Produced by Erik Turner of Warrant fame and Tommy Thayer of Kiss and Black & Blue fame, as well as songs written by both, the band’s association with Warrant does not end there. Shake City vocalist Adam Shore, was vocalist for Warrant before being replaced by the more charismatic Jani Lane. But wait, there’s more as far as the Warrant connection goes.....Track 11 on this album is the Jani Lane penned “Game Of War” which features on a few Warrant releases as an unreleased/bonus track.
Featuring 12 tracks of killer fist pumping hook laden hard rock anthems, “Shake City” is one hell of a hard rock album! “Lust & Love”, “Betty Blue”, “One Good Reason” and the previously mentioned “Game Of War” is a far superior brand of high octane rock to that which was churned out by bands that must of found their record deal on the back of a cereal pack!!!
Lead vocalist Adam Shore possesses an almost perfect voice for this kind of hard rock and certainly matches his Warrant successor Jani Lane in the vocal department. The influence of Turner and Thayer on production is not lost, with elements of Warrant and Black N Blue scattered throughout.
Of course no release of this kind would be complete without a few power ballads in the acoustic driven “Little Lianne” and the Shore and Erik Turner co-written “Can’t Get Over You”.
“Get It While It’s Hot” hints at a bluesy side to the band, “Sweet Dreams” is a sublime pop number with some Cheap Trick’esque stylings and vocal harmonies, whilst “Psychedelic Ride” is indeed just that, with the band channelling Enuff Z Nuff on this track.
If you are looking for some of the best hard rock straight from the Sunset Strip that you have never heard, then look no further than this release from Shake City. Let’s see if Eonian Records can top this one....the challenge has been laid down!
*Reviewed by: Scotty Rock
