Suite 88

Suite 88′s Self-Titled Debut Album (2008) – Review

July 8, 2009

by Tawny Khat

Tracks:

1. Ten Shots, Ten Minutes
2. Soul Rider
3. Uptown
4. How It Goes
5. Dead & Gone
6. Heartbreak City
7. Sleazy Susan
8. In The Darkness
9. Rock Me
10. Can’t Get Enough (cover)

This is another one of those albums that doesn’t have a bad song on it. It’s filled with plenty of straight up rock and 80′s style sleaze, enough to satisfy any rocker’s cravings. There’s even a fast-paced head bangin’ tune, “Soul Rider,” for those with a little more of a hard core taste. This tune features a powerhouse rhythm section with Jesse Clutch bangin’ the drums and, if I understand correctly, vocalist Mike Gunns thumping out the bass, not to mention a shredding guitar solo by Kolton Lee.

Highlights include “Ten Shots, Ten Minutes” and “Sleazy Susan,” as well as “Uptown” and “How It Goes.” “Ten Shots, Ten Minutes” shows off Mike Gunns’ powerful vocals. With its catchy chorus, killer guitar solo, 80′s style and booze theme, it’s a natural to be released as a single. “Sleazy Susan” is also single material. It’s got great Van Halen-like guitar riffs and a ripping guitar solo that follows a moaning woman a la Guns N’ Roses’ “Rocket Queen.” Cool bass riffs kick off “Uptown,” which also has a nice 80′s feel to it, and like many songs from the 80′s it’s all about partying! “How It Goes” is all about the rock n’ roll lifestyle. A very nice guitar lead-in moves into a song with a great beat.

We’ve talked about the partying theme (drugs and alcohol) and we’ve talked about the rock n’ roll theme, so next comes sex and/or relationships to round out the trio of “sex, drugs & rock n’ roll.” With that theme are the songs “Dead & Gone” and “Heartbreak City.” “Heartbreak City” is the requisite ballad on the album. I’m not usually one for ballads, but I really dig this one. I suppose I like it because there’s a bit of a Pretty Boy Floyd feel about it, and I love Pretty Boy Floyd.

Finishing the album is the short acoustic guitar and bass instrumental, “In The Darkness,” that leads into “Rock Me.” This is not a cover of the Great White song of the same name. Instead, it’s a very cool Dokken-esque tune. The last track is a cover of Bad Company’s “Can’t Get Enough.” These guys do an excellent job covering this song, keeping it ohhh sooo close to the original. It’s fantastic!

You can hear all these tracks on Suite 88′s MySpace page, with the exception of “In The Darkness,” so head over there and give them a listen for yourself, and while you’re there, order yourself a copy of the CD. Also, check out my review of Suite 88′s live show here on this page, and my interview with the band.

Published in: Electric Pussycat Magazine
Link to article: http://site.electricpussycat.com/CD_Reviews_archive_-_S.html