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From the Vault...
03/11/2012
#1298 |
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info
Point Blank
"American Exce$$"
© MCA Records
Year of Release: 1981
Rating:
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track listing
Let Me Stay With You Tonight
Walk Across The Fire
Nicole
Go On Home
The Getaway
The Way You
Broke My Heart
Restless
Cadillac Dragon
Do It All Night
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Point Blank related sites:
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Point Blank
"American Exce$$"
The band name Point Blank may or may not ring memory bells, but for those who remember the hit "Nicole" back in
1981, the song will easily be remembered. Discovered by management of ZZ Top and Eric Johnson, the band released 3 albums
in the style of southern rock. But they switched to a harder rock sound for their fourth album, 1981's American Exce$$,
which made "Nicole" a huge hit.
All the tracks on American Exce$$ has the harder rock sound, and is really no comparison to Southern Rock.
There are some comparisons to later 1970s rock bands, likewise early 1980s Rock. The album starts off with "Let Me Stay
With You Tonight," as it defines the sound of the early 1980s Pop Rock; The vocalist (John O'Daniel) has a slight
resemblance to Eric Carmen of the 1970s band, The Raspberries. "Walk Across The Fire" brings another comparison
of one band from the 1970s/early 1980s, the band from Canada, April Wine.
The album gets much better, with the harder rock sound -- "Go On Home," "Getaway" and "The Way You Broke My
Heart" are all great early 1980s rockers. On "Getaway" the vocalist resembles another early 1980s rocker, Billy
Squier. Jumping to another track, "Cadillac Dragon" is also another great rocker.
The remaining two tracks, "Restless" and "Do It All Night" are pretty good rockers, as this album does
have an impression of good sounding early 1980s Rock.
Throuughout their career in their heyday, Point Blank was known for their relentless touring. Yet by 1983 the band had
broken up. In September of 2005, the band's core members reunited for a benefit concert, which resulted in a live album,
entitled Reloaded. They continued to tour, and in 2009, they released their first studio album in 27 years, Fight
On! Both the live and studio albums were released on the Dixiefrog label.
It was sad to learn that three of the band members passed away: Phillip Petty (bass), in 2010; Kim Davis (guitarist),
in 2010, and Michael Hamilton (keyboardist), 2011. Only two original members are in the current lineup: guitarist Rusty
Burns, and vocalist John O'Daniel. The band is currently working on new material for an upcoming studio album.
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