Here’s in fake the Bad Reputation remaster of 1989’s LORD TRACY debut album “Deaf Gods Of Babylon“, a pretty killer underrated melodic hard rock record / band.
Founded by ex- Black Oak Arkansas bassist Kinley “Barney” Wolfe, drummer Chris Craig and guitarist Jimmy Rusidoff, the band recruited Terry Glaze, formerly of Pantera, as lead vocalist. Their first album, “Deaf Gods Of Babylon”, was released in the fall of 1989 on UNI Records / MCA.
LORD TRACY wasn’t you tipically hair metal band, musically with many influences and an acid sense of humor. Musically, “Deaf Gods Of Babylon” is classic bluesy hard rock, with melody, and cool, fun twists.
This much needed remastering gives the album a new sonic dimension. Where the original CD feels flat, on this Bad Reputation remaster the guitars scream, and vocals are huge.
Following the release of “Deaf Gods Of Babylon”, the album’s lead single “Out with the Boys” reached No. 40 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart, and the band toured extensively from 1989 to 1991 and broke apart while on the road in the summer of 1991.
Lord Tracy avoids the knee-jerk, formulaic late ’80s approach. Depending on their mood, the band will incorporate influences that range from AC/DC (“Submission”) to Aerosmith (“Rats Motel,” “East Coast Rose”) to Motörhead (“Piranha”). Although metal and hard rock are a big part of this release, a few of the tracks aren’t headbanger-oriented — “Chosen Ones” and “Foolish Love” are glossy arena rock numbers.
And Lord Tracy makes an unexpected detour into rap-rock on “3 H.C.” which is the sort of tune that Run D.M.C. or the Beastie Boys would have recorded in the 1980s, but from a party rock perspective – funny.
So why did an album as good as “Deaf Gods Of Babylon” fall through the cracks? Inadequate promotion probably had a lot to do with it.
“Deaf Gods Of Babylon” is plenty of hooks, and the humor is infectious as it even takes some shots at the genre. It’s a perfect album to rockin’ out alongside Tesla, Great White, etc.
HIGHLY Recommended
01 – Out With The Boys
02 – East Coast Rose
03 – She’s A Bitch
04 – Barney’s Wank
05 – Whatchadoin’
06 – Chosen Ones
07 – In Your Eyes
08 – Rats Motel
09 – Foolish Love
10 – She-Man Blues
11 – King Of The Nighttime Cowboys
12 – 3Hc
13 – Submission
14 – Piranha
15 – Ivory Lover
Terry Glaze – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano
Jimmy Rusidoff – lead guitar, backing vocals
Kinley “Barney” Wolfe – bass, backing vocals
Chris Craig – drums, percussion
LORD TRACY – Deaf Gods Of Babylon [Bad Reputation remaster] (2023) , MP3+FLAC, FAKE!
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