Quiet Riot and Ozzy Osbourne are linked in the most interesting way. It's more than them both being famous 80's metal bands, though. Both bands were once both home to one of the youngest most talented guitarists to ever play the instrument and left this Earth too soon: Randy Rhoads. Before Rhoads was writing hits with Ozzy like Crazy Train, Over the Mountain, Mr Crowley, Flying High Again, etc. he was in Quiet Riot. However, this was before Quiet Riot had made it huge with tunes like Come on Feel the Noize and Metal Health (Bang Your Head). Before joining Ozzy, Randy put out two albums with the band: Quiet Riot and Quiet Riot II.
The first album Quiet Riot came out in 1977. You can tell it's Rhoads tearing it up on the guitar, but it isn't quite the heavy neo-classical riffs and solos that he became known for with Ozzy. If anything, a significant portion of the songs are reminiscent of Kiss with sprinkles of Judas Priest; which isn't surprising considering how huge Kiss was and how Judas Priest was on the way up at that point. The songs are definitely more pop oriented than the kind of metal the band would later become famous for in the early 80's after Rhaods's departure and unfortunate passing.
Get Your Kicks definitely has the Kiss vibe, though also a bit of Bad Company and Aerosmith. It's a fun upbeat tune that starts off with a drum cadence that sounds very traditional military. However, it's not too long before you realize that it's rock n' roll. I absolutely LOVE the solo. Rhoads throws in bits of the melodies of the American national anthem and Yankee Doodle Dandy while throwing in some of his own licks. The lyrics are pretty basic. It's about praising rock n' roll. However, some times that is more than ok. I feel in this case it applies.
Tin Soldier has a bit more of Quiet Riot's Judas Priest influence. The chugging guitar riffs and vocal melodies make that pretty apparent. I particularly like the intro which makes it sound like you're listening to funky space music. It's almost Hendrix-ish in a way. The chorus screams Kiss, though. It has that anthemic loud proud vibe where they sing about love and all that fun jazz that often gets sung about in pop. Nonetheless, it's a lot of fun despite hearing all those influences.
Randy Rhoads definitely went on to do more groundbreaking and original material with Ozzy Osbourne, but Quiet Riot is a fun way to hear his 70's roots. Quiet Riot of course would do some better stuff as well. If you're a fan of the big 70's rock bands though, this album is right up your alley. Unfortunately it and Quiet Riot II are both difficult to come by because they were only released in Japan for whatever reason. However, the songs are floating around on YouTube (in proper playlists fortunately) so you can still hear them. I would really recommend it because they are fun, loud, and rocking. Plus, it's always nice to dig up little time capsules like this, isn't it?
Quiet Riot, by Quiet Riot receives 3 out 5 stars.
Track List:
1. It's Not So Funny
2. Mama's Little Angel
3. Tin Soldier
4. Ravers
5. Back to the Coast
6. Glad All Over
7. Get Your Kicks
8. Look in Any Window
9. How You Want It
10. Riot Reunion
11. Fit to Be Tied
12. Demolition Derby
Listen to the album on YouTube (album was too rare to find on Amazon)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzECHL5w1zQ&list=PLATWmAv-ZjJ1FLmiHezgRwSRRGarukzdf
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