Judas Priest
Turbo
[Columbia/CBS]
...and here we're presented with the album that the
'PRIEST tried (and, for the most part, failed) to play
glam-metal. Well, this is easily the heaviest (and
best) "glam" album ever recorded. Still, what on
earth were they thinking??? Many fans hated the album
and decided to turn their backs to them. Considering
I was 10 years old when I bought this (right after it
was released), and if it had guitars and was heavy, I
liked it! Besides, it was 'PRIEST!!
Even though this is glam-metal, the band still managed to add their own twist to this album, a heavy dose of synthesizers and synthesized guitar (several other "big-name" metal bands also tried this after JP did). This actually makes this album alot more interesting to me. The synth use is put to it's most use in the opening track "Turbo Lover", the guitars aren't even used until well over a minute into it. The lead break is certainly assisted with a synth guitar. After this, we have "Locked In", synths still in heavy use, but alot more metal-based. Actually, this is quite a good track, some killer lead work. Next is "Private Property", which has an anthem-ish chorus, but this song isn't too memorable, as the glam-metal style is definitely present on this track. Fortunatley, the next track, "Parental Guidance" is much better. Another anthem-like song, but purely metal. I (and probably all metalheads under age 18) could certainly relate to the song's chorus when this album came out. "Rock You All Around The World" closes the first side with a semi-fast paced straight forward metal song, no synths or glam-metal influences...
Side 2 opens with "Out In The Cold", one of the album's best tracks. The intro is all synths, with some helicopter-like effects. The verses are sung over light synths and drums, very sporadic guitar use until the choruses and the bridge leading up to the guitar solos. "Wild Night, Hot Crazy Days" is yet another anthem-like song, good albeit standard. Next is "Hot For Love", a straight glam-metal song, and rather forgettable, a shame because the harmonized lead work is quite good. Fortunately, the last song "Reckless" is a great tune (I can't ever decide if I like this one or "Out In The Cold" better). The best lead work on the album, and certainly the album's heaviest song. Some might be aware that this could've been the theme for the movie "Top Gun", but the band didn't want it to be used because they thought the movie would be a flop (which it wasn't).
Unless you're a die-hard that MUST own every JP album, this one can be passed on. It has its good moments, and it's bad ones. I seem to be one of the few JP fans who actually don't mind this album too much (I guess I'm more open-minded than I give myself credit for being). Still, I consider "Turbo" their weakest studio work...
© 2002 bathym
Even though this is glam-metal, the band still managed to add their own twist to this album, a heavy dose of synthesizers and synthesized guitar (several other "big-name" metal bands also tried this after JP did). This actually makes this album alot more interesting to me. The synth use is put to it's most use in the opening track "Turbo Lover", the guitars aren't even used until well over a minute into it. The lead break is certainly assisted with a synth guitar. After this, we have "Locked In", synths still in heavy use, but alot more metal-based. Actually, this is quite a good track, some killer lead work. Next is "Private Property", which has an anthem-ish chorus, but this song isn't too memorable, as the glam-metal style is definitely present on this track. Fortunatley, the next track, "Parental Guidance" is much better. Another anthem-like song, but purely metal. I (and probably all metalheads under age 18) could certainly relate to the song's chorus when this album came out. "Rock You All Around The World" closes the first side with a semi-fast paced straight forward metal song, no synths or glam-metal influences...
Side 2 opens with "Out In The Cold", one of the album's best tracks. The intro is all synths, with some helicopter-like effects. The verses are sung over light synths and drums, very sporadic guitar use until the choruses and the bridge leading up to the guitar solos. "Wild Night, Hot Crazy Days" is yet another anthem-like song, good albeit standard. Next is "Hot For Love", a straight glam-metal song, and rather forgettable, a shame because the harmonized lead work is quite good. Fortunately, the last song "Reckless" is a great tune (I can't ever decide if I like this one or "Out In The Cold" better). The best lead work on the album, and certainly the album's heaviest song. Some might be aware that this could've been the theme for the movie "Top Gun", but the band didn't want it to be used because they thought the movie would be a flop (which it wasn't).
Unless you're a die-hard that MUST own every JP album, this one can be passed on. It has its good moments, and it's bad ones. I seem to be one of the few JP fans who actually don't mind this album too much (I guess I'm more open-minded than I give myself credit for being). Still, I consider "Turbo" their weakest studio work...
© 2002 bathym