By Wes Haskins
Yesterday And Today – Struck Down(1978)
Continuing my way through the Y&T catalog with “Struck Down”, which was the bands second album and the final album before the band name was abbreviated from Yesterday and Today to Y&T.
“Struck Down” – Good riff from Joey and Dave and good drumming from Haze with a big melodic guitar driving the song along. Kind of an oddly written song with the song title and chorus opening the song instead of the standard verse/chorus/verse/chorus/guitar solo. One of the more classic songs in the early years and one they did live years later on the Yesterday and Today live album in 1991. Lyrically about a destructive relationship where the narrator has had enough of being the fool and moves on.
“Pleasure in my Heart” – Melodic and almost funky at times. A nice song and vocal from Dave with a good melodic softer chorus that goes into a blazing solo. A very solid song that’s overlooked. About him being in love in a new relationship and the feeling of not being able to do anything else but think of that other person.
“Road” – Fast paced song that’s full of fast drumming from Haze and a quickly sung lyric but overall doesn’t do much for me. About being away from home while on the road as a touring musician.
“Nasty Sadie” – Good riff and driving song. Silly lyric but overall the song is solid and there’s some great guitar solos and drumming throughout. Lyrically about a groupie that’s at all their shows that everyone seems to know but they’d never take her home to meet the family.
“Dreams of Egypt” – Eastern sounding with some good drumming and melodies. Very cool song that’s a little different for them. Seems to be a fantasy based lyric about traveling to Egypt to experience the music and women of that part of the world.
“Tried to Show You” – A good groove and straight forward rock song. Nothing overly complicated or special and just an okay song but there’s a nice melodic harmony and chorus. About someone having a lack of faith in him and him fighting through the adversity to be able to make it in his career and feeling vindicated.
“I’m Lost” – Fast moving song with some great drumming and a cool guitar melody that ties it together. The song was re-recorded years later for the Musically Incorrect album. Another classic early era Y&T song. About being hurt by someone’s else’s words and feeling overwhelmed by that relationship.
“Stargazer” – Opens softly and melodic with Phil Kennemore’s lead vocal. Moves into a faster paced song about half way through with a lot of guitar solos. Just an okay song for me. About the grind of trying to make it as a band and what they go through and the question of is it all worth it.
Recap: Similar to the debut with them still searching for a direction that they’d eventually find a few years later. There are two classic Y&T songs and a few other very good songs but overall it’s hit or miss.
Favorite songs: Struck Down, I’m Lost, Pleasure in my Heart, Dreams of Egypt, Nasty Sadie.