Review by Ritchie Birnie for MPM
Who remembers Manic Eden? No? I am sure this album from 1993 passed many people by…I know it did me but with a line up with Adrian Vandenberg, Rudy Sarzo and Tommy Aldridge I have to wonder how this got by me and when I heard it thank the gods it has been given a re release now.
The boys were in Whitesnake at the time but Mr ere’s a song for you was working with Jimmy Page so rather than sitting idly by they decided to get together instead of watching the creative juices dry up and they roped in Little Caesar singer Ron young and Manic Eden were born.
It was a tough time with that dreaded pandemic of the 90s called Grunge killing everything with talent and a happy disposition so this really was a one and done and the only gigs played were some acoustic shows in France and you really wonder what could have happened had this bunch of seriously talented guys had managed to stick together.
After the polished Whitesnake albums, videos and sound the band wanted something raw, something more organic and bizarrely enough this sounds more like the original Whitesnake than the likes of album 1987.
The band wanted a more bluesy sound, a 70s steeped album which will go down so well today. This really is a gem of the 90s. The opening track “Can You Feel It” is a Coverdale’s Purple era. Vandenberg is on fire as he summons his inner Hendrix and the bottom end from Sarzo is outstanding with Aldridge sounding as good as his very numerous projects in their hey day.
The guitar work really sounds like Adrian’s best work that has gone unheard and Ron on vocals owns this funky number. “Gimme a Shot” is next and as I sit here with it pumping through my Speakers it is like the band are right here playing in the room. This has a real jam feel and if they wanted organic they sure as hell got it.
It is time to get your funk on in “Fire in My Soul” and I swear this could have been on Electric Boys Funk O Metal Carpet Ride album as it is so in that vibe. Ron goes all Glenn Hughes on us and Sarzo is doing the same on bass. This is one hell of a track.
“Do Angels Die” actually has a video on YouTube but do not expect any Tawny Kitten draped over a car, but do expect an outstanding song. The Hendrix guitar is there but phased into a balladic number that fits with that dodgy Black and White video. Ron pulls off this type of number with ease , a very beautiful track.
We go back to the funk vibe on “Pushing Me” and I am loving this and am almost slapping myself for missing this first time round but like everything in the 90s I will blame Grunge.
Tommy is on fire here, the fills are so in your face and Ron is putting in a stronger showing than those first two (and excellent) Little Caesar albums and do not get me started on Adrian’s fretwork majesty. I am struggling to think of better work he has done and I know that is high praise.
The acoustic is out on “Dark Side of Shade” and this feels very Southern, very laid back and so set in the 70s it has its own flares and flowery shirt. Adrian wanted to get back to bands he loved like Cream, Free and Zep as he thought they sounded timeless and considering this sounds so amazing 30 years laters tells you he managed exactly what he was striving for.
“Keep it Coming” is an upbeat monster littered with cracking guitars, cowbell and a sass all of its own. It is from an era of greatness and it is not out of place.
Rudy gives us a Blues bass lesson on the opening of “When the Hammer Comes Down” and the Southern opening blasts into some balls out Rock’n’Roll that The Dead Daisies have placed a career on and Ron is definitely sinking into the Corabi vibe. This track is a blistering number.
Back to the acoustic for “Ride the Storm” and it is brilliant hearing Ron singing so differently to what he is better known for. This is as close to his cover of Chain of Fools or the opening of “I Wish it Would Rain” as you can get but even so he is really jumping feet first into this record and it is beautiful to behold.
The album closes on the funk again and with the spoken vocals on “Can’t Hold It” it veers into Chilli Peppers territory but the song goes back and forth and this could be a homage to Rory Gallagher. The blues is there, the guitar is there and the same, good time feelings come flowing over you.
Manic Eden is not to be missed. A lot of us may be 30 years late to the show but I am fully on board now. With the huge amount of 70s fused bands coming out, Black Crowes back in the saddle now this is the time for this album to be showcased again and with more aplomb this time.
This is a powerful piece of work that shows no aging, it is a good old Rock’n’Roll album with incredible talent that shines throughout every single track. Do not let this incredible album pass you by.
Pre-order / Stream: https://lnk.to/maniceden
