Chris Laney – Only Come Out At Night

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After leaving Randy Piper’s Animal multi-instrumentalist, producer and vocalist Chris Laney was quick to come out with his debut solo album Pure in 2008, a softer, more melodic prospect than his work with the ex-W.A.S.P. guitarist. But he was considered the other creative force in that band, so his solo album was a reasonably anticipated release. Only Come Out At Night is album of two styles. Although all rock/metal, there are two distinct influences at play. The opening trio are all big, heavy riffs and classic metal aggression. But other tracks are dominated by 1980s AOR cliché lyrics, riffs and harmonies, like B4 It’s 2Late, Playing With Fire (both co-writes with Bruce Kulick), One Kiss Tonight (which belongs on a Def Leppard album) and quaint closer Day Dream featuring Conny Bloom (despite it’s big groove riff). The ghost of Twisted Sister appears on Crush, as well as Brian Robertson on lead guitar, but in the end this is mostly going to appeal to the fans of the softer style. Of the ten tracks only four could really be labelled “heavy”, and while they are all excellent, that’s not enough to sell an album to the metal fans, and makes the album as a whole a little disjointed, instead of varied, which was probably Laney’s aim.

Written by Andy Lye
More: 2010, Albums, Hard Rock, Quick.Play Reviews, Chris Laney