STRANGER - Rock Solid

Way-kool studio disc by this outstanding, hard-rockin', blues-based, killer heavy guitar band from Florida. Includes 20 tracks of straight-up, ball-bustin', whiskey-soaked, old-school, southern-fried, ass-kickin', six-string heavy riffage that features the outstanding guitar talents of Ronnie Garvin and the powerful bad-ass rock vox of Greg Billings. If you dig classic, retro-70s, Guitar Rock that delivers the riffage that matters, do yourself a favor and make sure to tune into the STRANGER: "Rock Solid" disc @ all costs.

::T R A C K S::

1. SWAMP WOMAN
2. COMIN' TO GET YOU
3. DIRTY & MEAN
4. READY TO FIGHT
5. SHAKE DOWN
6. GET ON UP (sample clip)
7. ROCK N' ROLL YOU BABY (sample clip)
8. OKEECHOBIE WHISKEY (sample clip)
9. (THIS TIME) GONNA LOVE YOU BABY (sample clip)
10. LET ME ROCK N' ROLL
11. ALLIGATOR JOE (sample clip)
12. MAMA MAMA
13. GIMME THE ROCK
14. GIRL THAT BAD (SHOULD NEVER LOOK SO GOOD)
15. I'M THE MAN YOU'RE LOOKING FOR
16. NEVER LOOK BACK
17. POKE SALAD
18. DEDICATION TO STEVIE RAY (sample clip)
*BONUS TRACKS*
19. FACE TO FACE (LIVE)
20. SWAMP WOMAN (LIVE)

Yes, this is the same legendary four-piece from Tampa, Florida that gave us a stunning major-label debut back in 1982. That disc showcased the band's southern roots in the riff-monster "Swamp Woman" and opening cut "Jackie's So Bad" which was actually covered by a young Tesla. As consummate road dogs, Stranger gained a fanatical following throughout Florida and earned the respect of Pat Travers, Molly Hatchet and the Outlaws while competing for the same crowds. They rose to success as a smokin' club act, and opened for international headliners UFO, Triumph and Ted Nugent, to name a few. Eventually they attracted the attention of Peavey Electronics who heavily endorsed the band. Sadly they fell victim to record company politics, fickle executives and New Wave pop radio.. and were dropped before releasing their second platter, No Rules (1989). Lack of major label support didn't faze them as they successfully released a series of self-distributed LP/EP releases on their own Thunderbay label. Rock Solid is a compelling compilation resurrecting the band's greatest moments and making a fitting tribute to the band's legendary guitarist Ronnie Garvin who passed in 1996.
Stranger consisted of vocalist Greg Billings, guitarist Ronnie Garvin, bassist Tom (King) Cardenas and drummer John Price with Randy Holt joining on keyboards and second guitar from 1989-1992. Together they melded blues, metal, funk, pop and bluegrass with a Van Halen-like delivery. Rock Solid polishes up classics from their debut including the afore mentioned "Swamp Woman", the riff-heavy "Comin' To Get You" (complete with a tasty bit of Uriah Heep-like keys) and the Dokken-ish "Dirty & Mean". Garvin was a huge fan of Ronnie Montrose, EVH and UFO's Paul "Tonka" Chapman with chops that showcase his diversity and technique as a player. Of the disc's 20 tracks, the first seven come from their '82 debut, three from No More Dirty Deals (1991), three more from No Rules (1989) and four off Angry Dogs (1993). It's hard to pick highlights when all are cherry picked favorites but a couple include "Okeechobie Whiskey" with a pounding bass/drum swagger and the metallic "Mama Mama" where even the keys can't water down the sizzling guitar. Though "Dedication to Stevie Ray" (Vaughan) was written just a few months after the Texas guitarist passed, it's feeling still packs as much emotion today. Stick around for the two live cuts "Face To Face" and "Swamp Woman" to see just how good these guys were as a live band. Amazing!

Todd K. Smith (The Cutting Edge) (March 2011)
www.cuttingedgerocks.com