Helix - Smash Hits....Unplugged

The rock n' roll contained on this album is all 100% dynamite! Helix has been around in many forms over the years, some bad and some good and some just great. This is them in the just great form one more time but in an unplugged setting. The bands acoustic takes on their classics kicks off with a smoking version of "Gimme Good Lovin" from the Walkin' The Razors Edge album which broke them making them Canadian metal stars. The version here is as good as their original cover back in 1984. The opener melts into a laid back version of "The Kids Are All Shakin'" from the bands over produced 1985 album Long Way To Heaven. This version is a million times better than the original recording and should forever be the go to version for a listen. When the groovy sleaze of "Heavy Metal Love" appears you've pretty much already gotten your money's worth. This takes one of the bands most loved tunes and lays a sexy backwoods Mississippi blues groove all over it. The song has never sounded so good and comfortable. This is one of the best tracks on the album and shows how good Brian Vollmer still is thirty plus years later into his career as a vocalist. The bands worst record is given a second look with "Deep Cuts The Knife" that actually comes off better here stripped back and lightened of the overwrought production. Still the song isn't that strong and should have been dumped in favour of maybe "The Storm" or something from It's A Business Doing Pleasure.

When we get a song from the bands return to form it's 87's Wild In The Streets which was the title track as well as lead off single. Helix slicks their hair back and gives the song a swagger which was probably always there just buried in the bad production of the album. A new song in the form of a cover of the James Leroy's "Touch Of Magic" that hopefully will get some airplay from radio. It's a great cover and the song deserves some attention for it's late songwriter. Well of course the album closes with the bands biggest song that classic/masterpiece "Rock You" and it's again a complete winner. The spirit is still there along with the energy allowing the song to be used as a favorite while singing and strumming at campfires. Fritz's drums are not a blaze like they were on the original but this version isn't meant for that purpose, as I mention earlier. This is the sing-a-long group version for all the balding metal heads to have fun with their kids while in the car on long drives or camping in the woods. Overall I'm pleased as punch for a new Helix album even if its a rehashing of their old stuff. The band took some great songs did great versions acoustically and now all who think re-recording their material for a hits package is a good idea should first be sat down and shown how to do it right by listening to this album. Can anyone remember the worst album of this style (This Left Feels WRONG)? Thanks again for more great music now where is the all new material album? Lets Go Helix Lets Go! Lets Go Helix Lets Go! Lets Go Helix Lets Go! Lets Go Helix Lets Go!