FAN REVIEWS!
Back To Basics . . ., May 4, 2007
Reviewer: Beth Nice (Port Charlotte, Florida)
I just picked up the new QUIET RIOT CD REHAB, and I was pleasantly surprised. After listening to it, I found that Kevin DuBrow's vocals were a lot stronger than before. I left off after QR3, but of the eleven songs, I really liked:Free,Blind Faith,South Of Heaven, Black Reign, Strange Daze,In Harms Way, Beggars And Thieves, Don't Think and It Sucks To Be You. Now as usual, I just loved listening to Frankie's drumming throughout the listed songs. I've been a fan of his drumming since METAL HEALTH and when he played with Blackie Lawless of W.A.S.P.
SOURCE: AMAZON.COM
If this is Rehab...where do I sign up?, April 9, 2007
Reviewer: Vandella (Transylvania, Romania)
Wow! This album is AWESOME! And believe me...those words have never uttered outta my mouth over anything Quiet Riot has ever released in their entire career. I am not sure but I saw Quiet Riot back around 2001, the "classic - Metal Health" line up and was pretty bored throughout the show (I think I actually left early). Then in 2005 I saw them again, but with a different guitarist and bass player, and was completely blown away. Maybe the new band blood put some much needed inspriation into Kevin DuBrow but vocally that night he was amazing. 2006 saw the release of this album, and while I remembered the band played very well, I still wasn't sure what to expect. Was I surprised! Let me tell you...this CD kicks butt. South of Heaven, Blind Faith, and Beggars and Thieves all sound like Quiet Riot outta the early 70's Faces/Humble Pie songbook. This CD has totally abandoned any and all the cheese of their Metal Health era / bland formulatic songwriting and put out to me, the best songs and album of their career. I am not really a fan of Quiet Riot, and had only heard Metal Health and some later tracks off of Condition Critical, and Guilty Pleasures (awwh, God awful, makes listening to a Poinson CD good for you). So this is an inspired, GROWN-UP, record, where a band that has a 30 year history should be and not resting on the laurels of Come On Feel the Noize. Oh yeah, the duet with Mr. Voice of Rock himself Glenn Hughes and Kevin tearing it up on Evil Woman is the icing on the cake.
SOURCE: AMAZON.COM
When I heard that Quiet Riot was putting out a new album, it immediately went on my CD radar. It took a direct order from Chavis Records to acquire REHAB because the local shops weren't stocking it.
2006 brings another lineup change as Carlos Cavazo and Rudy Sarzo are let go and Tony Franklin and Neil Citron step in for the recording. Adding further to the lineup carousel, Franklin and Citron are replaced for touring by old friend Chuck Wright (bass) and Alex Grossi (guitars). A new year also brings a new sound, a ’60s/’70s Classic Rock vibe that replaces the party Rock stylings the band is known for. The two previous albums were successful efforts in recalling the past, this album ditches the old Quiet Riot for a more mature sound. You can hear the Bad Company, Led Zeppelin, Joe Cocker, and Deep Purple influences throughout. It’s heavy Blues Rock, DuBrow and Banali giving a nod to their old school roots.
The musicianship is top notch…..Citron, Franklin, and Banali are all well respected in their fields. I really enjoy Neil Citron’s work here. His guitar playing lending a more controlled performance rather than the frantic ’80s stylings of the past. Frankie is a great drummer. The man can pound the skins with major power but he plays within the pocket and doesn’t overbear the song. A little subdued but done well. Tony Franklin (ex-The Firm, Blue Murder) just turns in another solid performance as usual. DuBrow loses his trademark howl for actual singing as he did on TERRORIZOR and DOWN TO THE BONE. I’m not saying DuBrow is a bad singer. His style and delivery in Quiet Riot are so distinct that, when he does something different vocally, you take notice.
Some good songs here: ‘Free’, ’Blind Faith’, ‘Old Habits Die Hard’, ‘Beggars And Thieves’, ‘Don’t Think’, and the Spooky Tooth cover ‘Evil Woman’ with Glenn Hughes.
Bottom Line:
Quiet Riot + Classic Rock - METAL HEALTH = Quiet Riot 2006.
Favorite songs: ‘Free’, Blind Faith’, ‘Don’t Think’, and ‘Evil Woman’. As always, it’s good to hear Glenn Hughes, the man has one of the best set of pipes in the business.
I’ve been living with this album for a few months and I’m still not sure what to think of it. On one hand, it’s a solid, bluesy, ’70s style Hard Rock album…..something I would expect to hear on classic rock radio stations. On the other hand, it’s a total departure from the trademark Quiet Riot sound and attitude. I prefer the ’80s style Quiet Riot and I was surprised at the sound after the success of ALIVE AND WELL and GUILTY PLEASURES recreating the past. All in all, a good album but not your usual Quiet Riot album.
SOURCE:
http://hardrockheavymetal.wordpress.com/2007/02/03/quiet-riot-rehab-2006-chavis-records/
My Rehab review-from a female fan
I wondered how a band that came out with an album like Metal Health, that could be listened to upside down, sideways, backwards, etc etc etc could
come out with an album that would either match or surpass the piece that shot them into super stardom.
Well, they did.
Quiet Riot throws the rules in the garbage. They said fuck it and threw off the straightjacket of what people would expect and the result is a freed madman of an album.
Frankie Banali obliterates drums into dust.
That guitar must lay down in the floor in front of Neil Citron and beg to be ravished by him.
Kevin DuBrows vocals are exciting and decadent and Glenn Hughes is an explosion of vocal brilliance.
Tony Franklin is a sledgehammer.
The lyrics tell a story in each song that can be read differently by anyone who listens.
Quiet Riot do not sacrifice their full expression on Rehab, and they have came through with a truly spectacular album because of it. Old school fans
and new fans as well will be riveted.
When we have sex, we don`t make up a bunch of rules to make it less enjoyable. Quiet Riot does with the music as they please. Song by song, this album grows with the intensity of the uninhibited...if you are into that, then this album serves it up aces.
CHECK IT OUT!
IT FUCKING RULES YOU!
Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 1:25 am Post subject: QUIET RIOT - Rehab (2006) CD Review James Walsh/ Wannabe Rocker /Location:: Arizona
This is the best Quiet Riot record ever released.
I know what you're thinking after reading that opening statement. "He's just a big fan who wants to like the new stuff and is letting his excitement get the better of him." Wrong! I am a big fan of the band but I am not someone who is always blinded by new material. This album sincerely is the best they've ever done.
The band has matured and incorporated a lot of diversity on display on "Rehab". Fans who liked their early material like "Metal Health" and "Condition Critical" will enjoy this record but will not get a carbon copy. The sound has changed a bit. But, if you are not desperately trying to relive your youth and actually are willing to give a new album by an established band a chance, I suggest you do give Quiet Riot's "Rehab" a chance as I promise it will surprise you.
Diversity is the best one word description of this record. It really is a combination of all things that real rock is all about. It's got the metal feel of Quiet Riot's early work mixed with some blues and classic rock influence. A few songs are so well crafted, they almost sound like The Who with Kevin DuBrow screaming for them.
A track by track review...
"Free" is probably the heaviest song on the record. It does set a good tone for the record and has a very well crafted guitar groove and chorus.
"Blind Faith" has a very strong chorus.
"South of Heaven" is probably my favorite song off the disc at the time of writing this. It has a softer opening that leads into a great groove and very powerful lyrics... Yes, powerful lyrics. You can almost hear in the way the band plays this song that they are really loving what they're doing and are making music that they like and aren't overly concerned with billboard charts. If more musicians did that, there would be a heck of a lot more diversity in modern pop music.
"Black Reign" has a very cool chorus with killer lyrics. This is the kind of mystical stuff that I miss in new records. A little touch of evil.
"Old Habits Die Hard" has a good groove. Gospel singers join the fray in this track helping with the chorus. Yes, gospel singers on a Quiet Riot track. No, they have not gone artsy. It's just the most diverse I've ever heard the band! "Strange Days" is more along the lines of what you would expect from Quiet Riot. It's almost as heavy as "Free" and also has a very cool chorus and guitar groove. This song is probably the closest to classic Quiet Riot. The fact that "In Harms Way" isn't a big radio hit is a crying shame. The guitar groove, Kevin DuBrow's vocals, and Frankie Banali's drumming is very tight, clean, and together. The lyrics are very strong and the chorus puts the song over the top.
"Beggars and Thieves" is another solid track with a well crafted chorus. The choruses (or is it chori?) on this record are what makes it a record you can listen to straight through. Very catchy.
"Don't Think" is the song Frankie Banali posted on his site when the record was being mixed. Hearing that track gave me a bad feeling about the record to the point I didn't buy it until well after it came out. Curiosity finally got the better of me. This song is decent but not great. If you were put off by this sound sample months ago, rest assured it is the weakest on the record.
"It Sucks to be You" is a fun little song with funny lyrics. I love how DuBrow takes the chorus of "it sucks to be you" and sends it into the guitar solo with "But it rocks to be me!" This track is probably more of a fun filler song for the band creatively but it will be something the classic Quiet Riot fan who probably will bitch about this, that, or the other thing on this record will probably like.
"Evil Woman" is a cover of a classic Spooky Tooth song. Glenn Hughes joins Kevin DuBrow on vocals and really hits some fantastic notes. Solid song that stays true to the original.
All in all, this record really is Quiet Riot's most complete sounding record. I stand by my claim that it is their best as there is a lot of original material and a great deal of heart and soul clearly went in to it. It might not have quite the "heavy metal cheerleader" feel of "Metal Health" but it does have a very mature, complete, and still very metal sound. If you like classic Quiet Riot, you'll like this (unless you're completely stuck in your childhood) and if you didn't, you should give it a chance as it shows a brand new side of the band I never knew existed. This is what a new record by a classic band should be. Complete, well crafted, and proof that you don't have to be 18 to make songs that people can relate to. In fact, your writing style can get better with experience. Quiet Riot have really reinvented themselves for their fans. Or, perhaps I should say, Quiet Riot have rehabilitated themselves!
Best thing they've put out in years
REHAB isn't your father's QUIET RIOT. Gone are Carlos Cavazo (guitar) and Rudy Sarzo (bass). Also gone is the 80's party rock sound that helped define this band, but has also haunted them over the years. Except for one track buried towards the end of the CD, there is no 80's cheese ball stuff to be found on REHAB. This is truly unlike anything QR has ever done before. This is basically Kevin DuBrow (lead vocals) and Frankie Banali (drums) reaching back to their classic rock roots. Lots of blues-based early 70's British Rock influence can be heard throughout, with a refreshing shot of modern rock sound sprinkled in here and there. The highlight track is the Zeppelin-esque "South Of Heaven." Other standouts include: "Free," "Blind Faith," "In Harm's Way," "Old Habits Die Hard," and the one and only cover on the album, "Evil Woman" (featuring Glenn Hughes!). Good, serious song-writing and some top-notch guest and studio musicians make this album a real winner. DuBrow and Banali have always maintained that QR was a dysfunctional band when the "Metal Health" lineup was still intact. It certainly seems like a little REHAB has gotten this band back on the right track.
Submitted by Doug D. in Seattle, WA
Just Blown Away, December 15, 2006
Reviewer: C. Britt (SHANNON, NC United States)
I just received my copy of Quiet Riot's Rehab and I'm going keep this short TOTALLY AWESOME nothing else I can say other than pick it up you won't be disappointed. Thanks Kevin & Frankie for giving me a great CD to rock out to.......................................
WOW!!!!!!, December 15, 2006
Reviewer: SMH (NY, USA)
I have been listing to hard rock for 36 years and I'm telling you that this is a GREAT "HARD ROCK" CD!!!!!If you like R'N'R you must have this in your collection.
Quiet Riot grows up - records good, solid "mature" rock
album. 6 stars!, November 25, 2006
Reviewer: Joseph M Siegler (Garland, TX USA)
So we come to the latter half of 2006, and Quiet Riot is still around. This is not the original Quiet Riot, or even the Quiet Riot that was insanely successful in the mid 80's. This is a much different, and more mature Quiet Riot. Why do I mention this? Well, I was old enough to listen to QR in 1983 when they hit seriously large. Thing is, unlike the majority of the fans, I kept listening. Since Metal Health in 1983, they've had seven other studio albums (84, 86, 88, 93, 95, 99, 01) excluding 2006's Rehab. I bought almost all of them. I rather enjoyed them for what they were. Mindless light metal. Most people don't even know that QR is still around, let alone continuing to record albums all this time. 2001's "Guilty Pleasures" was the one I did not buy. It was "OK" - I borrowed a friend's copy, but I didn't buy that one - at that point I had pretty much burnt out on Quiet Riot.
Fast forward to 2006, and a couple of breakups, several lineup changes, and I got word the band was working on a new album. I admit to being curious given my past history in listening to Quiet Riot, but after Guilty Pleasures, it was NOT an automatic purchase. QR at this point is primarily Kevin DuBrow (vocals), Frankie Banali (drums), and a rotating group of guitarists and bassists. In mid 2006 I was reading interviews with DuBrow & Banali talking about how the new album was nothing like anything they had ever done before. They wanted to do something different, something "classic rock" sounding (I'm paraphrasing there). Again, I wasn't that enthused about it.
Why all this background info? Because I wanted to show that this is not a knee jerk reaction from someone who only casually likes the band.
So I decided to take a chance and roll the dice. Wow. I mean WOW! They were NOT kidding. This is NOT like Quiet Riot that has come before it. It's not like they're playing disco or country music or something - it's still hard rock. But it does not sound like any other Quiet Riot album before it. This is good, I like bands that take some sort of musical experiment, but don't stray too far that they're unrecognizable. I've been reading some negative reviews on the Internet about this album. I know a lot of "opinions" on the Internet are negative, I don't understand this. This is a good album - and unless you were expecting them to re-record Metal Health again, I can't understand why anyone wouldn't like it. Now I'm not going to say it's awesome on the order of Led Zeppelin IV, or Black Sabbath's Heaven & Hell or something like that, but it is a good, quality, solid album. One that makes me want to buy Quiet Riot again. I seriously hope they do another album in this same vein - it would be an automatic purchase for me. The album starts off well with "Free", and never lets up. The bassist on this album is Tony Franklin, who has been in Blue Murder, The Firm, & Ozzy's band. Former Deep Purple & Black Sabbath vocalist Glenn Hughes makes an appearance, too. I can't say it enough - a good, solid album.
Give it a shot, and open your mind. Don't have a prejudged opinion based on "Metal Health" for this album. You might find you'll like it.
rockin cd
This a great cd from QR, I urge everyone to by it. Great vocals from kevin dubrow and the master on drums mr frankie banali. A great cd
Submitted by jeff willard in roanoke, va
It's About Time !
This is a bit of a departure for QR but I'm just happy to have some new tunes from the band. Free, Blind Faith and Strange Daze all standout here. But, the cover of Evil Woman with Glen Hughes is awesome. I can't get enough of that track.
Submitted by TDJ in Houston, TX
November 1, 2006
Hey Frankie,
I would like to share with you my thoughts on REHAB. First, let me point out that I am not one of those fans who writes you every time you guys release a new CD, exclaiming, "this is the best one yet!" While I am a fan of every album QR has ever done, there are naturally albums of yours I prefer to others. For example, while your last 2 studio releases -- "Guilty Pleasures" and "Alive & Well" -- were fine albums, I always thought they weren't quite up to par with "Terrified" and "Down To The Bone." Therefore, I really didn't know what to expect with "Rehab" -- especially given the dramatic lineup changes within the band. But, after giving this CD well over a dozen complete listens now, I can say the following without hesitation:
This is easily the best album you guys have put out since "Down To The Bone." The song-writing and musicianship on this one is simply amazing. There are 7 tracks, in particular, that I feel are truly "top shelf" -- with the first 3 tracks on the album leading the way. "Free" is a great modern rocker. The verses have a heavy, modern rock sound while the main chorus sounds more classic rock. Its a really unique mix that works well. "Blind Faith" is another hard rocker that is very catchy. This one would have radio potential, if, well, if they still gave new material from bands like QR a chance on the radio. "South Of Heaven" might be my favorite track of all. It has a great Led Zeppelin feel to it. I love your drum sound on this one. The 4 other ones I would praise are as follows: "Black Reign" - another awesome track that sounds influenced by one of the greatest bands of all time -- The Who. Your drumming on this one would have made the late, great Keith Moon proud. "Old Habits Die Hard" is a very soulful track that is pleasing to the ears. This one really highlights Kevin Dubrow's singing talents and, again, _should_ be on the radio. The cover of "Evil Woman" is yet another outstanding track. To borrow a phrase from another review, its a real treat to listen to the "dueling vocals" of DuBrow and the great Glenn Hughes. The 7th and final track that really stands out to me is "In Harms Way." This is a cool rocker with a very unique main chorus. Great stuff!
Three other tracks that deserve honorable mention are "Strange Daze," "Beggars And Thieves," and "Don't Think," with Beggars leading the way. I can't bring myself to call these songs "fillers." These are very good tracks which deserve the listener's full attention. Finally, I personally could have done without "It Sucks To Be You." Not that its a bad track. It just seems a bit out of place for what is an otherwise more "serious" QUIET RIOT album. But, I understand that you guys probably wanted to throw the "casual" fan a bone -- the type of fan who automatically expects to hear something along the line of "Party All Night" when they pop in a QUIET RIOT CD. So, its all good. And overall, this is an outstanding release. If this one doesn't at least get nominated for a serious album award, there is no justice in this world.
My overall grade:
9 out of 10
Take care and best of luck with the new album!
James
November 2, 2006
Hi Frankie,
Congratulations on all of the well-deserved buzz surrounding the new album! 'Rehab' is excellent. QR's best album to date in this fans' opinion. There are so many strong tracks here (Blind Faith, South of Heaven and Old Habits come to mind right off the bat), and 'Evil Woman' has to be one of the best disc-closers ever! Great choice and treatment on that classic.
I hope the buzz continues! This album deserves to be heard. The production is top-notch, the songs are well written, the musicianship is second-to-none... and the drums are HUGE.
Take care,
Glenn in NS
simply incredible!, October 31, 2006
Reviewer: A. Kanish
Before buying this album, I read a lengthy review on KNAC's web site. The reviewer kept stressing how this album sounds nothing like the old party rock that QR used to dish out 20 years ago which I agree with. Trust me, this is a good thing. She also mentions that Kevin duBrow says that the album takes a few listens to grrasp. I couldn't disagree with Kevin's comment more. this album makes a blistering first impression. What you have here are two musical veterans, (Kevin and Frankie), who have grown up and have figured out how to rock plenty hard with substance. These songs are all very different from one another, have great lyrics, interesting hooks, and power for days! "Old habits die hard" is my favorite track. It is a slow blues rock number with Kevin simply singing his guts out while Frankie pounds out some classic Bonham-style drums, and Neil sprinkles in some tasty guitar licks. I kid you not that after listening to the album in its entirety, I went back and played that song five more times in a row. another standout track is the spooky tooth cover "Evil woman." DuBrow and Hughes trading vocal lines is a true treat to behold. I also love "south of heaven", "Strange Days", "Free", and "Black Rain." Honestly, I wish they didn't put "It Sucks to Be You" on the record. Sure, it's a reasonably fun song, but everything else on the record is so lightyears ahead of it that it seems like they threw it on just to appease the "come on Feel The Noize" crowd. It really sticks out like a sore thumb, but it is only one song out of eleven, and the other ten are simply brilliant. this is easily the best album they've ever put out and, believe me, I've heard them all many times over. Please please buy this record to show the boys that truly substantive yet crankable hard rock still matters in 2006.
Quiet Riot has done it again with a great cd,
October 15, 2006
A Kid's Review
Remember that band who made it big in 1983 with Metal Health?? well their back and better than ever. This cd is everything which quiet riot is, was and wants to be.. The cd is very diverse in styles. whether it be the heavy-modernlike "Free" or the zeppelinesque "south of heaven" the guitar. Frankie Banali's drums are amazing on this cd, and are very heavy and john Bonhamesque.. Kevin's Vocals are another amazing point on this disc. his voice is just as good as it was 20 years ago and he can belt out those tunes.. an interesting song is a cover of "evil woman" by spooky tooth with Kevin and Glenn Hughes dueting on it.. anyway, if your a quiet riot fan, or just a fan of good Rock music pick up this cd, you wont regret it!
QUIET RIOT RETURNS WITH REHAB,
October 11, 2006
Reviewer: Kevin G. Boisvert (New Jersey)
QUIET RIOT returns to recording world with the release of their new studio CD, Rehab, now available from Chavis Records. Frankie Banali and Kevin DuBrow, the two driving members of QUIET RIOT, showcase their talent and musical influences to make Rehab one of the band's best effort to date.
Rehab is a collection of great rock tunes that will give new fans and old fans of QUIET RIOT a sense of their musical abilities and show a different side of QUIET RIOT compared with anything they have done in the past.
"Free" which kicks off the new CD, is more of a modern hard rocking in your face song that gets you banging your head right from the start. "Blind Faith" one of the several Banali-Citron-DuBrow-Hughes compositions is unlike anything QUIET RIOT has done before. It's melodic, musical and something you can sing to after the first listen. "South of Heaven" is an intense song with a heavy drum sounding beat.
Other highlights include the bluesy "Old Habits Die Hard" which show off both Kevin's vocal ability and his influences. One of the best songs on the album by far. "In Harms Way" is another haunting number which give both Kevin and Frankie an opportunity to show what they can do and how well they do it. "Beggars and Thieves" is another song from the album that show just how much these guys love to play. It is an aggressive musical driven song which is interesting enough to hold you for the entire six minute plus length of the song.
Bassist Tony Franklin and Guitarist Neil Citron (who helped write several of the new songs) lend their playing and provide a new and exciting musical complement to Kevin's signature voice and Frankie's trademark drum sound. Rock and Roll legend, Glenn Hughes also lends his hand to help the boys with Rehab and gives it his all with Kevin on the great Spooky Tooth classic, "Evil Woman".
Rehab - is all out Rock and Roll record that deserves your full attention and you won't be disappointed. Frankie and Kevin have stretched their musical muscle to the max and what is left is quite simply a good record from start to finish. Each song can stand on its own as a good song and together they form a new and exciting QUIET RIOT release that will leave you wanting to play this CD over and over.