PLATINUM OVERDOSE – Murder In High Heels (2019)
After listen to PLATINUM OVERDOSE‘s debut album “Murder In High Heels” you might be asking yourself what decade is it? Every track on this platter certainly sounds, feels and looks like the 80s… did these guys actually put a record together in 2019?
Comprised of Matt Thorr of Rough Cutt on rhythm guitars, album producer and bassist Lance V., Steve Philbrook from Brass Kitten on vocals and Rick Mead from Syre on lead guitars, one can see how these guys could put together such an Eighties Rock experience.
One listen to “Red Light Rhythm” and especially “Rise Up” confirms that Platinum Overdose are the “80s real deal”. It helps of course to have a stellar supporting cast with rhythm guitarist Matt Thorr (Rough Cutt, Jailhouse, Stephen Pearcy) and lead guitarist Rick Mead (Syre) but the real champion behind Platinum Overdose is actually vocalist Steve Philbrook.
Philbrook was the lead vocalist for the now defunct Brass Kitten that released two albums — E-Z ‘N’ Pretty (1990) and Across America (2001). His vocal range, at least on E-Z ‘N’ Pretty is nothing short of phenomenal and it is obvious that the man has more than retained his great vocal cords almost 30 years later.
Demon Doll Records principal Lance V. who is the architect behind the band, plays bass on the album, and produced and mastered the record. When you have put out as many ’80s / ’90s era albums as Lance V. did, apparently you eventually obtain a very good understanding of what a stellar ’80s hard rock album should sound like.
I can’t say enough how great the songs sound. The start guitar riff on opening track “Pretty & Punk” sucks you in right away and by the time Philbrook sings a few bars, you are well on your way to one of the better rockin’ tracks that you’ll hear this year.
“Rise Up” is even better, which will likely be Platinum Overdose‘s signature song going forward. This is a true anthem from start to finish highlighted by Philbrook‘s amazing vocal delivery. I like all the songs on “Murder In High Heels” (the title was influenced by KISS‘ track of the same name off Animalize) but there are a couple of others that stand out over the rest.
“Red Light Rhythm” is probably a much more lighter fare but it’s such a great ’80s sounding track that I can’t help but get foot tapping every time that I listen to it.
“Bye Bye Baby” could have easily found itself on FireHouse‘s debut album. Everything from the melodies to the singing reminds me of FireHouse and especially singer C.J. Snare. “Broken Boulevard” simply has some great melodies and always stands out every time that I listen to the album.
One interesting aspect of Platinum Overdose‘s debut album is that some songs date back from the early ’80s and ’90s, and there are many different songwriters including none other than Mötley Crüe‘s Nikki Sixx. From the writing credits, two songs (“Pretty & Punk” and “Bye By Baby”) were written by Lance V.‘s former and unfortunately now deceased Champagne Suicide bandmate (from apparently back in the early ’90s) Chester Olsefsky, two were penned by a man named Aerial Stiles (“Young And Wild” and the stellar “Rise Up”), one from Philbrook (“Need Your Love”), two from Lance V. (“Red Light Rhythm” and “Out On The Run”), two involving some collaborations (“Broken Boulevard” and “Girls On Fire”) and one from Sixx (“Black Widow”).
Indeed, “Black Widow” sounded somewhat like Mötley Crüe‘s ‘On With The Show’ and had a real ‘Too Fast For Love’ feel to it. It appears that “Black Widow” was written for the Crüe‘s ‘Shout At The Devil’ album, and later was included in the Red, White And Blue compilation record.
Platinum Overdose‘s debut album “Murder In High Heels” is a real winner and lives up very well to its moniker “80s’ Hard Rock Alive & Kickin’.” I would be remiss if I did not mention lead guitarist Rick Mead‘s stellar guitar playing and solos throughout the record, which really provide that ’80s glammy feel.
Quite simply, if you like your US L.A. Scene stuff made right 2019, you need to check out Platinum Overdose‘s “Murder In High Heels”.
Highly Recommended
01. Pretty & Punk
02. Rise Up
03. Need Your Love
04. Red Light Rhythm
05. Young And Wild
06. Bye Bye Baby
07. Black Widow
08. Out On The Run
09. Broken Boulevard
10. Girls On Fire
Steve Philbrook – lead and background vocals
Rick Mead (Syre) – lead guitar
Matt Thorr (Rough Cutt, Stephen Pearcy) – guitar, keyboards, vocals
Lance V. – bass, vocals
Additional Musicians:
Lance Stevens – lead guitar (4, 9)
Glen W. – drums
BUY IT
platinumoverdose.bandcamp.com/album/murder-in-high-heels
