STEPHEN PEARCY – View to a Thrill
- Posted on 13-12-2018
The über-cool Ratt vocalist Stephen Pearcy is a productive dude brimming with ideas as evidenced by this entertaining 2018 solo offering of his. While there are many parallels to the aforementioned Ratt on this album, it is a rather modern affair and it certainly comes across as current. Perhaps it is the heavy and bombastic riffs or maybe even the sharp and crunchy sound of the record, but bands such as Skid Row and Red Dragon Cartel often come to mind whenever I spin this 11-track opus, which probably goes back to what I stated about the album leaning both towards the classic Ratt sound while simultaneously sounding fresh and up-to-date.
Pearcy’s vocals are as characteristic and great as ever while the band as a whole deliver a focused and inspired performance. There is nothing complex, convoluted, or musically daring going on here at all; "View to a Thrill" is simply a high-octane rock ‘n’ roll album with plenty of infectious choruses, grit, hooks, and determination to it. Standouts include the fierce album opener "U Only Live Twice", the gut-punching "Double Shot", and the ridiculously catchy "Secrets to Tell". Did I mention the strong production values that are on display here?
"View to a Thrill" is nothing that you have not heard before and one could argue that the record might not be one for the history books, but it is nevertheless a solid and fun collection of songs that ought to appeal to all lovers of raw and raunchy hard rock (or is that glam metal?) out there. Uplifting and memorable stuff for sure.