I picked DRFSR, by Warrant for tattooedjedi to review. (His choice for me was Winger's eponymous debut CD). I'm sure will enjoy his reviews as much as those of the other Music Experts!
Warrant sprang from the same Southern California soil as such groups as Faster Pussycats, L.A. Guns and Guns 'N' Roses, back in the mid 1980's. These were genuine snakeskin cowboys: reed slim, sporting skin tight leather and big, big, tousled hair. Merging hard rock with metal, Warrant stirred in plenty of pop with the appearance of glam.
A Brief Detour To Discuss The Economics Of Hair Metal Bands
Considered laughable and passe by many, Hair Metal has made some significant impact on our economy. I would like to share my findings in their defense:
Rooter Rooter: Provided at least partial employment for an army of snake-wielding plumbers, (read: beau coup bucks), just for hair clogs.
Salons & Hair Products: Mouse, gel, peroxide and hair spray lead me to semi-seriously ask Are these bands responsible for the demise of the ozone layer? Which, of course, has also funded a lot of scientific study.
Apparel Industry: Tons of torn Levis, (razor blades and bleach), whole herds of cattle, (boots, belts, pants, shirts, and yummm, chaps), and let's not forget the metal studs, snaps and zippers. Trickle down effect: Lita Ford, Joan Jett, Vixens and a ton and a half of groupies splurging on tarty Victoria Secret garb.
Medical Attention: Lotrimin and Tinactin needed as fallout from all that extremely tight leather clothing, worn under hot stage lights, while flouncing about or performing big arm guitar moves. Add in moist body parts and I think this is as much detail as you need.
Back To The Music
All songs were written by lead vocalist and frontman Jani Lane. A savvy dude, in another life I could imagine him writing for Madison Avenue or Tin Pan Alley. Clever, catchy lyrics with a refreshing glimpse of self-deprecatory humor, both 32 Pennies and DRFSR give us some comic relief:
Dirty rotten filthy stinking rich
Italian cars all along my street
I'm gonna wear exotic animals on my feet
Pretty rocks on my fingers
Pretty bells on my toes
Lots of caviar for my mouth
maybe I'll even pierce my nose
This ability to laugh at themselves kept this good debut album from getting lost in the end of the decade shuffle. There were two monster hits: the uptempo hook-laden Down Boys, (as in down, or cool), and the classic Bic-waving anthem ballad, Sometimes She Cries. Another worthy ballad, Heaven, serves to highlight Jani's distinctively muscular vocals.
As a dancer, I prefer the fast songs, and there are plenty of rave-ups, those headbanging rockers that make the best car music. My picks are the rather misogynistic So Damned Pretty, (...get down on your knees), and the crunchy goodness of Ridin' High. Guitarists Erik Turner and Joey Allen provide more than competent craftsmanship, and ex-cover model, Steven Sweet's drumming is always on time.
It's of interest to note this album was produced by Beau Hill, who also oversaw Winger's first effort. He also provides keyboards and backing vocals. You really start to think this is a small, small world when it strikes you that additional backing vocalist, Bekka Bramlett, is the daughter of rock'n'roll's own Delaney & Bonnie.
Alas, the Troubadour and Whiskey will never see these glamsters again.
DRFSR is a solid, well-crafted debut from these SoCal artists. Their follow-up CD, Cherry Pie, is somewhat diluted, and a third release, wavered even more. I can also recommend the highly representative compilation, The Best Of Warrant, 1996. Who can't love a band who gives hair, makeup and clothing credits on their liner notes?
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
![Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich [Remaster] by Warrant](http://di1.shopping.com/images1/pi/9f/1d/da/2002038813-177x150-0-0.jpg)
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.