EVERY MOTHER’S NIGHTMARE – Wake Up Screaming [Japanese Edition] *HQ*

Although it never gained serious notoriety, Memphis, Tennessee 4-piece EVERY MOTHER’S NIGHTMARE second album “Wake Up Screaming” is a true gem. As requested, here’s the Japanese CD edition.
In 1987 EVERY MOTHER’S NIGHTMARE had burst on to the scene and were advancing nicely with their bluesy-imbued style of hard rock. The buzz originated from their energy-packed live shows on the venue circuit between Memphis and Nashville made some noise, and soon label A&R reps scouted the band. One, in particular, came to see them in April of 1989. On the night in question, the act that EVERY MOTHER’S NIGHTMARE played with had refused to let them use their lighting or sound equipment, which then forced the band to audition in a warehouse studio instead. They impressed the man from the record label so well that, with just 13 shows under their belts, the legendary Clive Davis signed EVERY MOTHER’S NIGHTMARE to Arista Records.

The band released a strong self-titled rocking record in 1990, much in the vein of US hard rock bands at the time. However with this second effort “Wake Up Screaming” is where EVERY MOTHER’S NIGHTMARE shows their maturity as performers & songwriters. The one and only Jimi Jamison, also from Memphis and friend of the band, provides backing vocals on this album.
Their superbly well-structured songs of bluesy melodic rock, packed with dynamic change-ups in timing and tempo, plus an abundance of melodic nuances, makes this album one of the best from the end of an era.

The album opens with the stellar track ‘House of Pain’. It starts off slowly, with a melodic sensibility, but soon becomes a straight ahead in your face rocker. A highlight. ‘Closet Down The Hall’ continues with the dynamics, drive by a biting riff in a song where the bluesy groove is infectious.
Then ‘I Hate Myself’ is one of the best midtempo rock tunes from the era that only a few had heard. Great one, co-written by expert Jack Ponti. ‘Already Gone’ should be pinned as a ballad however not syruped, somehow brings to mind a slightly Stryper vibe. It’s good, with atmosphere, and true rock essence.

David Lee Roth did a stupendous hard rockin’ version of “Tobacco Road” (originally recorded by Blues artist John D. Loudermilk in 1960), and EVERY MOTHER’S NIGHTMARE version is really good too maintaining its original blues pattern with the addtion of sharp guitar riffs.
Next we hear ‘Slip And Fall’, written by Greg Fulkerson of Blue Tears, a melodic rocker with swirling guitars, followed by ‘Good Die Young’, an awesome balls to the wall hard rocker – these guys rock hard here. ‘Break Down’ is another clear highlight and absolute commercial gem – might have given them a name if released back in 1989.

‘If I Had My Way’ was written & recorded by Autograph’s Steve Plunkett, EMN version stand out with a ‘bluesy AOR’ feeling, while ‘I Needed You’ adds acoustics to the mix for a ballad that increases in intensity, another really fine song with lots of harmonies.
They close the CD with a rollicking number, the anthemic ‘Cryin’ Shame’, a rapid raw tune with tons of energy.

EVERY MOTHER’S NIGHTMARE sophomore album ”Wake Up Screaming” sold well, spawned a moderate hit single with ‘House Of Pain’ and its subsequent video landed on MTV. However, in 1993 music industry already shifted, so much so that Arista Records dropped EVERY MOTHER’S NIGHTMARE less than a year after this second album was released.
The blow caused the band to lose momentum during the latter half of the ’90s and resulted in numerous lineup changes. Anyway, EVERY MOTHER’S NIGHTMARE is still alive and kickin’, and are recording a new album to be released next year.
”Wake Up Screaming” is an album deserving to be re-discovered by classic American hard rock aficionados.
Highly Recommended

01. House Of Pain
02. Closet Down The Hall
03. I Hate Myself
04. Already Gone
05. Tobacco Road
06. Slip And Fall
07. Good Die Young
08. Break Down
09. If I Had My Way
10. Bang To The Bone
11. I Needed You
12. Cryin’ Shame

Rick Ruhl – vocals
Steve Malone – guitar
Mark McMurtry – bass
Jim Phipps – drums
with
Jimi Jamison – backing vocals

out of print