Keen Hue – Juicy Fruit Lucy (1993) Lossless+MP3

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Swedish band KEEN HUE started in the late Seventies playing heavy rock, developed a melodic metal style during the ’80s releasing a LP in 1985, and then with a new vocalist with a register similar to Joey Tempest embraced the late 80s melodic hard rock feel for their second full length effort titled “Juicy Fruit Lucy” released 1993.

“Juicy Fruit Lucy” appeared in Japan a year after with the legend ‘Digital Remaster’, which in fact was an improved digital transfer from the masters to retail CD pressings. That’s why most ’80s / early ’90s Japanese pressings sound better. Additionally, this ”Juicy Fruit Lucy [Japanese edition remastered]” featured different artwork, much better that the European edition.
Musically, this album is darn catchy melodic hard rock with a badass attitude, cranking guitars and polished production. Stefan Moren is a brilliant guitarist, able to transition from intriguing rhythmic ideas to blazing leads. The album packs some great songs that will make you clutch your fist and shake your head in satisfaction.

On a summer´s day 1978, bass player Lars-Åke loaded his amp and speaker onto his bicycle trailer, heading for the first meeting and rehearsal with guitarist Åke and drummer Anders. This was the start of Keen Hue. At that time the band was exclusively playing covers from bands such as HURRIGANES and RAMONES.
Three years later, guitarist Stefan and new drummer Peter joined the band. At this point they started to write their own music, influenced by acts like JUDAS PRIEST and BLACK SABBATH. As they were living in the same little village, the band was rehearsing almost everyday in the basement of Stefan’s parents’ house.

Still rehearsing and gigging local venues, in the autumn of 1982, Keen Hue also recorded and released their first 2-track single (“Spread Your Wings Of Fire / One Of Two”). The boys paid for it themselves and 500 copies were made.
Three years later, 1985, English record label Ebony Records signed the band for an LP. After the release of that album (“Ogre King”), the band had a good response from all over Europe and several countries around the world. Shortly thereafter, the band recruited bass player Kent so that Lars-Åke could focus on his vocals.

The following years they did some touring in Sweden and in 1989 the singer Lars-Åke left Keen Hue. After finding another frontman – the much more melodic Mats Frimodigs – the band kept on writing songs and then released the CD “Juicy Fruit Lucy” in 1993.
In the years to come, members changed but Stefan and Kent were still in the band, playing a lot, now under the name ‘Keen Hue UNDER COVER’, and recently released a new album 2019.

Keen Hue’s 1985 LP is mostly melodic metal. By the late ’80s, you could see them mostly composing more melodic hard rock songs and for “Juicy Fruity Lucy” chose to even add some elements from blues while bringing back some semi-heaviness in their music.
The band managed to do something refreshing with this new direction without forgetting their roots. Just listen to songs such as “My Favourite Waste of Time” and “Into The Night”, both hard-edged.
Songs like “Bad Sign” seem to include elements from the playing of many legendary guitarists of the Seventies and early Eighties, while “Coming Home” reminds of mid-era Great White.

One factor that has contributed to making this album into such a fun ride was the Gaywhore preamp/pedal (seriously, that’s what it is called – Satchel of Steel Panther has also used it) that Stefan Moren used to record his parts. He managed to produce a very sexy and seductive tone that complements songs such as “Juicy Fruit Lucy” which seem to explicitly talk about sex.

A very strong, good and fun album.
Highly Recommended

Tracklist:

1. My Favourite Waste of Time
2. Juicy Fruit Lucy
3. Bad Sign
4. Coming Home
5. Hey Hi Hidi Ho
6. Tell No Tales
7. Bad Reputation
8. I Will Make You Feel Alright
9. Into the Night
10. Hard Life
11. Pray for the Rescue

Band:

Mats Frimodigs - Vocals (ex One Way Street)
Stefan Morén - Guitars, backing vocals (ex UNITED)
Kent Jansson - Bass, backing vocals (ex Six Feet Under)
Ake Nystrom - Guitar
Peter Ericksson - Drums
Per Andersson - Keyboards, backing vocals

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