SHANGHAI’D GUTS – Life Ain’t Nothing But A Joke (1995) Rare Albums

Now here’s a requested rarity – a not so easy to find CD – 1995’s “Life Ain’t Nothing But A Joke“, the last album from Germany hard rockers SHANGHAI’D GUTS. While this five-piece started operations in the ’80s playing a sleaze / glammy influenced brand of hard rock, for this album the guys changed a little in favor to a more classic rock affair.
“Life Ain’t Nothing But A Joke” is driven traditional guitar riffs, but the band not only added classic Hammond B3 organ to their sound, also a bluesy background. You find songs influenced by Jimmy Page solo material, The Quireboys, Mott, Black Crowes, some ’80s Rolling Stones, etc.

The interesting thing about “Life Ain’t Nothing But A Joke” – apart of the good songwriting and musicianship – is the different approach than the aforementioned bands in terms of production / mix. SHANGHAI’D GUTS use defined pan/stereo tracking for the guitar layers, the vocal harmonies, even on one song the drums are only heard in one side channel.
Quite rare and good stuff – Highly Recommended

01 – Out Of Tune
02 – Don’t Need You
03 – I Can’t Stand It No More
04 – I’m Sane
05 – Life Ain’t Nothing But A Joke
06 – Poor People
07 – Paradise
08 – Words To Hurt Me
09 – Catch My Fall
10 – I Get High On You
11 – Lil’ Angel
12 – Suck My Pain

Vocals, Harmonica – Stefan Kraft
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Axel Kraft
Organ, Piano, Clavinet – Markus Glossner
Bass – Kim Kiesling
Drums – Rüdiger Hensel

Out of print