Trixter (MCA) 1990
1. Line Of Fire (4:39)
2. Heart Of Steel (4:11)
3. One In A Million (5:06)
4. Surrender (5:51)
5. Give It To Me Good (3:30)
6. Only Young Once (5:42)
7. Bad Girl (4:25)
8. Always A Victim (4:13)
9. Play Rough (4:13)
10. You'll Never See Me Cryin' (5:01)
11. Ride The Whip (5:08)
12. On And On (5:04)
Though New Jersey's Trixter were formed in the early 80's, they were one of the 'hair metal' bands that came along a little late in the game. Despite a solid local fan base and having opened for many big names in the mid-80's, it wasn't until 1989 that the band inked a deal with a record label. Their self-titled album was released on MCA Records in 1990. Trixter's debut sold well on the strength of three singles, "Give It to Me Good", "Surrender", and "One in a Million" and eventually gave the band a gold record.
Musically, Trixter play melodic hard rock with big hooks. Basically their sound is text book 80's "hair metal"; power chords, big hooks, sing-along choruses, some blues influences and proficient guitar solos. The recording is pretty typical of the late 80's as well, with production being ultra-clean and robbing the band of what could have been a heavier record. Regardless of the recording quality, the tunes are catchy as the flu. Songs like "Line of Fire", "One in A Million" and the slightly Southern-fried "Give It To Me Good" are all foot-stomping, sing-along hard rockers. Anyone who listened to Z-Rock back in the early 90's will remember "Line of Fire" and "On In A Million". Both songs were in regular rotation on that syndicated station in the early 90's. "Ride the Whip" has a slight Van Halen vibe with vocalist Pete Loran even throwing in the occasional David Lee Roth high-pitched squeal. As is the case with most bands of this ilk, there is also the sappy radio ballads. In the case of Trixter there are two, "Surrender" and "On and On". Both songs are over five minutes long, which is a bit long for the typical 80's power ballad. Frankly, one would have been enough. My distaste for sappy ballads aside, Trixter's debut is a like-able hard rock album. (Thanks Vexer6)