Michael Monroe - Not Fakin' It (1989)

The much respected Hanoi frontman gets his gladrags back on and opts for a solo effort that reeks of Stones, Stooges, Hanoi (obviously) and punkoid sleaze. I always thought Mr Monroe should have achieved more despite his huge cult status and the eternal respect he acquired from the bands that worshipped him and yet overtook him, i.e. G 'n' R. Even so, when he knuckles down there's some pretty cool tracks here, 'While You Were Looking At Me', the Faces boogie of 'She's No Angel', and typical '80s late night radio warbler 'All Night With The Lights On'. At times it flirts with Alice Cooper and pouts throughout, Monroe always having a surprisingly effective voice in a genre occupied by so many whines and catty screams. The glam rock hoe-down of 'Shakedown' and fist pumping hair metal rocker 'Man With No Eyes' simply confirm what we all knew, that Michael is a talented guy with a rock 'n' roll soul. Just a shame he never hit the big time despite the trash talkin' jive of Hanoi Rocks.

7/10