It was at this point that American rockers Axe decided to try a few new things. Firstly, a harder-edged direction, a slight contrast from their two MCA recordings from 1979 and 1980. And secondly, a new label to help them through this transition.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Axe
ALBUM: Offering
LABEL: Atco
SERIAL: SD 38-148
YEAR: 1982
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Bobby Barth – vocals, guitars * Michael Osborne – guitars, vocals * Wayne Haner – bass * Edgar Riley Jnr – keyboards, vocals * Ted Mueller – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Rock ‘n’ Roll Party In The Streets * 02 Video Inspiration * 03 Steal Another Fantasy * 04 Jennifer * 05 I Got The Fire * 06 Burn The City Down * 07 Now Or Never * 08 Holdin’ On * 09 Silent Soldiers * 10 Holdin’ On (Live) * 11 Running The Gauntlet (Live) * 12 Steal Another Fantasy (Live) * 13 Now Or Never (Alt Version)
WEBLINKS: FB Page
Background
It was at this point that American rockers Axe decided to try a few new things. Firstly, a harder-edged direction, a slight contrast from their two MCA recordings from 1979 and 1980. And secondly, a new label to help them through this transition.
Though the music is still melodic rock primed for 80’s AOR format radio, there’s a bit more sting in the tail. ‘Less pomp and more guitar’ as an old review of ‘Offering’ mentioned back in 1982.
The Songs
Two standout tracks on Side One include the opener ‘Rock n Roll Party In The Streets’, which made some inroads into the US charts at the time, plus the rather epic sounding ‘Steal Another Fantasy’.
Axe add more pomp to the smooth melodic rock of ‘Jennifer, and though the rendition of Montrose‘s ‘I Got The Fire’ is a barn stormer, to be honest, the version on Ronnie ‘Raygun’ Montrose’s ‘Paper Money’ album is still ‘da bomb’!
The guitars still get high priority on tracks like ‘Burn The City Down’ and the fiery ‘Holdin’ On’, while ‘Now Or Never’ has the brakes applied with some radio oriented appeal.
The album ends with another near epic, the 6 minute ‘Silent Soldiers’, a tale of fighting the battle on the streets, to what set of circumstances it applies to I’m not sure. I’ll take a punt, gangs.
In Summary
Fans of the band will have their albums stashed away in the collection for sure. All of their stuff is worth having a cursory listen to. Particularly from the 1979 to 1983 era. Not all of it is essential, but most of it is in the VG+ category. After a few years away, Axe recommenced for business in the mid 90’s with the ‘Five (V)’ album.
Check out their Discogs link above, or our further GDM reviews by clicking on the Axe tag (see below).
Axe on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
