Signed to the small Heavy Metal USA label, Sabu’s ‘Heartbreak’ album probably skipped many people by, but looking back on it now, and hearing it again in its full glory, it certainly looks and sounds like the quintessential AOR album.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Sabu
ALBUM: Heartbreak
LABEL: Heavy Metal America
SERIAL: HMUSA 36
YEAR: 1985
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Paul Sabu – vocals, guitars * Dan Ellis – keyboards, vocals * Rick Bozzo – bass, vocals * Charles J Esposito – drums, vocals
TRACK LISTING: 01 Angeline * 02 Call Of The Wild * 03 Shake Rattle Roll * 04 Just For The Moment * 05 Hot Flash * 06 Heartbreak * 07 Tuff Stuff * 08 Still Alive * 09 Breakin’ Out * 10 New Girl In Town * 11 Countdown To Love * 12 Maybe A Lifetime * 13 Dogs In The Night
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
A big favourite among the readers here is L.A melodic rock god Paul Sabu. Having progressed beyond his disco tendencies in the late 70’s, Sabu produced a smattering of records that gave all AOR and melodic rock fans something to cheer about. After 1980’s terrific self titled affair, and 1984’s Kidd Glove release, Paul went back to basics.
Not content with some of the production jobs performed on his records, Sabu undertook the job himself for 1985’s ‘Heartbreak’, and a damn fine effort it is too. Signed to the small Heavy Metal USA label, Sabu’s ‘Heartbreak’ album probably skipped many people by, but looking back on it now, and hearing it again in its full glory, it certainly looks and sounds like the quintessential AOR album.
The Songs
The melding of Sabu’s melodic but powerful guitar lines and Dan Ellis’ synth layers is a combination worthy of mention. The two of them weave magic all the way through, but notwithstanding, the back-end of Bozzo and Esposito keep the Sabu engine ticking away.
‘Angeline’ commences in true anthemic fashion. Picture it now, some gorgeous looking chick undulating her hips all over MTV writhing in sync to this song. Haha! Track two ‘Call Of The Wild’ is immense AOR, probably the pick of the album. Dense reverb-laden guitar combined with spiky keyboard runs, and of course, a killer chorus, something Sabu is famous for.
Those familiar Sabu riffs appear on ‘Shake Rattle Roll’, a fast-paced track that appears to be on a relentless mission. Not so ‘Just For The Moment’, which eases back slightly allowing Sabu’s vocals to shine. Both ‘Hot Flash’ and the title track ‘Heartbreak’ are similarly paced and structured, but it’s not until ‘Still Alive’ that the we return to thick guitar layers and big keyboards.
‘Breakin’ Out’ is the closest thing to a ballad on the album, but it’s still quite a hard rockin’ affair nonetheless. ‘Tuff Stuff is typically anthemic, while ‘New Girl In Town’ features a riff heard a few years later on the track ‘Scream Until You Like It’, performed by W.A.S.P and Sabu’s own Only Child.
In Summary
By this stage in his career, Los Angeles was in a musical blur, as many hair-metal outfits strutted their stuff. Sabu though was heavily involved with his own projects, plus his production talents were in demand elsewhere. He had a direct hand with some of L.A’s best acts (Silent Rage and Alexa being two of these) and has credits on many projects, enough to make him a very wealthy individual one would suggest.
Many years later in Feb 2006, ‘Heartbreak’ was reissued by German label on their MTM-Classix series, with three bonus tracks. A prime contender I reckon. Well done to all involved.
Video
Angeline
Heartbreak
