[2017-05-05] Lillian Axe "Lillian Axe" and "Love And War" remasters (Rock Candy UK)

Linda · **Posted:** Thu Mar 09, 2017 7:42 pm

Lillian Axe

Description
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition / Fully Remastered Audio shaped from 24 bit digital technology / Produced by RATT's Robin Crosby / 16 page full colour booklet - 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork with previously unseen photos, band involvement and new interviews. The late '80s were a golden time for hard rock. Bands were getting signed by the bucket load. Radio and MTV was full of the sound of a musical revolution whilst concert halls were packed to the rafters with fans who just couldn't get enough of wild guitars, wailing vocals and shout-it-out-loud songs. On paper, Lillian Axe had everything going for them hooks, looks and enough energy to power a nation. Why they didn't become a household name remains a mystery. Formed in New Orleans, and establishing themselves as local heroes, the band went through a variety of line ups, before settling on the Lillian Axe moniker and being spotted and courted by RATT's manager Marshall Berle, who brokered a recording deal with MCA. Part of the arrangement was that RATT guitarist Robbin Crosby would produce the album, a situation that worked out well for everyone involved. Recorded in Los Angeles and released in early 1988, the record sat proudly alongside other releases of the time, boasting material that went hand in glove with the prevailing zeitgeist. Tracks such as 'Dream Of A Lifetime', 'Vision In The Night' and 'The More That You Get', demonstrate just how accomplished their song writing was. Sadly, however, due to a regime change at their label, the record was cast aside with the new powers, strangely, insisting that they record a follow-up record rather than work the existing release. Sadly this release never got its deserved day in the sun.

Tracklist
1. Dream Of A Lifetime
2. Inside Out
3. Vision In The Night
4. Picture Perfect
5. The More That You Get
6. Misery Loves Company
7. Nobody Knows
8. Hard Luck
9. Waiting In The Dark
10. Laughing In Your Face

Amazon USA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XGY5XKD/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XGY5XKD/?tag=imwan-21

Love And War

Description
Special Deluxe Collector's Edition / Fully Remastered Audio shaped from 24 bit digital technology / 16 page full colour booklet - 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork with previously unseen photos, band involvement and new interviews. For Lillian Axe, the commercial under achievement of their debut album was a bitter pill to swallow. Yet it wasn't anywhere near as disappointing as the lacklustre performance of their second album 'Love + War', a record that has gone on to be regarded by many as one of the most accomplished and best loved records from the late '80s. Somehow they managed to achieve creative heaven with this release, a record that demonstrated an ability to write and perform courageous songs, elevating their reputation above the expectations normally associated with the sort of generic hard rock they had been lumped in with. 'Love + War' showcases a decidedly edgy band, one keen to explore and experiment with arrangements and performances that are light years ahead of the competition. In addition, the production, courtesy of British engineer Tony Platt (Def Leppard, AC/DC, Krokus) presented the band and their songs in a wide screen style, accentuating every twist and turn with pin-point accuracy. High points are many, but 'The World Stopped Turning', 'Show A Little Love' and 'She Likes It On Top' indicate the first rate quality. Listen out too for a choice cover of Girl's 'My Number'. Issued in mid-1999, the record registered barely a blip on the radar. Both management and label inexplicitly backing off when they were needed most. And that's a crying shame as this album is truly one of the most sensational records of the era, a buried treasure waiting to be rediscovered.

Tracklist
1. All's Fair In Love And War
2. She Likes It On Top
3. Diana
4. Down On You
5. The World Stopped Turning
6. Ghost Of Winter
7. My Number
8. Show A Little Love
9. Fool's Paradise
10. Letters In The Rain

Amazon USA
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XH27DH3/?tag=imwan-20

Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06XH27DH3/?tag=imwan-21

Mark MN · 13 Aug 2012

I had their 3rd disc, Poetic Justice. I don't know what I did with it because it's not in my collection. I remember liking it. Has that been remastered?

Anyway, I may pick up these two remasters. I never heard these.

Linda · **Posted:** Sat Apr 29, 2017 10:14 pm

I've added the cover images, descriptions and tracklists to the first post. Amazon UK is currently showing these as December 5th releases, but that's an error, they're both due this coming Friday, May 5th.

Mark, the Poetic Justice album hasn't been remastered yet. Maybe Rock Candy will tackle that one next.

Mark MN · 13 Aug 2012

Linda wrote:

I've added the cover images, descriptions and tracklists to the first post. Amazon UK is currently showing these as December 5th releases, but that's an error, they're both due this coming Friday, May 5th.

Mark, the Poetic Justice album hasn't been remastered yet. Maybe Rock Candy will tackle that one next.

Hopefully, they will. In fact, I'm sure they will since they're doing these.

JosephC · **Joined:** 27 Jan 2011 **Posts:** 2656

The first two albums (these Rock Candy remasters) were originally MCA releases. The third and fourth releases (Poetic Justice, Psychoschizophrenia) were I.R.S releases. There are more albums after that but I'm not familiar with them. I'm guessing the Rock Candy remasters will probably be limited to the first two because of the label difference.

For years CD copies of the first two albums were commanding $40-$50 on the used market but there was a Metal Mind Productions reissue of those albums about 10 years ago and demand for these titles have really dropped. But for awhile there they were high on the want list of AOR/hair-metal fans.

The first album is below average with the exception of one song, Visions in the Night, which is pure pop-metal bliss. Rest of the album is totally forgettable IMO. Love and War is a very, very good album with a couple clunkers but a number or really good songs. Poetic Justice was a good record but not as good as Love and War. I thought Psychoschizophrenia was a really mediocre record and lost track after that.

Bottom line, if you are an AOR/hair-metal fan then I would recommend Love and War. Really good, polished album with some strong songs.

[2017-05-05] Lillian Axe "Lillian Axe" and "Love And War" remasters (Rock Candy UK)

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