March of 2013 was the very first time I decided to engage in reviewing all my favorite and new rock and metal albums for the album of the week. As of this point in the game, I have reviewed 259 albums and for some strange reason I have never covered one of my all time favorite debut records from a band from Philly. Aerosmith may have won the MusicBowl which for the first time I ran exclusively on Twitter, the Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl and I want to cover an album from Cinderella. The band was made up of Tom Keifer (Lead Vocals/Guitar), Jeff LaBar (Guitar), Eric Brittingham (Bass), and Fred Coury (Drums, did not play on today’s album). On August 2, 1986, the band would release their debut album Night Songs after Jon Bon Jovi had discovered the band. Earlier I mentioned that Coury did not play drums on the record because that distinction belonged to former Boz Scaggs drumer Jody Cortez who was replaced before the album’s release. The album would have a ton of success as it peaked at number three on the Billboard Top 200 charts and it sold over 3 million copies go triple platinum.
1. Night Songs– One of the coolest first tracks with it’s eerie brooding wind sound with the bells as the cool guitars of Keifer and LaBar set the tone for this epic blues hard rock song that is all about the grind of being a band. 5/5
2. Shake Me– The lead single off the album that actually failed to chart, but it’s a classic rock track that is all about having a good time with some babes. It’s still a classic live track that Cinderella plays all the time so who cares 5/5
3. Nobody’s Fool– The second single off the album that actually charted for the band, it’s the classic ballad complete with some keys in it. One of my favorite tracks from the band that is all about a girl who recently left them and he’s having trouble with it. 5/5
4. Nothin’ for Nothin’– This blues rock classic about a guy who just doesn’t know when to appreciate everything he has because he just keeps taking, but when it’s all said and done, he has nothing. 5/5
5. Once Around the Ride– a no nonsense hard rock track from the band in a track that is about a guy who doesn’t wait for no one. 4.5/5
6. Hell On Wheels– A hard charging blues tinged track that is all about the band saying that they’re done waiting around cause they’re going to take over your town. 4.5/5
7. Somebody Save Me– The ultimate rock song from the band that just has so much swagger that I wish I could give it a six. It’s one of those balls to the wall track that is just monstrous with every strike of the chords. 5/5
8. In from the Outside– a blues rock track through and through and it seems to be about a guy giving a young buck some advice like before you go looking for hell, be prepared for what comes afterwards. 4.5/5
9. Push Push– A very cool track that has been a live staple for the band in a track that is all about given a little lovin, a push push. 5/5
10. Back Home Again– The last track on the album and the band decided to mix a little metal into the track which gives it a cool sound. I feel like this track could be a little autobiographical for Keifer. 4.5/5
My Final Thoughts– If you can get past the album cover then you will discover one of the best bands to ever come out of that scene. I am saying right now that while it’s unfortunate that we never got any more Cinderella albums, the evidence is right there in front of us. Every single track on this record can be played in a live setting and I almost heard every track from this live. Check it out for sure, I am giving the album 4.8 stars out of five for a final grade.
As promised we always give you two music videos of the week and this week’s is a contender. I have always loved music videos that were well thought out and well executed and Escape The Fate has always been one of those bands that has been able to do that time and time again. The band still touring right now on their fifth studio album Hate Me which was released last year has unveiled a powerful music video for their track Breaking Me Down which in of itself is an amazing track. The video whose treatment was co-written by Jacoby Shaddix of Papa Roach balances through the performance based side of the video with the story itself of a boy who is taking care of his mother who apparently has given up on life. There are a couple of things I wanted to talk about in the video and that is there is a scene where guitarist Kevin Gruft twirls the guitar around his neck like how Eric Brittingham of Cinderella used to. I am a sucker for guitar tricks. The other thing I liked in the video was the nod to Slash and his desert guitar solo moment in November Rain done in this video by Gruft again.
Singer Craig Mabbitt talked about the video saying, “We hope you enjoy this video as much as we enjoyed shooting it. It is an important message you should not only hear but listen to. Shout out to Jacoby for his contribution to this song. Thank you all for your continued love and support of our music. We will see you on the road.” Starting November 10TH, you can catch the band on the road with Nonpoint on the Hate Poison Tour with supporting acts Get Scared, Failure Anthem and Through Fire and get all the info on that 
Moshpits And Movies 