Jon Bon Jovi's proteges, Cinderella is a hair band from Philadelphia that debuted in 1985 with the album "Night Songs," which was taken very well by the general public, mostly because of the right timing. It was followed by other solid releases, "Long Cold Winter," "Heartbreak Station," and "Still Climbing," which were progressively getting more and more bluesy. They haven't recorded a new a never really recorded another album, although they still frequently tour and release live albums. Cinderella has a notable band leader, Tom Keifer (vocals, guitar, all songs), whose high pitched voice you either love or hate with a passion.
NIGHT SONGS (1986)
RATING: ****
BEST SONGS: "Nothing For Nothing," "Once Around The Ride," "Somebody Save Me"
Along with Shout At The Devil from the Crue, this
is my favorite glam metal album. Very energetic, rocking, and filled
with good quality metal riffs. Contains several famous Cinderella's
hits: fast and cheesy "Shake Me" and a power ballad "Nobody's Fool"
(very Scorpions-like). Other noticeable tunes are "Hell On Wheels,"
"Once Around The Ride" (both titles speak for themselves), and "Back
Home Again." My favorite tracks, however, are "Nothing For Nothing"
and "Somebody Save Me." Both are somewhat depressing and are
absolutely not glam, but good solid heavy metal. "Nothing For
Nothing," with Bon Jovi on background vocals, is apparently about a
drug user: it has killer verses and a pre-chorus ("... you're so
blind -- you got NOTHING!"). "Somebody Save Me" actually caused
me to get this album in the first place, after I saw the video for
it on "Beavis And Butthead," who, naturally, hated it ("All those
years of hard work and practicing in the garage has finally paid
off, when you see the look on those people's faces!"). I didn't like
the video either -- it's too simplistic and has nothing to do
with the song's content -- but loved the main riff. To me, it's
one of the best mid-tempo rockers of the 80s, and I love the lyrics
too, and it was my favorite song to sing during the mid-terms in
1997 (towards the finals I switch to Skyclad, with its mega-depression). Even though at times the
album sounds too pop, I still like it.
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