLAYBOYS [5.47]
Opening with a segment from a documentary called 'Atomic Cafe' in which a General of the Army assures residents in the area that test atomic bombs detonated at sea will not cause the ocean to fall out creates a quite chilling start. The words 'I am not an Atomic Playboys' ring out before the band kicks in with a big hard rock riff. Fans of Vince Neil's 'Exposed' album will instantly be digging this. Perry McCarty vocals which seem different on every track seem to evoke those of Idol here - 'So ivory tower man was it part of your plan to turn this city to sand, with a one way ticket to the promised land'. The chorus is backed by gangland vocals and is very catchy - 'Atomic playboys we are radiation romeo's. You stole the sky and dared to watch the world explode romeo'. After the second chorus an almost chilling interlude takes over [think 'Still Of The Night'] before Stevens comes blasting back in with a great solo, the blend of the two parts is a great example of juxtaposition. The chorus sees the track out and its a great track to start the album.

2. POWER OF SUGGESTION [4.36]
The album takes a complete 180º twist for a track that is more like r&b than rock, whatever it is the track has an absolute killer chorus with great horn parts that give the track its smooth chilling sound. Stevens throws in a killer bluesy solo with a totally clean sound, think Albert Collins. Not the kind of track normally associated with this site but its darn good and as addictive as hell.

3. ACTION [4.42]
A cover of 'The Sweets' classic, more recently covered by Def Leppard on the 'Retroactive' album. To these ears Stevens version has the edge as its not quite so stiff, it also rocks a little harder too. Again Perry sounds great - 'So you think you'll take another piece of me to satisfy your intellectual need. Do you want do you want action'. A good cover of a good track.

4. DESPERATE HEART [4.29]
My personal favourite track. 'Desperate Heart' is a superb dark ballad. Subtle layers of guitar blend with superb vocals to provide a feel reminiscent to that on the Winger track 'Headed For A Heartbreak'. For a more modern example of this feel check out the Lynch Mob track 'Dream Until Tomorrow'. The solo is quite awesome, full of depth and emotion with a feel reminiscent of Jeff Beck - slightly melancholy but still lyrical. 'Your desperate heart. Oh, how did you end up this way. Desperate heart dies so slowly the night is no escape'. The dark nature of this track will captivate you - stunning.

5. SOUL ON ICE [3.56]
The tempo picks up again for another kicking rock track. Again a feel reminiscent of Vince Neil's 'Exposed' and Perry's vocals sound very close to that of the Crüe frontman. The track breaks down in the middle before a totally manic solo that see Stevens giving us the first taste of his ray gun guitar effects and even pulls some sounds that sound like they have come out of a jungle - all from his guitar! Another very solid track.

6. CRACKDOWN [5.45]
A dark rock track is probably closest to Billy Idol as this album gets, the verse is particularly Idol-esque 'There's a fire burning its a deadzone burning. Its spreading like wild fire baby, Its a skin tight situation and its knocking at your door'. The chorus sees a more almost Journey-esque sound come into play. The dark sound of the track gives you the feel of deepest New York, being trapped and not knowing which way to turn. Another all round great performance.

7. PET THE HOT KITTY [4.02]
A sleazy rocker with even more sleazy lyrics to match - 'She's a blue eyed kitty a naughty daughter, Man she's got a walk on here that's gotta be seen. Such a high class missy, a trouser arouser, You know I'm talking about a poor mans dream'. Yes this is a track about strip joints and the music is suitably glam like. The chorus has a feel that would not be out of place on a Bullet Boys album and is radio friendly. The slightly tacky nature of the track somewhat ruins a nice instrumental ride out.

8. EVENING EYE [3.55]
A track that takes on an almost jazz vibe with its subtle voicing that are reminiscent of work by George Benson or Wes Montgomery. A nice feel that again not exactly what's expected here at RFMD but again it helps seperate the album. Having said that the solo is pure Metal with all manner of six string tricks from SS. Ultimately, the schmoozy nature of the album makes this one to kick back and relax to.

9. WOMAN OF 1000 YEARS [4.19]
Another slice of pop rock but its a little faceless and sounds like a track every band seemed to have in the late 1980's. Steve Steven's lead vocals are not particularly strong and don't really help the track. An average track that is the weakest on offer.

10. RUN ACROSS DESERT SANDS [3.53]
Surprisingly for a guitarists solo album this is the only instrumental on offer. Which is a bit of a shame as this is quite superb. Stevens is a virtuoso flamenco/acoustic player and this track certainly shows his talent. Taking on an eastern vibe with a tribal drum backing brings to mind visions of lizards and snakes gliding across scorching desert sands. A great track that could be seen as a forerunner to the guitar work on Steve's latest album 'Flamenco A GoGo'.

11. SLIPPING INTO FICTION [4.40]
The hard rock vibe comes back to close the album with 'Slipping Into Fiction'. Another extremely strong rocker with a compelling bridge - 'It's time to draw the shade, it's time to stop the madness. With the moon up above and the stars in the palm of her hand. She drifts far away to a place only she'll understand'. The chorus has a harder commercial edge to it and again is well suited. The track sees more juxtaposition on the solo section which is amongst one of the best on the album with more of Steven's special effects coming into play. A great way to end a diverse album.