Frontiers 2012
Trixter, now there’s a name from the past. Formed in the late ‘80’s and releasing two what we shall term as hair-metal classics with “Trixter” (1990) and “Hear!” (1992). Both of which did reasonably well in the States with the debut reaching No.28 on the Billboard Album Chart and selling over half a million copies and “Hear!” reaching No.109 with much reduced sales of around 100K (blame those pesky Seattle bands shall we…). As an aside I actually purchased “Hear!” for the princely sum of $1 from Charleston’s finest music shop, “Monster Music” earlier this year!!
Trixter petered out in the mid-nineties but re-formed with the original line-up still intact in 2008 to play some live dates including the institution that is known as “Rocklahoma”.
“New Audio Machine” features 11 all new tracks recorded by Pete Loran (vocals), Steve Brown (guitar), PJ Farley (bass) and Mark Scott (drums). None of the players have been inactive over the intervening years with Steve Brown being in 40ft Ringo amongst others and PJ Farley popping up in US modern-rock act Ra.
The new Trixter sound is a little heavier than the old Trixter sound and has some modern twists thrown into the mix but still features that late 80’s early 90’s sound of the Sunset Strip.
Opener “Drag Me down” starts off with a cool acoustic intro before mutating into a highly enjoyable blast from the past. “Get On It” continues the vibe and features a classic sing-a-long chorus. “Machine” is a powerful rocker that could have been an AC/DC number. “Dirty Love” and “Ride” bring to mind a mix of classic Motley Crue and Def Leppard. Things slow down a bit for the first of two ballads, “Live For The Day” and for me this is where the album starts to dip a little because “Physical Attraction” and “Tattoos and Misery” do not provide that spark needed before the second ballad hits. “The Coolest Thing” sounds like one of those boy band songs that Def Leppard recorded on X – with the right audience it could be huge but I’m remain unconvinced. “Save Your Soul” brings things back to life with one of those cheesy hair-metal choruses of “Rock’n’Roll will save your soul” and “Walk With a Stranger” brings things nicely to a close.
“New Audio Machine” is a well produced highly enjoyable melodic rock album from the guys. A big welcome back to Trixter.
***1/2
Phil Berisford
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
Next session: Sunday 19 January
Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio
David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 1 December 2024.
UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 3 December 2024.
How to Listen Live?
Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)
Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”
Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.
More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com
Power Plays w/c 9 December 2024
In this sequence we play ‘The Best of 2024′ GRTR! reviewer selections
Featured Albums w/c 9 December 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2024 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2024 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2024 (Singer Songwriter)
PDF - you can delete unwanted sections
