AMG Review of This Is '80s Hair Metal

Andy Kellman
All Music Guide

An odd three-disc set from Deadline, This Is '80s Hair Metal isn't nearly as definitive as its title implies. Subtitled "Studio Fuelled," the first disc in the set features what must be re-recordings -- Quiet Riot's "Cum on Feel the Noize," Warrant's "Cherry Pie," the Bulletboys' "Smooth Up," and Pretty Boy Floyd's "Leather Boyz With Electric Toyz" are featured; honestly, some die-hard fans might prefer these mostly beefy and energetic newer versions over the originals, since the production values on some of the originals haven't aged well. The second disc, subtitled "Live and Dangerous," is all live, including performances from the likes of Cinderella, Lita Ford, Dangerous Toys, L.A. Guns, Great White, and Saigon Kick; they're of no known origin, and the sound quality is all over the place, while the venues seem to range from packed auditoriums to grubby sheds. The third disc is a mixed bag of ballads, most of which are also re-recordings of the originals; a good chunk of the content on this disc is live as well. Though the set will be enjoyable for some, the packaging loses points for being so misleading.