Look familiar? I sure hope so, if not, respectfully what are you doing reading this?
I’m sure we all remember that super mind boggling album cover with playboy playmate and ex wife to Robbin Crosby, Laurie Ann Carr, perched on a spinning wheel of sorts.
Slaughter released their debut album Stick It To Ya on January 23rd, 1990, having been recorded during the spring and summer of 1989. The album did huge numbers, selling over 2 million copies and becoming one of the biggest albums of 1990. I can see why, up until recently I forgot just how intoxicating the record really is.
It was only today, July 27th, 2021, that I bought the Stick It To Ya cd at a record store. It was underneath the display table, clearly hiding but not for long, for as I picked it up in that moment and carried it around with me until I bought it.
Playing the cd on the way home, I realized just how great the album is. I mean, duh, I’ve always known it was a gem, but I forgot just how much of a gem. I believe what truly makes this album a star, though, is the personnel. Tim Kelly really steals the show with his playing, same goes for Dana Strum. And of course Mark’s vocals and Blas’s steady beats. The chemistry of the four guys plays a major role here in the star quality of this album.
So you may be wondering why I’ve gathered you all here today. The truth? I’m here to give my final thoughts and rankings on Slaughter’s beloved debut album. Without further ado, Aub takes on Stick It To Ya.
The album kicks off with the groovy Eye To Eye. Although the starter for this beloved record, I can’t say I’m too much of a fan of it being what you hear first. Don’t get me wrong, it’s definitely catchy and showcases some great playing from Blas and Tim but I just don’t see it having that sorta power to kick start everything. As for where I’d rank this tune, I’m pretty neutral with it. Out of the 12 spots on this track listing, pretending there are no bonus tracks or instrumental pieces, it’d have to fall at spot 10 for me. I know! That sounds terrible but you have to remember there’s practically no weak songs on this album, the ones above are just more appealing to me and or mean more. Sorry eye to eye, I still love you. Ultimate ranking: 10. Ultimate rating: 7.5/10
Woohoo! Track two takes us for quite the turn with Burnin’ Bridges. I’d be lying if I said this song doesn’t bring me immense joy. This is rock n’ roll. Pure fun and wailing guitars. Even before I was as into Slaughter as I am now, Burnin’ Bridges was always a favorite. The song features yet again some tasty playing from Slaughter’s axe man Tim Kelly. We’ll see that a lot on this album, just Tim Kelly being awesome. Not to mention that delightful dialogue from Mark around the 2:41 mark. See? That’s what I’m talking about. They didn’t take it so seriously and had fun and it made for a great tune. As for where I’d place this on my out of 12 ranking, around the 6 mark. I love the song, i just don’t think I can put it above any of my other favorites, although it’s close. Ultimate ranking: 6. Ultimate rating: 8/10.
Finally! The delight that is Up All Night. And their first single off the album! This. Is. A. Banger. No more no less. A pure rock n’ roll anthem. I mean the message still reigns true decades later, staying out, staying up late and having fun. As for the dna of this song, it’s pretty solid in my opinion. The bass line Dana lays down during the verses I think really sets the mood of the song, preparing it for that more joyful pre-chorus. Then we’re to the chorus with that awesome Tim riff. The buildup to the solo is a whole thing in itself. I mean, how cool are those few seconds alone? And then the solo? Even better! Makes me realize just how talented Tim Kelly truly was. R.I.P. Anyways, this song is truly a work of art and really an embodiment of the rock n’ roll days back then. Where I’d rank it? Just cracking the top five for me. Ultimate ranking: 5. Ultimate rating: 9/10.
Spend My Life takes the 4th spot on the album. I don’t care what anyone says, this is a really good song! I guess Slaughter agreed too, for as this makes their third single off the album. This is one of my absolute favorites from this record. That opening guitar riff??? Magnificent. It sets the mood beyond perfectly for the song and keeps you entranced during that intro. I find so much joy in this song and always seem to find myself bopping my head along to it. Of course, we have some great playing from Tim going on here. Honestly, there isn’t much to cover for this song. It’s just an insane feel good tune with lovely playing all around. I really enjoy it, so for my ranking overall, it falls at number 4 for me. Ultimate ranking: 4. Ultimate rating: 8/10.
The fifth spot on the album belongs to Thinking Of June. A nice little instrumental piece that I don’t have many thoughts on. I won’t be ranking it considering it’s instrumental but I figured it’d be nice to at least acknowledge it.
Slot number 6 on this album happens to be She Wants More. I will be honest, I don’t see much appealing about this song, although I do think it has some nice qualities. Including that catchy guitar riff and funny lyrics. That’s one thing I love about Slaughter, is their ability to simply have fun with their music, and you can see that on She Wants More. Apart from the jibber jabber going on during some of the fills here, there’s at least one thing you can take away from this song or at least like. It’s not my favorite, but it’s not my least favorite either, so my ranking for it would have to be 11. Sorry She Wants More, it’s you, not me. Ultimate ranking: 11. Ultimate rating: 6/10.
Fly To The Angels being on slot 7 to mentally prepare you, I guess. The second single off the album, Fly To The Angels has not seized in being tied to Slaughter’s name one bit. While being an extremely beautiful song, it’s also an insanely depressing one at that. But, nonetheless, beautiful. Having been written about an old girlfriend of Mr. Slaughter himself, legend states that he went back looking for her, only to hear about her recent passing and having missed his opportunity to reconnect. The story is truly deep and really heavy, but with it came a beautiful tribute to the young lady. And a huge hit for the band, being it was their only single to go platinum. Beautiful song, beautiful message. It’s only right this cracks the top ten, settling at number 8 for me. Ultimate ranking: 8. Ultimate rating: 8.5/10.
Mad About You certainly turns the mood around at spot number 8 on this here album. Plus this makes their fourth and final single from Stick It To Ya. Of course, they’re giving you time in that pretty lengthy intro to recover from the heartbreak you just felt during Fly To The Angels. Mad About You takes on a ridiculously catchy riff and pleasant cymbal crashing coming in at just the right moments. Once again, I’m finding it hard to pick out any flaws with this tune. I love practically everything about it. The note’s Mark is hitting, the bass line Dana is laying down. It’s all gold. Not much else to say but this one rocks wholeheartedly. Plus I love a good angsty message. So of course, it’s only right this song falls at number 3 for me. Ultimate ranking: 3. Ultimate rating: 9/10.
That’s Not Enough is a pretty interesting take on track nine. This is another one of those songs where I don’t have many thoughts, except that small bass part Dana plays at 57-58 seconds absolutely does it for me. Probably the best part of the entire song if not album. Woah there, moving on. Again not many thoughts with this one here, just a real groovy tune that I think makes a nice addition to the album. Dana’s playing here really sells it, in my opinion. And of course Tim is killing it. For me, it falls at 7. Ultimate ranking: 7. Ultimate rating: 7/10.
You Are The One, track 10. Again, sorry, I don’t have much to say on this one. Don’t get me wrong, though, I do like this song. I think it balances the ratio with slow and upbeat songs nicely and rounds out the semi ballad portion perfectly. You just can’t go wrong with a heartfelt Slaughter song. Another thing I think Slaughter happens to be pretty good at, ballads. Continuing with my minimal thoughts on this song, I do really enjoy the guitar solo. As for my ranking? 9. Ultimate ranking: 9. Ultimate rating: 7/10.
And finally. We have arrived. Gave Me Your Heart, track 11. There is just something oh so special about this song here, something so joyous and addicting. I think one of the main things that I love about this tune is just how upbeat and fast the pace is. It doesn’t slow down and that’s always something I enjoy about songs, especially this one here. Of course, Dana and Tim are laying down some incredible riffs. I mean, the bass playing on this song is so spectacular. And the guitar solo??? A favorite. An absolute favorite. Of course the buildup to the solo is also incredible in it’s own self. And Blas keeping us grounded with that beautiful beat. Mark singing his heart out. It all makes for one an incredible song, and my absolute favorite Slaughter song. Plus 3:43? Best part of the whole song. Love it. As for my ranking, I’m sure you can guess. Ultimate ranking: 1. Ultimate rating: 10/10.
Track 12, Desperately. Classic Slaughter, saving the best for last. Desperately is just such a good song. Smidge backstory here, i practically have this song to thank for getting me into Slaughter. It really kicked down the door to them and I have it to thank for that. On the plus side, it’s literally a phenomenal tune. So incredibly catchy with, you guessed it, even catchier guitar playing from our beloved Tim. There’s just something that sticks with you in that “desperatelyyyyy” in the chorus. So good. Other than it being just super duper great, I don’t have much else to say. So with that, here’s my rating and ranking. Ultimate ranking: 2. Ultimate rating: 10/10.
Loaded Gun, track 13. I’m not sure if there’s anything I really like about this song. I guess you could say Mark pretty much kills it on vocals, what’s new though. Loaded Gun feels to me as if they really needed to complete this album. I know that sounds terrible but, honesty people. It’s definitely a weaker link, but I don’t feel like full on trashing it so I’ll leave it here. Ultimate ranking: 12. Ultimate rating: 5/10.
Hallelujah! That’s all 12 base album tracks, minus instrumentals and bonuses. If you read all that, congrats. Proud of you. Continuing on, I hope you enjoyed and or was able to take something from that. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again; Stick It To Ya is a real gem, and a rare one at that. It’s one of the very few albums from the period to check off almost every box and really “stick” out. Haha. See what I did there? Anyways, to recap, here’s my final rankings all in one spot. Remember, be kind to one another. Peace and love, Aub.
1. Gave me your heart
2. Desperately
3. Mad about you
4. Spend my life
5. Up all night
6. Burnin’ bridges
7. That’s not enough
8. Fly to the angels
9. You are the one
10. Eye to eye
11. She wants more
12. Loaded gun
