By Wes Haskins
Continuing my way through the Y&T catalog with “Meanstreak”, which was the bands fifth studio album. Following a similar path that the previous two albums did but with a little more melody. Produced by Chris Tsangarides who had previously worked with Judas Priest, Gary Moore, Thin Lizzy, Anvil and many more. The album finally started to get noticed in more countries and charted at #103 in the US, #35 in the UK, and #26 in Sweden. The title track was the lone single released.
“Meanstreak” – Heavy and uptempo and one of the best tracks in the catalog. The drums, the solo, Dave’s voice, and that melody. This song is prime early to mid 80s Hard Rock. About a one sided relationship where he’s the one working hard and she’s taking advantage of him.
“Straight Through The Heart” – A heavy groove driven by Haze’s drumming. A great combo of their great rhythm section and lead guitars. Dave vocally spitting venom about gossiping and backstabbing friends.
“Lonely Side of Town” A big melodic rock song with a catchy chorus and should have been a single and potential hit. It seems to be talking about the loss of old friendships and him coming home from being away on tour and feeling lost and alone in a big city when he used to have a lot of close friends.
“Midnight in Tokyo” – A classic Y&T rocker that’s become a big part of the live set over the years. Full of great guitar harmonies and solos. It seems to be talking about their love of touring Japan and the feeling of leaving to go home but looking forward the chance to return again.
“Breaking Away” – A melodic style song with big gang vocals at the chorus. A nice melodic solo from Dave. About a failed relationship and his need to break away and do what’s best for him even though it will break her heart.
“Hang Em High” – Heavier and uptempo but with plenty of melody. One of the more underrated songs on the album. About sticking together and facing adversity as a powerful group and the power of unity.
“Take You to the Limit” – A good groove that’s a solid album type track. Not single type material but still a cool song. He meets up with a femme fatale that’s very attracted to that is taken but he spends the night with her anyway.
“Sentimental Fool” – Melodic song not too far away from “Don’t Wanna Lose” from the Black Tiger album. Really catchy melody and the drumming on the outro adds a different feel. About being let down in a relationship when both make the same mistakes over and over but one of them eventually makes the decision to change their ways and move on.
“Down and Dirty” – Just a good straight ahead rock n roll song. Nothing fancy just old school Y&T RnR. About getting to the weekend and living life to the fullest for those two nights at a party or club.
“I’m not Sorry” – Not part of the original release this was a bonus track on cd reissues. A heavier track that’s actually really good and I’m not sure why it wasn’t included initially or if it was recorded during a different session around the same era.
Recap: Another great album making it three in a row. Probably on par with Black Tiger and Earthshaker or close to it and I can’t argue with anyone that picks this one as their favorite from the band. The title track is huge and there’s at least six or seven great songs with two just okay songs. The production still holds up well too.
Favorite songs: Meanstreak, Lonely Side of Town, Midnight in Tokyo, Hang Em High, Breaking Away, Straight Through the Heart.