Search - Van Stephenson :: Righteous Anger

The best album nobody knows about.

oldschooler1981 | San Jose, CA | 02/08/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"On many 1980's album reviews, you'll hear me say I remember hearing the songs as a young kid. Not so here. In early '99, at the ripe old age of 17, I was walking home from school and found this abandoned tape literally on the side of the road. I took it home with me and heard an old recording from a rock station in my area."Modern Day Delilah" came on and I did a search to see who did it. It sure sounded alot like solo Don Henley with a slightly harder rock edge, but I didn't remember him singing that. Miraculously, I found a used casette of this full album at a garage sale a week or two later and have loved it ever since.1. Delilah -- The afforementioned song was the only hit I know of, and a dang good one! Poppy keyboard and guitar based medium rocker with guts. Lyrics about a backstabbing girl, which were just as good as any of the time.2. I Know Who You Are -- There are only two clunkers here, and strangely enough, so early on, this happens to be one of them. Another mid tempo rock song, but has no real hook or catchy verses and sounds a bit paranoid.3. What the Big Girls Do -- If this had actually been a hit single in its time, I wouldn't be surprised, because it sure is catchier than [heck]! A teeny bit more hard rocking than MDD, but a perfect, melodic pop/rock party anthem about a teenage girl who likes older guys.4. Don't Do That -- Remember how I was saying there were two clunkers? This is the other one, but it's marginally better. Still, it's a mid tempo, almost country-ish tune that just doesn't seem to go anywhere.5. Others Only Dream -- The piano based, slightly rocking and emotionally sung power ballad is another highlight and a lost treasure. Boy, he really sounds like Henley here, but that's a good thing, since I like him too.6. The quiet ballad is offset with the title track, which is bordering on hard rock. It almost sounds like it could be Def Leppard or another pop/metal band doing it. As it says, a somewhat angry relationship tune. It's sugary, fun anger though, as opposed to the whiny, unmelodic, noisy screaming anger of today's third rate nu-metal bands.7. The Cure Will Kill You -- A more experimental and more serious track in the form of this mid tempo rocker with some saxophone usage.8. You've Been Lied to Before -- Sounds like a less good version of 'MDD', but still not bad at all. Just a more generic mid tempo AOR rocker.9. Heart Over Mind -- This one has grown on me since the almost 5 years ago that I got this album. Another power ballad a bit softer than 'OOD'. Not quite as catchy, but equally melodic and touching.10. All American Boy -- The fun returns here with the humorous, hard rocking pop tale of a popular and fun all American boy, who has beer can tops, parties and girls.I have to say, I really don't know how this slipped through the cracks. My tape says it came out in 1984, which was just right for this style. It would've been right at home on the charts alongside Survivor, Foreigner, Van Halen, Bruce Springsteen, and even the guy's vocal twin, Don Henley.Basically, it's a cross between medium pop/rock, AOR and hard rock. If you enjoy the above mentioned bands and you see this anywhere, don't hesitiate to pick it up! You might never get the chance again."

Rock music you can understand

oldschooler1981 | 06/11/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Title track is a good rock tune. Others only dream is a cool slow song. This is a rock group not many know about. This music grows on you like fine wine. I have been looking for this album for a long time."

Great album

oldschooler1981 | 08/29/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been looking for this one for YEARS!! I've worn out two tapes, and only wished I could get it on cd. The title track Rocks! This is typical 80's, if you like 80's music, you like this album. Modern Day Dehlila was the only hit, but all the other songs are great. My favorite would be the title track, next All American Boy."