Quiet Riot – Metal Health & Condition Critical Remasters
Rock Candy Records
www.rockcandyrecords.com

Rating:
Metal Health:              B+
Condition Critical      B-

Classic Rock Revisited was thrilled to see the label Rock Candy Records release two albums by one of the 1980’s loudest bands, Quiet Riot.  The band’s two biggest sellers, 1983’s classic Metal Health and 1984’s Condition Critical both hit the million plus mark in sales upon release and catapulted the band, who’s biggest claim to fame had been that Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Randy Rhoads had once been a member of QR, to international fame.   

Metal Health
The band hit the big time when they remade Slade’s “Cum on Feel the Noize.” The song went to #5 on the singles charts, while the parent album became the first, quote, unquote, Heavy Metal album to reach the top spot on the album charts. MTV jumped onboard and played the daylights out of the band’s video for “Bang Your Head (Metal Health)” and the rest is history.

The album, however, is much more than two hits, as other hard rocking tunes include the greasy “Slick Black Cadillac,” the burning “Love’s a Bitch,” the head banging “Let’s Get Crazy” and vocalist Kevin Dubrow’s tribute to Randy Rhoads “Thunderbird” making this a must-own and historical album.

Condition Critical
Quiet Riot became so popular with Metal Health that the follow-up proved to be impossible to top.  The album sold Platinum, but was nowhere near the hit the band had hoped for.  Still, there are some great rockin’ tracks here including another Slade remake, “Mama, Weer All Crazee Now.”  Another Dubrow classic “Party All Night” is a great song that should have been given more attention by FM radio.  “Winners Take All” and “Sign of the Times” were also notable tunes that didn’t get enough of a chance.

Rock Candy did it right by re-releasing both albums, as they represent an era for Quiet Riot that is very special.  These guys were true rock and roll maniacs who helped usher in the entire Sunset Strip Heavy Metal explosion that would occur later in the decade.  The label also included interviews with the band in their updated liner notes.

QR does not get enough credit for all they did for the music of the 1980’s. A few listens to these albums will remind one just how important they were. 

By Jeb Wright