MONTROSE – Paper Money [Rock Candy remaster] (2015)

Rock Candy Records has just ‘Remastered & Reloaded‘ a batch of 3 essential MONTROSE albums. “Paper Money” was the second album by the California-based hard rock band, produced by Ted Templeman and their final recording with original vocalist Sammy Hagar. It marks the arrival of new bass player Alan Fitzgerald as well, replacing original bassist Bill Church.

There’s little doubt that the self titled debut Montrose album was an absolute game changer in the world of hard rock / metal. In fact, these days it is pretty much recognised as ground zero for all that became of the genre, with a sound and swagger that birthed many followers, including Van Halen.
In fact, Eddie Van Halen always said that the sound he had in mind for his band was inspired by Montrose.
Formed by, and named after guitarist Ronnie Montrose, the band featured then unknown vocalist Sammy Hagar who would later go on to enjoy a successful solo career and, ironically, fronting Van Halen.
This second Montrose album, craftily titled “Paper Money”, was recorded and produced once again by master of the art Ted Templeman.

Musical diversity is the driving force behind “Paper Money”, which opens with the catchy melodic rock / pop flavored and radio-friendly “Underground”, an unlikely cover of a song released the previous year by eccentric Warner Bros. labelmates Chunky, Novi & Ernie. Featuring an organ-like guitar sound created by using a Leslie speaker cabinet instead of a conventional guitar amplifier and given a major musical makeover that obscures the song’s dark, death-obsessed lyrics, the song sets the tone for an album that is unpredictable at every turn.
Indeed, the record delivers a broad musical spectrum which includes an acoustic ballad cover (the Jagger / Richards penned “Connection”) and an upbeat, spooky instrumental in “Starliner”, plenty of crazy effects.

Ronnie Montrose heightens and expands his own presence by contributing lead vocals on the pensive ballad “We’re Going Home”, which features mellotron provided by guest keyboardist Nick DeCaro who would later join Ronnie Montrose’s post-Montrose Open Fire band.
There’s an intriguing, grooving number in “Spaceage Sacrifice”, while the epic and eerily prophetic title track has my favorite Sammy Hagar vocals on the album.
We have as well a moving hard rocker and a highlight in “I Got The Fire”, a song that easily picks up where the debut album left off, a track effectively covered by Iron Maiden several years later.

“Paper Money” was a record that found band leader Ronnie Montrose making a decidedly left of centre stylistic turn, introducing a collection of mellower, perhaps more introspective – but also radio friendly – songs into the mix. Sure, it was still very much a hard rock album, but the emphasis was placed on mood and atmosphere rather than muscle and brawn.
To me, musically “Paper Money” was ahead of its time, and production-wise, it’s one of the best recorded albums of the era. This technical advantage is properly handled by Rock Candy resulting in an awesome remaster, crystal clear and with an excellent dynamic range.
Highly Recommended.

01 – Underground
02 – Connection
03 – The Dreamer
04 – Starliner
05 – I Got The Fire
06 – Spaceage Sacrifice
07 – We’re Going Home
08 – Paper Money

Sammy Hagar – lead vocals
Ronnie Montrose – guitar, lead vocals on 7
Alan Fitzgerald – bass guitar
Denny Carmassi – drums
Mark Jordan – piano on 2
Nick DeCaro – mellotron on 7

BUY IT !
www.amazon.co.uk/Paper-Money-Montrose/dp/B016L1LCKS
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