TKO – Let It Roll [Rock Candy remastered +7] (2016)

TKO is often mentioned as influence by various famous ’80s hard rock acts, and after many years now all their albums are being officially ‘Remastered & Reloaded‘ by Rock Candy Records with several bonus tracks. “Let It Roll” was TKO’s debut.

The commonly held belief is that Seattle’s influential Rock scene started during the early ’90s with the establishment of grunge. However, peel back the layers and you’ll see the genre had the roots in the area since many years before.
It’s no surprise then to find that TKO, and specifically band leaders Brad Sinsel and Rick Pierce, were at the very beginning of those rumblings, all be it wearing very different clothes.

Formed in 1977, TKO was originally spotted by Albatross Productions, the original team that first signed and recorded Heart.
It wasn’t long before newly formed MCA subsidiary Infinity Records placed them in the studio with original Heart producer Mike Flicker to record their debut album “Let It Roll”.
Originally issued in early 1979, the album was the subject of a major promotional push with the band’s progress only to be thwarted by the label’s subsequent financial collapse as a result of advancing $6 million dollars for a part spoken word album of Pope John Paul II, which, by the way, flopped.

Musically “Let It Roll” was geared towards the late ’70s hard rock sound we all know and love, evoking comparisons to The Who, Montrose, Bowie and Queen, but it was clear that, beneath the smooth productions chops, a hard rock band was itching to impress.
Tracks such as ‘Ain’t No Way’, ‘Come A Day’ and ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Again’ bring to mind the pouting and preening of fine arena acts like early Foreigner and more obscure outfits like Trigger and Face Dancer.

This Rock Candy refresh on TKO’s “Let It Roll” is a welcomed reissue as the album was pretty hard to find for decades. The bonus material is really cool as well – live stuff showcasing how the band were on stage, though the sound quality is not the best.
Be aware there’s a fake – not remastered – version floating the web.

01. Let It Roll
02. Ain’t No Way To Be
03. Only Love
04. Gutter Boy
05. Kill The Pain
06. Come A Day
07. Rock N Roll Again
08. Bad Sister
09. What In The World
BONUS TRACKS:
10. Rock N Roll Again (Live)
11. Bad Sister (Live)
12. What In The World (Live)
13. Gutter Boy (Live)
14. Kill The Pain (Live)
15. Only Love (Live)
16. Let It Roll (Live)

Brad Sinsel – vocals
Rick Pierce – guitars
Tony Bortko – guitars, keyboards
Mark Seidenverg – bass
Darryl Siguenza – drums, percussion

BUY IT !
www.nehrecords.com/SHOP/TKOLetEuro.htm
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