Second Heat

This album is more a lost cause than a lost classic. Shrapnel have not covered themselves in glory with their quality control on this release. The singing for all but the last 3 or 4 tracks sounds, at best, like guide vocals, and out of tune when doubled up with harmonies. This takes away any enjoyment of this album. As if that wasn't bad enough the drum sounds and patterns are substandard for some of the songs and use reverbs on the fast numbers that drowns out much of the backing music. This may be down to the poor overall mix but power chord backing is lost most of the time under the drumming. On my copy the opening track sounds as if the recording mikes were in the room next to the band - I was literally waiting for the "right sound" to kick in but this didn't happen. Perhaps the sound engineer or producer (or both)had their ears shot with the screaming guitars but the sound of the album is unacceptable in my opinion. The guitar playing, as other reviewers indicate, is amazing and at blistering speeds but this only makes the poor recording values even more of a crime. Paul Gilbert and co provide good riffs in the main, if derivative, and some fantastic harmony playing but I would urge you to get a listen first before buying this! Incidentally the lowest volume output and poorest mixing on any of my CDs was another Shrapnel recording - Tony MacAlpine's "Master of Paradise" !

This is a brilliant album! Gilbert and Bouillet make an amazing guitar duo. Lots of good tracks on this, including two great covers(Heart Of A Lion & Moonage Daydream). It's one of my favourite albums!

bought this for someone and they play and play

Paul Gilbert was by far one of the most wildest guitar players of the late eighties. Whilst he is reverting to his salad days now, this album shows some of his best fret work. This album has some of the best synchronized guitar playing ever produced. The opening arpeggios on the track 'Sacrifice' still shake the guitar world now ! The songs, do not really have any commercial value, and some of the lyrics are bazaar ! However, the album as a whole is great guitarist album, the solos and riffs are excellent and original. !