Russ Ballard – “Barnet Dogs”
This is another one that I had bought back around 2011/2012, because I saw that cover and thought it looked badass. Tonight, I find out if it truly is. – and for a record that’s sleeve is as trashed as this one (Note the several different tapes holding the sleeve together) the record is fairly minty, in the VG range. Now, usually I don’t post the inner sleeve, but I really enjoyed the design of this one.
This album according to Discogs is classified as hard rock, and well I can hear it. The album opens with “Rene Didn’t Do It” – and basically it’s a song about murder, and how Rene didn’t do it. Generally, the musicianship is good, so far it’s basic 80’s hard rock. This song isn’t really an interesting start for me. Next up is “Ain’t No Turning Back” and yes, there is no turning back as we continue through this album. This song is a bit more enjoyable than the previous, but still nothing too noteworthy on this one. “Bad Boy” continues this album, and this one seems to be a stronger start, I enjoy the bass playing and the build up to the chorus, unfortunately the song isn’t very appealing lyrically. The guitar solo is also pretty impressive, so far this is the stand out track for me. “On the Rebound” continues the album, the percussion and bass on this one are pretty great, lyrically it’s one of the better tracks so far. I will say that, this album if it had been done as an instrumental album, I do think it would resonate deeper with me. “She Said ‘Yeah’” ends the A-Side, and once more it seems to be done very nicely on the instrumentalization point. Lyrically, this one is one of the better ones, thus far. 3 out of 5 songs weren’t too bad.
“It’s Too Late” opens the B-Side, and I really got to give it to Dave Wintour on bass, because he does a really great job playing that bass. This song definitely seems to be a step in the right direction, and I’ve come to notice as the album continues on, the songs seem to get better lyrically, and musically. I will say, that looking more into Russ Ballard’s career, he has composed some pretty great songs – like “New York Groove” – “Feels Like the Real Thing” comes next, and once more, it’s kind of goes a bit back lyrically, but performance wise it is an enjoyable song. Russ also produced (and wrote some songs for) Roger Daltrey’s “Ride A Rock House” – Next up we got “Riding With the Angels” – it’s musically appealing so far, I’m not a big fan of the vocalization on the chorus, but the rest of the song is good. The album closes out “Beware” and it starts off in a really captivating manner, just guitar and vocals and every so often we get the drums and bass. The vocals are good on this one for sure. The song takes off, and the chorus, with the vocal harmonies hits different on this one, I’d have to say this one is the best one on the album. Russ saving the best for last. The lyric “when your blood runs cold like a sea of cocaine” is the most 80’s lyric I’ve heard.
In closing, after finally listening to this one – do I think the album is as badass as the cover? No.
BUT I will say that Russ Ballard as an artist and musician is badass. He’s wrote a lot of great songs. Produced great albums. Plus he’s blind in his right eye.
Catalog Number:
JE 36186
Credits:
Bass – Dave Wintour
2nd Guitar & Backing Vocals – Bill Roberts
Drums on “It’s Too Late” – Leslie Morgan
Backing Vocals – Richard Blanshard
All Lead Vocals & Guitar – Russ Ballard
Mixed at Rak Studios, London
Mastered at The Master Room, London
Recording Engineer – John Mills
Second Engineer – Tom Leader
Cutting Engineer – Arun Chakraverty
Mixing Engineer – Gregg Jackman
Photography – Inner sleeve: Richard Blanshard, Outer sleeve: John Stanley
Graphics: Anglographic
Illustration: Barney Aldridge
All Songs written by Russ Ballard except “She said ‘Yeah'” by G.R. Jackson / S. Christy
Recorded at Livingston Studio, Barnet England
Released:
1980
Find it on Discogs
