By Wes Haskins
Continuing my way through the Y&T catalog with “Facemelter”, which was the bands twelfth studio album and the last one up to date. It was released on Frontiers Records in 2010 and will sadly be the last to feature Phil Kennemore who passed away the following year. It was also the first release with guitarist John Nymann and drummer Mike Vanderhule who have both toured with the band for many years and John had been part of the Y&T family as far back as the mid 80s helping with background vocals on the In Rock We Trust tour and having some songwriting credits on the late 80s demos that became Unearthed. There were 17 songs recorded for the album with 15 being used between the European and Japanese pressings. The only chart info I could find showed the album reaching #21 on the Swedish album charts(Wikipedia).
“Prelude, On With The Show” – Short musical intro with spoken word.
“On With The Show” – Great opening official track and nice return for the band after 13 years between albums. Melodic and singable and a song that would easily fit into the 81 to 90 era. A very cool opening bit before the rest of the music joins in and Dave setting the stage as the master of ceremonies with lyrics that seem to be about the ups and downs of life but also seems to be touching on their career with playing the fool and the king which could point at the band being close to becoming a bigger band and then fading away into obscurity before coming back.
“How Long” – A little heavier with more of an edge musically with great drumming and a cool groove and a slightly darker guitar melody. About someone who’s broken hearted and broken in life living with guilt over what happened and not forgiving themselves for their part in causing the end of the relationship.
“Shine On” – A more melodic start to the track that moves into a slower groove with big backing vocals in the chorus. About a woman who has been struck in a domesticated routine with a family and kids and is finally getting dressed up and ready to go out and have fun.
“I Want Your Money” – Just a solid no frills hard rock song. Probably could have fit on the 81-85 albums and would have been a good non single album track. Really good solo at the end. Lyrically about someone that has more money than they need and all they care about is getting more but they never give back or help anyone else.
“Wild Child” – Opens with a softer acoustic guitar and Dave singing softly before the drums kick in and gets heavier in the verses and then more melodic at the chorus. Kind of an unusual in that way but it’s cool that in goes in an unexpected direction. Lyrically about someone that was hurt before and after going through the heartbreak eventually allows themselves to commit to someone again.
“I’m Coming Home” – Fantastic song and the lead single and video. Melodic and catchy and one of the better post 1990 Y&T songs. The guitar melody just screams classic Y&T and it’s interesting how they slow it down after the solo before getting heavier again for the last minute. About always looking elsewhere for something better or different instead of appreciating what we have.
“If You Want Me” – A slower intro of just guitar and Dave’s voice before the rhythm section comes in and the song moves into a heartfelt ballad with some excellent solos taking it up another level. About two people that care for each other being hesitant to commit and the narrator saying that even if it might not work that at least they tried.
“Hot Shot” – A fun rock n roll song with a good groove and melody. Good solid rhythm and drums throughout and a good guitar solo in the middle. Lyrically a double entendre mostly about a sexual encounter at a wedding or a party. Definitely a throwback to the 80s with the lyrics about partying and sex. Very cheesy lyrics but fun all the same.
“Blind Patriot” – Much heavier riff and a little more grit musically with a faster pace. One of my favorites on the album and full of blazing solos. About soldiers that are blindly following their leaders orders no matter what their political ideologies might be.
“Gonna Go Blind” – Opens with a bluesy guitar and melody before moving into some solos and into a drum beat driving it forward with more guitar fills. A nice melodic but still bluesy chorus. Lyrics are silly school boy lyrics about self pleasure and the folk tale of how it can make you go blind.
“Don’t Bring Me Down” – Opening with just a bluesy guitar before picking up the pace. A heavy groove with a nice chorus. A song I kind of forgot about but it’s very good. About online keyboard warriors and trolls hating on everyone and everything.
“One Life” – Starts with an almost tribal drum pattern and a heavy guitar riff and has a nice big chorus. It slows down for almost a minute which is nice change of pace before the solo kicks in. About not staying stagnant in one place too long and always moving on to live life and be happy.
“Losing My Mind(European Bonus Track)” – A heavier riff but a nice melody at the chorus and a lot of light and shade on this one. Love the solos too and the drums are great as well. One of the better songs and it shouldn’t have been a bonus track. Lyrically about physical temptation and overwhelming desire for someone he’s in love with.
“Deadly Deceiver(Japanese Bonus Track)” – Upbeat and fast paced riffs and drums. Very ballsy and gritty that again should have not been a bonus track but a regular track on all the pressings. About a toxic relationship with a person who shows one face to draw you in but is something much worse once you get to know them.
Recap: A very good album from the band but with 15 tracks(if you include both bonus tracks and the intro) it’s a little long and would probably be a stronger album at 10-11 songs. Every song is mostly very good to great but there’s a couple I could live without but the bonus tracks should have been regular album tracks. Overall musically most of the album could fit into the 80s era but some of the lyrics(Hot Shot and Gonna Go Blind) should have been left in that decade. Several very strong songs and some great solos and Dave sounds great as always. If this was to be the final Y&T album they went out on a good note but I’ve seen some recent comments that Dave says new music is a possibility. Hopefully that happens.
Favorite Songs: On With The Show, How Long, I’m Coming Home, If You Want Me, Blind Patriot, Shine On, Losing My Mind, and Deadly Deceiver.