KICKED AND KLAWED

Digitally remastered reissue of the 1989 debut album by this sorely overlooked Hard Rock band. Based in Los Angeles and nudging shoulders with every Sunset Strip wannabe (including Quiet Riot, Rough Cutt, Motley Crue, and Dokken) CIB found a new path forward by developing a huge following in Japan that quickly manifested into a series of major record companies falling over themselves to get the band to sign on the dotted line. With their eyes firmly on the prize it was EMI who won the day, lining their pockets with ready cash and a promise to make them stars. Put in the studio with AC/DC engineer Mark Opitz, the band crafted one of the eras best, if ultimately overlooked, slices of prime time Hollywood sleaze grating hard rock. The hooks were huge. The guitars cut and thrust. The production sounded like a million dollars and front man Joel Ellis screamed and preened like he had been born to boogie. Rock Candy. 2009.