HELIX – B-Sides [New Tracklist Re-Packaged Edition] (2016)

Perris Records has just released “B-Sides“, a collection of HELIX songs that the band published by themselves years ago under the same title, but this 2016 is a completely different release, including tracks not present previously, new artwork, and on a strictly limited pressing of only 500 CDs.

The title “B-Sides” here is misleading; a B-side is a track that appears on the flipside of a single, and is often not on the album. Most the tracks on this album not appeared on the flipside of any singles, at least not these versions.
However, the misleading title does not mar the excellent music contained within.

“B-Sides” contains songs written for various Helix albums from 1990 onwards, except the fun ‘Like Taking Candy From a Baby’, previously unreleased and recorded at the early stages of Helix in 1978. It was taped during the sessions from Helix’s excellent first album (Breaking Loose), but never released.
Some tracks have been re-recorded, such as the Quiet Riot meets Spinal Tap ‘S-E-X-Rated’, which actually appeared as a B-side, but it’s not the same version as on that single. Same with the killer rocker ‘Jaws of the Tiger’ originally appeared on Over 60 Minutes With… (1989) but this version for “B-Sides” was re-recorded.
On the other hand, ‘Everybody Pays The Price’ (B-side to the single The Storm from 1990s Back For Another Taste) appears in its original form.

The really good ‘Danger Zone’ features the reunion of surviving members of the “classic” 1980s lineup, as well as ‘S.E.X. Rated’.
Other songs were recorded by different Helix members at different times in the band’s history, ie. ‘Delilah’, which had Jeff Fountain on bass, Archie Gamble on drums, and Rainer Weichmann on guitar & producing.
Some songs feature players who were associated with the band in some way or form: the weird ‘I Just Wanna Be Stoned’ (Tony Paleschi on bass, Bill Gadd on guitar, Archie Gamble on drums) and the pretty Kiss-like ‘You Got the Love That I Like’ (Danny Broadbeck on guitar & producing).

But the absolute gem on this 2016 release – not present on the original “B-Sides” – is without a doubt the rare remix of ‘Good To The Last Drop’ one of the finest Helix compositions ever. ‘Good To The Last Drop (Tony Bongiovi Radio Re-mix)’ is much more AOR than the original, including lots of keyboards, harmony vocals and a true ’80s feel.

Helix’s “B-Sides” are not just a compilation of left-overs or discarded tracks, not at all. From the midtempos to the hard rocking stuff, this Helix CD has a bit of everything you already liked about the band, with a modern production edge on newly recorded tracks.
Along the way, there are appearances from pretty much every major Helix member from the indie days to the mid-90s. You will even hear songs written and performed by Paul Hackman, the late Helix guitarist who was tragically killed in a 1992 car accident.
Every song kicks, there’s not a weak track in the bunch. Hard Rock and Helix fans absolutely need to hear this music; not B-sides but in fact some of Helix’s best stuff.

You’ve seen it first here, at 0dayrox

01 – Jaws Of The Tiger
02 – Danger Zone
03 – S-E-X Rated
04 – Delilah *
05 – You Got Me Chained
06 – Everybody Pays The Price *
07 – Good To The Last Drop (Tony Bongiovi Radio Re-mix) *
08 – Take It Or Leave It
09 – You’ve Got The Love That I Like
10 – Like Taking Candy From A Baby
11 – I Just Wanna Be Stoned *

* Not present in the original B-Sides edition

BUY IT !
www.perrisrecords.com/new_releases/helix___b_sides/
musicbuymail.com/en/shop/cd/helix-b-sides-cd
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