ALBUM OF THE WEEK # 56 SLAMER - NOWHERE LAND (2006)

Artist: Slamer

Album: Nowhere Land

Band Members: Mike Slamer (Guitars/Keyboards)/Terry Brock (Lead Vocals)/Chet Wynd (Drums)/Billy Greer (Backing Vocals)

Favorite Song: Higher Ground/Superstar

Most Likely To Skip: Audio Illusion/Perfect Circle

1. Nowhere Land

2. Strength To Carry On

3. Not In Love

4. Come To Me

5. Higher Ground

6. Jaded

7. Beyond The Pale

8. Runaway

9. Audio Illusion

10. Perfect Circle

11. Superstar

***click album cover to listen***

This week we go the unknown route. Slamer is a band that features former City Boy guitarest Mike Slamer, with Terry Brock performing the lead vocals. I can't find much about the album to share with you from the internet, so I'll tell you what I do know. The genre would be melodic rock, and I read somewhere, I think an Amazon review, that says it's as good as Sunstorm with Joe Lynn Turner. I don't own that album, so I can't verify that for you.

What I do know is that it's probably middle of the road overall for me. There are a few standout tracks, like Higher Ground and Superstar, and in places reminds me of Winger (which is good for me, but not for Niels). But since this guy was once in City Boy, Niels may like it anyway. There are only two clunkers, the 2 tracks I listed as most likely to skip. Everything else is fair to midland. That is, except for the guitar work, which is really good. If you are a guitar lover, you may very well like this. My biggest complaint is that it is a little long winded.

Give it a listen and let me know what you think.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Niels (Mod) on June 22, 2011 at 3:42am

Holy shit, RJhog. I'm looking forward to listen to this album. .......Winger!! Oh-uhh.

I have heard one song from this band sometime in the 90's, and it was not nearly as good as City Boy, but Slamer was/is a GREAT guitarist. I'll let you know asap, what I think of this album.

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Permalink Reply by TageRyche on June 22, 2011 at 6:11pm

I did a review of this album, when it was released, but I'll be damned if I can find my printout of it.

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Permalink Reply by Jon on June 22, 2011 at 6:28pm

"Fair To Midland"?. Is that a hint of something?

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Permalink Reply by Niels (Mod) on June 23, 2011 at 1:24pm

It's totally different from City Boy. I must say, that I'm a fan of Mike Slamer's playing. Great Guitar-player, and he plays on every City Boy-record!! I don't know, when this album was released, but I'm sure now, that it was'nt "Slamer" I heard in the 90's. He was in another band called Steelhouse Lane, and THAT was the band, I was thinking of. Does anybody know that band? He was also in a band called "Streets" with Steve Walsh from Kansas.

I KIND of like MOST of this album. It HAS got that "80's-AOR-vibe", that I don't really like that much these days, but there's some good tunes, and there's Mike Slamer's guitar! I can't really hear the connection between this and Winger, but that's probably just me?! Is this album from 2006???? I think it is, then Slamer must be around 60 years, when this was released. That's cool!!

You're right, "Higher Ground" is a good song. "Jaded" is not bad either. GREAT guitar-solo in that song. "Jaded" is my favorite song so far. Great guitar in "Runaway" too. And "Superstar" is a good ending to the album.

This is a great post, RJhog. I did'nt know, this album exsisted, and it's good to hear, that Slamer still can play the guitar, and write a good tune.