Great White - Great White (1984)

I recall seeing these cowboys on one of the Hard 'n Heavy video volumes, making complete prats out of themselves singin' 'Wasted Rock Ranger'. This major label debut however is by far the best record they ever made, quickly sliding down the greasy downhill slope afterwards. This drives straight into action with the sizzling 'Out Of The Night', a ballsy, infectious record that brings to mind the purity of Fastway as Jack Russell attacks the riff of Kendall. There's a distinct '70s feel at times, but always rip roaring (apart from the unnecessary cover of The Who's 'Substitute'), but again Great White lick the flames with the chug groove of 'Stick It' and 'No Better Than Hell.' Sad that Great White became a parody, because this debut smoke's enough to set the fire alarm off, and as 'Bad Boys' and 'Streetkiller' spears from the sky like fork lightning, one has to wonder how it went wrong so quickly...but forget the decline and slap on 'Great White' and you'll find yourself rockin' till your heart's content.

7.5/10