REVIEW: Shaw/Blades Hallucination (Warner)

- Bob Gajarsky

When thinking back to the rock stars of the mid 1980's, two groups whose names come to mind are Styx and Night Ranger. Both groups had their share of falling down the mountain, and with their group Damn Yankees on a one year hiatus, veterans Tommy Shaw (of Styx) and Jack Blades (of Night Ranger) decided to blaze their own musical trail as Shaw/Blades. The result of this collaboration is Hallucination.

The first thought that comes to mind when combining Shaw and Blades' talents are that this should be a pop/rock album. In this case, the expectations are far surpassed by the results; Shaw and Blades have pooled their collective guitar talents for one of the best old fashioned rock albums this side of Tom Petty and Bob Dylan.

And, although the duo claims to get inspiration from the Beatles with their tamourines, shakers and bongos, it appears that Shaw and Blades have been listening to their share of the Byrds. Between vocals that sound alternately like a cross between the Byrds' Roger McGuinn and Tom Petty and guitars which aren't always plugged in, Hallucination is a throwback to the days when less was more and when electricity wasn't necesssary to play music.

The leadoff and title track, "My Hallucination", brings out the good old midwest rock sound with a slight tip of the hat to Eric Clapton's "Cocaine" at the midway point. "Down That Highway" also stands out on this excellent assortment. Co-producer Don Gehman, who has worked with John Cougar Mellencamp, brings more of the down-home feel to Hallucination.

In conclusion? Great for fans of Tom Petty, the Byrds, or other "down home" styles of rock. This would make an incredible Unplugged session.