Music review: Quiet Riot – ‘Road Rage’
Stay off the mean streets because Quiet Riot is back to making us feel the noise with a renewed vigor on “Road Rage.” After various lineup changes, the band now seems revitalized and firmly focused with new lead singer James Durbin fronting the band and attempting to fill the huge void left after Kevin DuBrowĢƵ tragic passing in 2007.
I’ve had the pleasure of seeing both singers lead the band. DuBrow rocked the crowd with a passionate set when opening for Cheap Trick at Conneaut Lake Park back in 1991, while I most recently felt the youthful energy Durbin brings to the group during a performance in March.
Needless to say, Quiet Riot can still kick out the jams.
Longtime Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali might be the lone familiar face from the glory days of 1983ĢƵ “Metal Health” and 1984ĢƵ “Condition Critical,” but the band pushes forward and continues to capture the craziness that fueled a legion of dedicated fans.
The bandĢƵ 13th studio release opens in typical Quiet Riot metal health style with the hard-driving “Can’t Get Enough.”
From there, “Getaway” and “Roll This Joint” continue to set a Tesla-like tone that features a heavy dose of attitude and defiance.
“Still Wild” carries a heavy blues vibe reminiscent of Led Zeppelin as Banali channels the spirit of John Bonham with a slow, driving beat that methodically leads DurbinĢƵ vibrant vocals.
“The Road” slows things down as the band offers up a traditional power rock ballad about the lonely life as a rock star on the road.
Other album highlights include the rousing anthem “Freak Flag,” the menacing tone of “Wasted” and political musings of “Renegades.”
“Knock ‘Em Down” closes the set with a fist-pump fury that best describes Quiet RiotĢƵ road warrior mentality during touring, proving you simply can’t stop rock ‘n’ roll.
So go ahead and continue to bang your head, Quiet Riot is still pounding out metal health that will surely cure your crazy and whatever else may ail you.
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Clint Rhodes is the ĢƵ music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.

