My first thought for thread title was huffdaddy42 but I restrained myself
#29 Giant: Last of the Runaways
Released 1989Tracks
1. I'm a Believer 5:44
2. Innocent Days 5:16
3. I Can't Get Close Enough 6:06
4. I'll See You in my Dreams 4:46
5. No Way Out 4:03
6. Shake Me Up 4:16
7. It Takes Two 4:58
8. Stranger to Me 5:57
9. Hold Back the Night 4:11
10. Love Welcome Home 4:51
11. The Big Pitch 5:07
This is among best AOR release of the late 80's/early 90's and close enough to the consummate album in that style. I can’t recommend this more highly if you like melodic rock played to perfection- this is seriously a guitar and songwriting clinic this thing. Essentially a supergroup of session musos led by Dann Huff on guitar and vocals (great vocalist and amazing guitarist) the album didn’t chart its socks off but did manage a top 20 hit with the mega-ballad I’ll See You In My Dreams.
There are 2 or 3 tracks here that I consider weaker than the rest , but “the rest” are amazingly good , so don’t worry too much . As far as the guitaring goes – I rate other players higher but when I was playing , if I’d been asked who I want to play/write like , the answer would be Dann Huff. He has amazing chops , amazing writing skills – he can shred with the best of them but always knows how to craft a tasty solo that does just enough to leave you itching for more ,which is a real art. He's no dud as a vocalist either. They actually tried out numerous vocalists for the gig (including Mark Spiro I believe who had some co-writes on the album) but in the end Dann reluctantly took on that job as well .
As always I’ve recommended a few tracks via link – the shredding intro to I’m A Believer should shine a light on how this differs in scope from most music of its kind. Awesome songs, playing and crystal clear production. This quality of songwriting in melodic rock is pretty much a thing of the past – if the world was fair these guys would have been HUGE . It’s a tragedy (for us ) that Dann has spent the best part of the last 15 years in a producer’s chair in Nashville.
BTW the follow up Time To Burn is a bit more hard rock and a touch less consistent but still a fantastic album.
Favourite Tracks:
I'm A Believer,
Innocent Days,
It Takes Two,
Hold Back The Night,
I'll See You In My DreamsHonourable Mention: Treat-Organized Crime : I'd rate Coup De Grace (their last album) a bit higher as this album is half killer, half filler but in terms of the crtieria I set out for this list , Organized Crime gets the nod. And the killer is just that if you're into Scandi hair metal.