Denmark’s Pretty Maids joined the big time with their third release ‘Future World’ back in 1987.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Pretty Maids
ALBUM: Future World
LABEL: Epic
SERIAL: 450281 2
YEAR: 1987
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Denmark
LINEUP: Ronnie Atkins – vocals * Ken Hammer – guitars * Allan Delong – bass * Alan Owen – keyboards * Phil Moorhead – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Future World * 02 Loud ‘n’ Proud * 03 Love Games * 04 Yellow Rain * 05 Rodeo * 06 We Came To Rock * 07 Needles In The Dark * 08 Eye Of The Storm * 09 Long Way To Go
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
Denmark’s Pretty Maids joined the big time with their third release ‘Future World’ back in 1987. Now signed to a bigger label Epic, the band now had the marketing clout behind them to push into the big leagues during the legendary ‘hair metal’ era.
Winding the clock back a few years to their ‘Red Hot And Heavy’ era, Pretty Maids have left behind their earlier sense of manic HM to become a classier outfit with finesse and refinement.
They have introduced elements of bands that have been successful through this timeframe, Europe being the most noticeable, though they still retain some of the older elements, such as Accept just to ensure heaviness prevails throughout.
The Songs
The songs are divided into two camps: full frontal rockers and a handful of ballads. The production from Eddie Kramer lifts things to a higher level, and is less heavy handed than their previous two efforts.
Hard rock anthems such as ‘Future World’ and ‘Loud And Proud’ and the very Europe sounding AOR of ‘Love Games’ are signature Pretty Maids tunes. They also dip into commercial material with surprisingly good results.
The very Glory sounding ‘Rodeo’ is one that stands out, as do the pairing of ‘We Came To Rock’ and ‘Long Way To Go’.
Sliding further down the metronometer are the two amazing ballads ‘Yellow Rain’ (a song about the chemical fallout of war) and ‘Eye Of The Storm’, which is one of the classiest tunes Pretty Maids have ever released.
In Summary
During this timeframe, Pretty Maids were all over the written media, a couple of videos were released to support the album (see below), the band receiving kudos nearly everywhere they went.
This was their first domestic release into the large US market, but didn’t have the same impact in that marketplace as fellow European rockers The Scorpions did during the 1979/1980 era.
It seemed the USA was too pre-occupied with Def Leppard and Whitesnake to care. Still, nine tracks on CD that is a worthy addition to your collection. It takes pride of place in mine.
Pretty Maids on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
