By Wes Haskins
Continuing my way through the Y&T catalog with Black Tiger, which was the bands fourth studio album and their second for A&M Records. Following in the style of previous album “Earthshaker”, but taken up a notch with the production from legendary producer Max Norman and it was recorded in England. The album peaked at #53 in the UK album charts but I can’t find any chart placements in other countries.
“From The Moon” – A short Instrumental. It’s the same as the intro to the song “Forever”.
“Open Fire” – Balls to the wall uptempo song that was meant for a live show. Lyrically he’s talking about holding back all week before he hits the stage at the end of the week. It could be about holding back for the time to let loose or could be a metaphor for something else all together.
“Don’t Want to Lose” – A more melodic song with a catchy chorus with great harmonies. It should have been a single and a radio hit. Lyrically seems to be about a relationship and his worries about losing that special person in his life.
“Hell or High Water” – A good groove based rock song. Good drumming from Haze and a nice solo in the middle. A nice album track. About a woman taking advantage of him.
“Forever” – This is classic Y&T all the way and still part of the live show. Great melodies and guitar harmonies from Dave and Joey and a song that builds to the great chorus and live it’s even better. The guitar solos are excellent as well. About him falling in love with someone and that person meaning everything to him.
“Black Tiger” – Such a cool and heavy song and I just love how the guitars make you feel like you’re in the jungle being hunted by a tiger. About a femme fatale stalking her victims.
“Barroom Boogie” – One of the most fun songs in the catalog and lyrics are just hilarious because I’m sure anyone that’s had to much to drink might have been in this situation at some point. A fun driving song with a great story. He’s chasing someone that out of his league who is taken(when King Kong’s double appeared”) but winds up taking home someone he wishes he hadn’t when he wakes up with “Frankenstein’s daughter” next to him. He wants to go home only to realize he is home.
“My Way or the Highway” – Another solid album track with a good groove from Haze and Kennemore. About the refusal to compromise and do everything on their own terms.
“Winds of Change” – Following the footsteps of “I Believe in You” from the previous album, this is a great powerful ballad with great guitars and melodies and just so memorable. About following a path of self discovery and embracing change and new things in his life.
“Somebody For Me” – This was a bonus track that was included in the cd reissues of the album. A solid hard rock song nothing spectacular but solid all the same. Seems to be about him having many relationships but none of them being the right one and him having the hope that there someone just for him out there.
Recap: An awesome follow up to the legendary “Earthshaker” album and probably my favorite Y&T album overall with at least six classics from the band with five of those consistently in the live set over the years. Should have been a platinum or more type album.
Favorite Songs: Open Fire, Don’t Wanna Lose, Forever, Black Tiger, Winds of Change, and Barroom Boogie.