Recent Reviews

April 2024

March 2024

February 2024

January 2024

[ More Music Reviews ]


Autograph: Get Off Your Ass
Autograph - Get Off Your Ass CD Album Review

Autograph: Get Off Your Ass

Melodic Hard Rock
4.5/5.0

Website Facebook Twitter Instagram
EMP Label Group
Review: Craig Hartranft
Added: 04.10.2017

Most of us recall Pasadena's Autograph, one of the early Eighties big hair glam bands. They had some average success in that decade, but never quite achieved the success of their first and most famous single Turn Up The Radio from their 1984 debut album, Sign In Please. In 1989, after three albums, and one waiting in the wings, Autograph disbanded. While there's a variety of little to nebulous activity in the next 24 years, Autograph made a true comeback in 2013. Just last year, with original members Steve Lynch (lg,v) and Randy Rand (b,v), the band dropped a five song EP, Louder. This recording forms the basis for Autograph's first studio in 20 years, Get Off Your Ass for the EMP Label Group.

Autograph Band Photo

Autograph

Though not much of a fan back in the day, I did have Autograph's first album back. Nothing really took hold after that. But considering the abundance of bands trying to make it in the Eighties, you really needed to stand out, and a one hit wonder was never enough. So I'm not surprised at my Autograph ambivalence. But Get Off Your Ass is a different story. Autograph has created a fine and entertaining album of American melodic hard rock in the best classic tradition. Maybe it's from 30 years of pent up and unreleased creative energy, but Get Off Your Ass rocks with some catchy and groovy tunes.

Highlighting some songs is probably the best explanation of that statement. For an introduction, the opening title cut is simply a concise and fun hard rocker that deals energetic pacing and groove to, well, get you off your ass and rock. The following Every Generation, though riff heavy and rich, turns more on the AOR qualities of a strong melody, keen vocal harmonies, catchy refrain, and vigorous rock groove. The song actually foreshadows of some similar things to come. These include the arena ready You Are Us We Are You and Meet Me Half Way, which offer more killer riffs, groove, and simply memorable melody and refrains. These are two of my favorite songs.

Autograph always had a heavier vibe to their sound and you get some metal edge with All Emotions and Watch It Now, definitely guitar forward riff driven tunes. If there's anything nearing a ballad, though on the heavier side, it comes with All I Own. A slight disappointment came with Ready To Get Down, a tune that seemed to lumber along in heaviness. Yet the song does not diminish the quality of the whole. The album concludes with a live version with Turn Up The Radio, with an abundance of fan participation. Finally, while not by deliberate omission, throughout this album Steve Lynch delivers some awesome killer guitar solos.

To ditto myself, with Get Off Your Ass, Autograph has created a fine and entertaining album of American melodic hard rock in the best classic tradition. It's probably their best album to date. Easily recommended.



CraigHartranft.net - New fiction, crime fiction by Craig Hartranft

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

The Bottom Line

With Get Off Your Ass, Autograph has created a fine and entertaining album of American melodic hard rock in the best classic tradition. It's probably their best album to date. Easily recommended.

Find A Review

Alphabetical Index

a b c d e f g h i j
k l m n o p q r s t
u v w x y z #
New & Notable
Read the Cruzh: The Jungle Revolution Album Review

Three years have passed since Sweden's Cruzh dropped their second long-player, Tropical Thunder, also introducing their new singer, Alex Waghorn. Now the band returns with The Jungle Revolution ... [ Read More ]