Quiet Riot

I recently finished my Quiet Riot collection and now own their entire catalog. They were one of the first giants of their genre and unfortunately burned out too quickly. However, they have a great deal of under appreciated material that is actually quite good, and I hope to review all of it for you in time. – Mike

Quiet Riot (1978 CBS/Sony Records Japan)

1. It's Not So Funny mp3 clip
2. Mama's Little Angels
3. Tin Soldier
4. Ravers
5. Back To The Coast
6. Glad All Over
7. Get Your Kicks mp3 clip
8. Look In Any Window
9. Just How You Want It
10. Riot Reunion
11. Fit To Be Tied mp3 clip
12. Demolition Derby mp3 clip

Mike's Review
Most people probably think that Quiet Riot's debut album was 1983's Metal Health. And in a number of ways, it was. It was a new lineup, a new direction, and a new era in music. But the band Quiet Riot actually formed in the 1970s and released two great albums by the decade's end, this one being their first. It's an awesome piece of straightforward 70s hard rock with attitude. "It's Not So Funny" is about a young man wanting to grow up, while "Mama's Little Angels" basks in the glory of being able to do anything wrong because mom will never get suspicious. "Tin Soldier" is Quiet Riot's first in a series of Small Faces covers (Kevin DuBrow was and still is a huge fan of singer Steve Marriott) and they do a good job with it. "Glad All Over" is another cover, originally by the Dave Clark Five. It's very difficult to pick favorites from this album, since all twelve songs are excellent, solid rockers. Most of them are up-tempo, so "Look In Any Window" stands out as a heavy mid-paced number. "Fit To Be Tied" has a taste of glam to it, and a very memorable chorus. "Demolition Derby" is a storming tune complete with classic racecar sound effects. Of course, my review wouldn't be complete without mentioning that late guitar legend Randy Rhoads (who would later become famous as Ozzy Osbourne's guitarist) makes his first appearance here. Although I would agree that he continued to expand his style and technique, I still think he does an awesome job of shredding and wailing on this release. You can hear some things that he would later use with Ozzy, and I get a kick when he plays part of "Yankee Doodle" in his solo on "Get Your Kicks" (pun intended). And Randy isn't the only one still evolving during this early period. Kevin DuBrow hasn't yet developed the booming lower end of his voice that he reveals on later releases. As a result, he sounds more high-pitched than one would expect if they're only familiar with the popular days of Quiet Riot. Nonetheless, DuBrow still shows signs of a very powerful vocalist. If you're new to Quiet Riot, I'll admit this probably isn't the place to start. But I'd definitely recommended this album for big fans of Quiet Riot, Randy Rhoads, and edgy 70s hard rock.

Mike's Picks: It's Not So Funny, Mama's Little Angels, Look In Any Window, Fit To Be Tied, Demolition Derby

Mike's Rating

Unfortunately (and foolishly, since Quiet Riot and Randy Rhoads both later became huge names in rock), this album has never been released in the U.S. or even on CD. The band was picked up by CBS/Sony in Japan and their first two records were released over there. Bootleg CD versions are available on Red Novelty Records, and they did a pretty good job with the sound and packaging. However, official versions would still be preferred.

Quiet Riot II (1979 CBS/Sony Records Japan)

1. Slick Black Cadillac mp3 clip
2. You Drive Me Crazy
3. Afterglow (Of Your Love)
4. Eye For An Eye
5. Trouble
6. Killer Girls mp3 clip
7. Face To Face mp3 clip
8. Inside You
9. We've Got The Magic mp3 clip

Mike's Review
The early Quiet Riot is back with a second excellent album of tough rockers. In fact, this one picks up perfectly where the first one left off. Quiet Riot ended with "Demolition Derby" (which had racecar sound effects), while Quiet Riot II begins with "Slick Black Cadillac" and a honking horn. "Slick Black Cadillac" was later vamped up for Metal Health in 1983, and although I'd probably go with that version, this one is an awesome original. The only major differences between the two are the intro and the production. Quiet Riot's second Small Faces cover is here, this time it's "Afterglow (Of Your Love)." "Killer Girls" is a fast rocker with a mid-paced chorus that really works effectively. "Face To Face" is one of my personal favorites, I love the tough guy attitude of the chorus: "You're comin' face to face with a guy that's gonna knock you dead. Face to face with a guy that's gonna bust your head." I also love how the arrangement changes and the tempo increases for the solo, and the multi-layered vocals leading back into the chorus are a very cool inclusion. "We've Got The Magic" is the perfect way to end an album, and would've also made a perfect concert closer. The band proclaims: "We've got the magic, deep in our souls! We've got the magic, to play rock and roll!" If Quiet Riot was more popular at the time and this song was given promotion, it could've become their version of KISS' "Rock And Roll All Nite." Quiet Riot II is a sophomore album just as consistent as the debut.

There is one change on this album, bassist Kelly Garni is out and Rudy Sarzo is in. However, I have read that Garni played on this album even though Sarzo is pictured. Unfortunately, I do not have the original record version, so I don't know who's credited there, but Sarzo is the only one credited on my bootleg CD version. On The Randy Rhoads Years, a 1993 compilation including songs from Quiet Riot, Quiet Riot II, and unreleased material, Sarzo's name is nowhere to be found, which would support the statement that he didn't play on this album. Perhaps Garni finished recording and Sarzo entered shortly after. Of course, this is all just speculation based on the best information available to me. Any word on this would be appreciated.

Mike's Picks: Slick Black Cadillac, Trouble, Killer Girls, Face To Face, We've Got The Magic

Mike's Rating

Unfortunately (and foolishly, since Quiet Riot and Randy Rhoads both later became huge names in rock), this album has never been released in the U.S. or even on CD. The band was picked up by CBS/Sony in Japan and their first two records were released over there. Bootleg CD versions are available on Red Novelty Records, and they did a pretty good job with the sound and packaging. However, official versions would still be preferred.