STARZ – Violation [Japan mini-LP SHM-CD Limited Release remastered +3] *EXCLUSIVE*

As requested, here’s the excellent, now out of print, remastered Japanese Limited Release on SHM-CD of STARZ second album “Violation“, produced by Jack Douglas of Aerosmith fame. STARZ was one of the great American hard rock arena acts from the second half of Seventies on par with Aerosmith, Ted Nugent or Kiss, which despite a lack of major commercial success has a lasting cult following and has been cited as a major influence by bands such as Mötley Crüe; Poison, Bon Jovi and Twisted Sister.

Starz avoided the fabled sophomore jinx with this cult classic “Violation”, for many, the best album in their entire catalog. It is also the closest they came to a commercial breakthrough, with the lead-off track, “Cherry Baby,” climbed its way into the US top 40 albeit for only a brief stay.
That song, along with its equally accessible follow up single, “Sing It Shout It,” should have been enough to break Starz into the top tier of late Seventies arena rock bands.
Alas, it was not to be. However it wasn’t from a lack of quality.

Historically we are told that “Violation” was supposed to be something of a concept record relating a story about some dystopian future where rock music has become a criminalized form of expression. Unfortunately Capitol Records saw things differently and had the songs re-sequenced and removed any other hints of a unifying plot.
The two singles that were released could lead you to believe that Starz was making a move towards a more radio friendly commercial viability, however the other tracks are as combustible as anything on their debut record… and then some!

“Rock Six Times” is a ferocious rocker that, more than any other track, reveals the elements of the abandoned story line. Michael Lee Smith sings of his discovery of a “scratchy old record called Walk This Way” that apparently is the beginning of a life of delinquency. This, of course, is frowned upon by a committee convened to decide how to handle such young hooligans in the excellent title track.
The accusatory choruses of “No that’s a Violation!” reverberate over the decades into our world that itself is all too willing to embrace censorship in the name of political correctness. This song should be required listening on every college campus.

The record’s best track is the ultra-punchy “Subway Terror.” Another of Starz excellent odes to the excitement of committing crimes. This riff-rockerI has something of Thin Lizzy on it, just done in an ‘American way’.
“All Night Long” is a straight-forward song that would have seemed perfect for their first record with its’ Kiss-alike nature. With “Cool One” Starz injects their always dependable sense of humor into things and the results are fabulous. The “cuckoo” sounding choruses are unlike anything you would hear in this style of music and the story conveyed in the lyrics is equally delightful…and quite a bit nasty for the moral sensitivities of the late Seventies.

“S.T.E.A.D.Y.” has an ominous sounding beginning that does not portend the rollicking rocker that quickly evolves out of it. The album ends with a somewhat strange ballad called “Is That A Street Light Or The Moon?” Singer Michael Lee Smith was always a strength for this band and his voice lends an atmospheric feel to the song. It is said that this track was a leftover from the first record but the solemn atmospherics give this record a fitting end.

“Violation” comes across as Starz perhaps best and most aggressive record. However, in spite of having a legitimate top 40 hit with “Cherry Baby,” the album failed to sell the number of units their record company was anticipating. One can only wonder why.
This album is truly representative of the best of American Arena Hard Rock.
The sound quality of this remastered SHM-CD is great, and we have 3 unreleased songs from the same sessions.
HIGHLY Recommended
Only at 0dayrox

ＵＮＩＶＥＲＳＡＬ ＭＵＳＩＣ ＪＡＰＡＮ ～ 【UICY-77824】
スターズ / 灼熱の砂漠+3 [SHM-CD]

01 – Cherry Baby
02 – Rock Six Times
03 – Sing It, Shout It
04 – Violation
05 – Subway Terror
06 – All Night Long
07 – Cool One
08 – S.T.E.A.D.Y.
09 – Is That A Street Light Or The Moon?
JAPAN BONUS TRACKS:
10 – Do It With The Lights On [Unreleased Demo]
11 – Cool One [Unreleased Demo]
12 – Rock This Town [Unreleased Demo]

Lead Vocals – Michael Lee Smith
Guitar – Brenden Harkin, Richie Ranno
Bass – Peter Sweval
Drums – Dubé

Out Of Print
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UICY-77824