Asphalt Ballet came out of Southern California after the hair-metal craze. Perhaps that is why this CD didn't get the justice it was due. Timing wasn't on its side, because soon after the release of their debut CD on Virgin Records, grunge swept down from Seattle and the tides of rock music changed.
This debut CD was tremendous and showed the potential of the band. Many people wanted to group them as hair-metalers, but they had a very strong blues edge and at times like on "Head Wind Blows," a touch of Southern rock.
Asphalt Ballet had the most wins on Headbanger’s Ball on MTV in the early ’90s. The band also appeared on “Star Search.” The debut album starts out with the classic "Hell's Kitchen" which sounds like Guns ‘N’ Roses or Motley Crue at their sharpest.
Lead singer Gary Jeffries showsgreat range as a vocalist. "Soul Survive" is another balls-out rockin' anthem. "Tuesday's Rain" had a touch of blues, and is another great singing job by Jeffries. The song also had a touch of commercial pop/metal to it.
"Blood On The Highway" finds the band rocking at high gear. The album may not be regarded as an absolute classic but it definitely is a very underrated album that has a variety of different rock on it.
Shortly after the release of the CD, Jeffries left the band due to personal reasons. The band picked up a new singer and recorded a grunge-based CD that largely went unnoticed.
In 2009, the band has begun recording new material — with Jeffries doing vocals from Dayton, Ohio, and the rest of the band in California. Definitely an overlooked CD worth picking up.
1. Hell’s Kitchen 2:55
2. Soul Survive 4:22
3. Tuesdays Rain 4:18
4. Unlucky Mr. Lucky 3:47
5. End of My Rope 4:03
6. Heaven Winds Blow 3:55
7. Blood on the Highway 4:00
8. Goodbye Yesterday 4:33
9. Wasted Time 3:40
10. Taking a Walk 4:03
11. Hangman Swing 3:42
12. Blue Movie 3:52
13. Do it All Over Again 2:19
