By Wes Haskins
Continuing my way through the Y&T catalog with “Musically Incorrect”, which was the bands tenth studio album and first for the Music For Nations label(1995 in Europe) and Fuel Records(1996 in North America) The band had broken up after the Ten tour and the release of the amazing Yesterday and Today Live album. This album features the same lineup as those albums with Dave Meniketti, Phil Kennemore, Jimmy DeGrasso, and Stef Burns. I remember stumbling across this in a record store in Paducah, Kentucky when it was first released unaware that they had a new album as I hadn’t seen any promo for it in Metal Edge or other rock magazines of the time. I remember not being blown away after the first few spins but did eventually appreciate it and was really blown away by Dave’s guitar playing. It’s not one I spin that often but I’ll admit there’s some good stuff and I might like it better now than I did initially but you definitely need to approach it with an open mind.
“Long Way Down” – Good heavy riff and the song is very good with some great solos but at seven minutes it’s easily two minutes too long and would have more impact at five minutes or so. Lyrics seem to be about him not wanting to conform to something and not forced into something he no longer has interest in which could be about them walking away from the music industry for several years.
“Fly Away” – Funky and bluesy with more great solos. Solid song and kind of fun but definitely a departure for the band. A fantasy based lyric that seems to be about escaping reality so maybe someone was dropping too much acid at this point or maybe they were just having a little fun not being too serious.
“Quicksand” – More 90s sounding. Heavy riff and darker melody. Definitely has that grunge style vibe musically but it’s still very good but just very Un-Y&T. Seems to be about drowning in life and asking for help to keep from sinking but also having regret from knowing better from walking the same road that causes the same result.
“Cold Day In Hell” – Probably the best song on the album. Much more classic Y&T and at five minutes it’s not overly long. More great solos and doesn’t have that mid 90s Grunge or Alternative feel. Lyrics are talking about being stuck in a relationship that he knows he should breakaway from but he feels like he’s stuck and can’t leave because he’s so attracted to her.
“I’ve Got My Own” – Starting with a Beatles style A cappella lead vocal from Phil Kennemore the verses move to Dave who takes over the vocal for the remainder of the song. The pace is more upbeat and faster after the intro and there’s another really cool solo in the middle. About not following the leader and sticking to one’s own beliefs when it comes to life especially with religion and politics.
“Nowhere Land” – Beatles influenced and a lead vocal by Kennemore. I’m not a big Beatles fan but it’s a good song and fits Phil’s voice well but it is a little long at six minutes. It seems to be about being stuck in limbo and not sure what to do next. Not sure if that’s a reflection of the band at the time or maybe something Phil was dealing with personally.
“Pretty Prison” – A heavier song with more gritty guitars throughout and definitely a 90s Soundgarden(ish) vibe. It sounds like another voice with Dave in the verses. It could be Phil’s voice or maybe they doubled Dave’s voice. Really cool darker riffs and solos but a little long at six minutes but there’s some cool parts and the drumming is a standout too. About living alone and being lonely no matter how rich one is or what they have being alone is like a prison. Almost feels like someone was going through a divorce at the time.
“Don’t Know What To Do” – Wouldn’t be out of place on the 70s or early 80s albums as a filler type album track. Just a straight ahead bluesy style hard rock song that’s full of more great Meniketti solos. Lyrics seem to be about being broke and having lost everything and having other issues come up over and over.
“21st Century” – Heavy and gritty very 90ish sounding guitar riff and melody. Good drumming and a cool song and another one of my favorites on the album. A nice melody in the verses then back to that heavier style in the chorus. About the hopefulness of a new century that could bring an end to struggle and violence and a new era where all the world’s problems are solved and better decisions are made collectively.
“I’m Lost(95 Version)” – New version of the classic from the Struck Down album. A much better version than the original with an updated production and recording. Feels like it has a lot more energy and is one of the more classic Y&T songs on the album.
“Confusion” – Very 90s sounding and shorter at three minutes. A cool opening drum part with a heavy guitar riff. A darker melody at the pre-chorus leading into the heavier chorus. Lyrics are about those always talking about revolutions but not having any solutions and most being all talk with no real way to solve anything. The song ends with the phrase “if you don’t remember the past you’re condemned to repeat it”.
“No Regrets” – A very deep ballad and a nice way to close the album. Another great solo from Dave. About letting go of self pity and broken dreams and being thankful of what he has not what he hoped for and having no regrets about how life turned out.
Recap: A change in style from the 80s Hard Rock sound that saw the band dabbling in the 90s heavier almost grunge style on several songs but without going all the way in but also some funky and bluesier songs. Many of the songs are much longer than normal for the band with many in the six to seven minute length. The upside is Dave still sounds great and the solos are fantastic. Much deeper lyrically than much of the mid to late 80s Y&T era. Most of the album was written by Phil and Dave and drummer Jimmy DeGrasso co-wrote many songs as well which could account for the different vibe musically. Or maybe they figured they weren’t going to get on the radio, MTV, or a major label so they can just experiment and do whatever they wanted.
Favorite songs: Cold Day In Hell, Long Way Down, No Regrets, 21st Century, Quicksand, Pretty Prison, and I’m Lost.