STAGE DOLLS – Stripped [Japan HR/HM 1000 Vol.5 series Limited Release] (2022) HQ *0dayrox Exclusive*

Universal Music Japan did it again, a new campaign of their ‘HR/HM 1000‘ series – the Limited Release reissue of long time out of print albums from their Hard Rock / Heavy Metal catalog at the price of 1000 Yen = about 9 USD.
Now it’s time for the second 2022 batch, ”HR-HM 1000 Vol.5”. And as part of these there’s the for years very hard to find on CD “Stripped“, by Norwegian melodic rock wonders STAGE DOLLS.
It was 1991, and a rocking sound was dominating the scene, so for their fourth album STAGE DOLLS delivered an earthier, rougher AOR record with sharper guitars. Usually a title like “Stripped” is associated with an ‘acoustically filled’ sound – not the case with this CD. The songs rock with electricity, however the anthemic AOR multi-part choruses this band is known for are present all over.

They called this album more ‘rootsy’, when Stage Dolls started in the ’80s before their first album. Gone are the synths and sequencers which were still knee-deep in the rhythm carpet on the previous disc “Stage Dolls”.
Instead, we find a guitar sound more straight from the amp, pumping clean bass lines and classic rock drumming. Torstein Flakne’s vocal come out natural, not heavily processed like before.

Make no mistake, on “Stripped” STAGE DOLLS remain faithful to their style, melodic and ridiculously catchy tunes with that ’80 / early ’90s feeling. There’s just more ‘groove’ and ‘rock’.
There’s just terrific songs like “Life in America” (highlight), “Stand by You”, “In the Heat”, the cool “Livin’ on Borrowed Love”, “Rock this City”, and “Love Don’t Bother Me”, which according to the band is one of the best songs they ever penned.

As usual with STAGE DOLLS production is immaculate and this ”HR-HM 1000 Vol.5” Japanese CD pressing sound quality is excellent
A Limited Edition well worth the investment on very good album quite hard to find on physical format.
Highly Recommended

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01 – Stand by You
02 – Life in America
03 – Left Foot Boogie
04 – Love Don’t Bother Me
05 – Money
06 – Sorry (Is All I Can Say)
07 – In the Heat
08 – Let’s Get Crazy
09 – Goodbye to Amy
10 – Rock This City
11 – Livin’ on Borrowed Love
12 – Down on Me

Torstein Flakne – vocals, guitars
Terje Storti – bass, vocals
Steinar Krokstad – drums, vocals

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www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UICY-79882