Category: SHUT UP & DRIVE

Yesterday we featured here the debut album from American Melodic Hard Rockers SHUT UP & DRIVE, and now here’s the also requested sophomore release “Control”. Despite of being recorded & released in 1997 in the midst the grunge era, not only SHUT UP & DRIVE maintained their ’80-style feel-good vibe but also the impressive quality production sound.
The songs in “Control” still retains that classic US melodic hard rock spirit of the first album, with an augmented bluesy hard rock style. The SKID ROW similarities of some parts of the first album are replaced by a ‘mature TESLA / EXTREME’ approach here, plus some ’90s NIGHT RANGER, HURRICANE, etc.
“Control” not only is strong for its very good production and songwriting, but also the players. The singer has that clean yet powerful voice needed for this genre, and the lead guitarist is second to none. Seriously, his chops are similar to Nuno Bettencourt or George Lynch.
Overall, “Control” is even better than the band’s debut, more complete…

As requested, here’s “Driven“, the quite unknown debut album by American Melodic Hard Rockers SHUT UP & DRIVE in its Japanese Edition.
Put out in 1994, SHUT UP & DRIVE didn’t care the down-tuned trend of the moment and released this wonderful, totally late ’80s / early ’90s sounding album that while independent produced, its quality is on par with any major label stuff. It’s so good that Japanese label Brunette / Alfa Records, Inc took notice and released the album in Asia when in America the CD was already very hard to find.
“Driven” not only is strong for its very good production and songwriting, but also the players. The singer has that clean yet powerful voice needed for this genre, and the lead guitarist is second to none. Seriously, his chops are similar to Nuno Bettencourt or George Lynch.
Additionally, and we can mention as reference acts like SKID ROW, TESLA, VAN HALEN and ROXY BLUE, SHUT UP & DRIVE has their very own style and gusto…