HIT THE GROUND RUNNIN’ – Control Yourself [remastered +3] (2023) HQ *Exclusive*
While the band is working on a new record, their current label Pride & Joy Music is re-releasing “Control Yourself“, the second album from melodic rockers HIT THE GROUND RUNNIN’. Following the band’s acclaimed debut and cult LP “Sudden Impact” (1989), this sophomore album was originally recorded between 1990 and 1991 before being shelved and then eventually finding distribution with Smash Records back in 2001.
Feeling there was a demand over time, Pride & Joy Music updated the release remastered, with new cover art and 3 unreleased songs as bonus tracks. ”Control Yourself” has been remastered for a more crisp, bright sound.
The melodic rock played by the six-piece is pretty much like stuff from the typical Eighties action movies soundtracks plus a strong AOR pulse, anthemic punch similar to Aviator, Journey, etc. The reissue comes with three bonus cuts (one unreleased track by the name of “Melva Devine” and two alternate versions from two songs of the album).
Hit The Ground Runnin’ should have been embraced by the masses but due to marketing issues, distribution, or bad luck just never got their shot. The opening title track shows their potential. A strong riff that gives way to an AOR-nuanced verse and chorus, intercut with a bridge that exudes power. This back and forth creates a nice, dynamic track.
Second song ‘Back Again’ has a big chugging guitar with a chorus that is dominated by a terrific keyboard melody. After the second chorus, the song takes an interesting turn by throwing in an extra bridge that leads to a guitar and drum interplay before the requisite guitar solo. I love when songs take twists like that.
Things keep rolling along with the next track ‘Shanghaid’, one of my favorites from the album. Seems every member of the band gets their moment to shine on this track and the chorus hits all the right buttons: layered vocals, guitar pick on neck sliding, and prominent power keys.
Then there’s the ballad ‘Lost’, an acoustic-based track that gives way to power chords, but once again the star is the keyboardist, who performs a nice mix of piano overlaced with keyboards. A true power ballad in every sense and meaning.
Regarding this was a shelved recording – some tracks are pre-production demos – the overall sound quality is very good. What really matters here is the strength of these songs – pure late ’80s anthemic, melodic stuff. This band had the potential to shoot to the top and get worldwide acclaim had the album been released just a few years prior to the recording.
I touched on the first songs from the track list but other numbers like ‘Born To Be With You’ and ‘Surrounded By Fire’ are just as wonderful as the tracks that preceded them.
If you have not heard this album, it’s certainly worth your time and money as long as you know what you are in for production-wise, an unfinished recording that could have possibly been one of the best albums to represent the early ’90s melodic hard rock / AOR sound.
Highly Recommended
01 – Control Yourself
02 – Back Again
03 – Shanghaid
04 – Lost
05 – Still Life Lover
06 – Born To Be With You
07 – Pain
08 – Holding On
09 – I.C.U.
10 – Dirty Girl
11 – Surrounded By Fire
12 – Melva Devine (unreleased) [Bonus Track]
13 – Pain (Alternate Version) [Bonus Track]
14 – Back Again (Lead Guitar Alan Augunas) [Bonus Track]
Blair Ramsey – Vocals
Alan Augunas – Guitars
Rob Knauss – Keyboards
Paul Piccari – Bass
Craig Soma – Drums
BUY
www.amazon.co.uk/Control-Yourself-Hit-Ground-Runnin/dp/B0C23W8SM1
