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I doubt I will be able to match the standard Rikk set in his posts,but here goes.
A Little Aint Enough
“Perfect Timing”, sung David Lee Roth on this albums predecessor, the 1988 Platinum selling Skyscraper. However perfect timing eluded Roth for the release of its sequel, A Little Aint Enough. The leering sound of grunge was looming on the radar, ready to make David Lee Roth and his bombastic cavalier style totally passé.
Moving onto the context of the album, there were new horses in Roth’s stable for this release. Steve Vai and Billy Sheehan had both departed, replaced by Matt Bissionette(who had featured on the Skyscraper Tour) and young guitar maestro Jason Becker. The band was extended to a six piece with the addition of rhythm guitarist Steve Hunter. Handling production duties this time round was Bob Rock, Metallica’s long serving producer. This proved to be a vast improvement over the Roth produced “Skyscraper”, which many had felt had been over sanitised, cluttered with over dubs and irrelevant vocal effects.
More bad luck befell Roth and Co, before recording was complete; Becker was diagnosed with the depilating disease ALS, subsequently ruling him out of the world tour.
The title track opens the album in the typical Roth style, totally over the top. Its a track that merits being played LOUD, because, after all, A Lil Aint Enough. A good clean start to the album, punchy, catchy, and just damn good fun, but we're dealing with DLR so expecting anything less would be an insult! Following hot on the heels is "Shoot It", which continues the album in the same vein. "Lady Luck" has a slighty slower tempo that the previous two songs, and sounds slighty darker, but still tinged with Rothness throughout, and a soaring solo. "Hammerhead Shark" is typical Roth, fast song,fun lyrics, and oh so catchy.
"Tell The Truth" is the albums first marked departure, into a bluesy terrority, one that suits Roth perfectly. The song sounds very smooth and immediately envokes a dark seedy club environment. Its a definite standout moment on the album, Roth and the band came together well on this track and it shows. This is one of Roth's best solo tracks of his career.
Roth returns to normal form with the scorching guitar riffs of "Baby's On Fire",another song which really hits you with its sonic power,reminding you that Roth doesnt lament for long! "40 Below" continues the trailblazing pace set by the previous track, on this album the energy coming from the band is totally undeniable!
"Sensible Shoes" again treads the blues terrority, DLR picks up the harmonica to give the song a downtown and sassy vibe, and the lyrics are Roth at his witty best."Last Call" is another inoffensive rocker. Many of the rock tunes on the album seem somewhat similiar,but that has a redeeming quality, as the album is consistant and none are below par.
"The Dogtown Shuffle" is Roth doing dark edged social commentary, a brief respite from the "living life to 11" attitude the majority of the album emphasises. Roth still finds time to inject some humour,and the dark edge of the song makes for compelling listening.
"Its Showtime" was written by Roth and Becker, is another track just oozing with energy and drive, and Roth's personality comes through on the track. The albums final track, the epic "Drop In the Bucket",is a very apt closer to a great album. It is a truly classic track which stands above many of the others on the album. Again written by Roth and Becker, the only downside to these 2 great songs is it makes you ask the eternal question "what if", in regards to Becker's health.
A Little Aint Enough was Roth's last true major label release, it went Gold in April 1991 but then sales stalled as MTV became obsessed with grunge and the "Seattle Scene". Which is a true shame, as the album was true Roth and Roll,it deserved a greater audience. The album has been mindlessy deleted by WB now, so ebay is the best bet. Its worth the trouble because the album is a true classic!
I put this in the main forum because more people look in Main.
A Little Aint Enough
“Perfect Timing”, sung David Lee Roth on this albums predecessor, the 1988 Platinum selling Skyscraper. However perfect timing eluded Roth for the release of its sequel, A Little Aint Enough. The leering sound of grunge was looming on the radar, ready to make David Lee Roth and his bombastic cavalier style totally passé.
Moving onto the context of the album, there were new horses in Roth’s stable for this release. Steve Vai and Billy Sheehan had both departed, replaced by Matt Bissionette(who had featured on the Skyscraper Tour) and young guitar maestro Jason Becker. The band was extended to a six piece with the addition of rhythm guitarist Steve Hunter. Handling production duties this time round was Bob Rock, Metallica’s long serving producer. This proved to be a vast improvement over the Roth produced “Skyscraper”, which many had felt had been over sanitised, cluttered with over dubs and irrelevant vocal effects.
More bad luck befell Roth and Co, before recording was complete; Becker was diagnosed with the depilating disease ALS, subsequently ruling him out of the world tour.
The title track opens the album in the typical Roth style, totally over the top. Its a track that merits being played LOUD, because, after all, A Lil Aint Enough. A good clean start to the album, punchy, catchy, and just damn good fun, but we're dealing with DLR so expecting anything less would be an insult! Following hot on the heels is "Shoot It", which continues the album in the same vein. "Lady Luck" has a slighty slower tempo that the previous two songs, and sounds slighty darker, but still tinged with Rothness throughout, and a soaring solo. "Hammerhead Shark" is typical Roth, fast song,fun lyrics, and oh so catchy.
"Tell The Truth" is the albums first marked departure, into a bluesy terrority, one that suits Roth perfectly. The song sounds very smooth and immediately envokes a dark seedy club environment. Its a definite standout moment on the album, Roth and the band came together well on this track and it shows. This is one of Roth's best solo tracks of his career.
Roth returns to normal form with the scorching guitar riffs of "Baby's On Fire",another song which really hits you with its sonic power,reminding you that Roth doesnt lament for long! "40 Below" continues the trailblazing pace set by the previous track, on this album the energy coming from the band is totally undeniable!
"Sensible Shoes" again treads the blues terrority, DLR picks up the harmonica to give the song a downtown and sassy vibe, and the lyrics are Roth at his witty best."Last Call" is another inoffensive rocker. Many of the rock tunes on the album seem somewhat similiar,but that has a redeeming quality, as the album is consistant and none are below par.
"The Dogtown Shuffle" is Roth doing dark edged social commentary, a brief respite from the "living life to 11" attitude the majority of the album emphasises. Roth still finds time to inject some humour,and the dark edge of the song makes for compelling listening.
"Its Showtime" was written by Roth and Becker, is another track just oozing with energy and drive, and Roth's personality comes through on the track. The albums final track, the epic "Drop In the Bucket",is a very apt closer to a great album. It is a truly classic track which stands above many of the others on the album. Again written by Roth and Becker, the only downside to these 2 great songs is it makes you ask the eternal question "what if", in regards to Becker's health.
A Little Aint Enough was Roth's last true major label release, it went Gold in April 1991 but then sales stalled as MTV became obsessed with grunge and the "Seattle Scene". Which is a true shame, as the album was true Roth and Roll,it deserved a greater audience. The album has been mindlessy deleted by WB now, so ebay is the best bet. Its worth the trouble because the album is a true classic!
I put this in the main forum because more people look in Main.
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