Description

AUTOGRAPH: That the stuff …… Indeed it is! Autograph were formed in Los Angeles, California, USA, in by vocalist Steve Plunkett and bassist Randy Rand. With the addition of Steve Lynch (guitar), Steven Isham (keyboards) and Keni Richards (drums), the band signed to RCA Records the following year. Comprising five exceptionally talented musicians, they delivered a strong combination of sophisticated and melodic AOR that had enormous pop-metal crossover potential. Isham later formed new project with ex- Dio guitarist Craig Goldie and Richards joined Dirty White Boy.

Track Listing:
1. “”That’s the Stuff“” 4:24
2. “”Take No Prisoners”” 3:56
3. “”Blondes In Black Cars“” 4:16
4. “”You’ll Get Over It”” 3:27
5. “”Crazy World”” 4:38
6. “”Six String Fever”” 4:34
7. “”Changing Hands”” 4:49
8. “”Hammerhead”” 1:37
9. “”Built For Speed”” 3:37
10. “”Paint This Town”” 4:51

Blondes In Black Cars

Autograph – That’s The Stuff

AUTOGRAPH’s debut album Sign In Please contained a surprise hit single, the infectious ‘Turn Up The Radio’, whilst a sell out tour supporting Van Halen elevated them into the upper echelons of the Eighties hard rock elite.
Things were looking more than good. However, when a Stateside tour supporting Motley Crue was secured, RCA, their record label, hit the panic button, insisting that in order to keep momentum rocketing the band should get back into the studio and cut a follow up album as quickly as humanly possible.

It was inevitable that things began to slide; a rushed choice of producer, a lack of pre-production time and a touring deadline that was looming ever closer. Amazingly, when the album was released its cover had to be changed due to bungled copyright issues.
“That’s The Stuff”, despite all the pressures baring down on them, was hailed as another solid slice of prime-time American melodic hard rock, big on hooks and crammed with some of the best guitar playing that Steve Lynch ever recorded.

Opening with the the title cut filled with the same happy smiling in your face rock and roll as the debut album and take no prisoners attitude, has the echo kind of backing vocals that made Dokken and Ratt famous.
‘Blonde’s In Black Cars’ was the hit off this one, it’s actually quite good, sure it didn’t go as far as ‘Turn Up The Radio’ but that kind of song is really once in a lifetime. ‘You’ll Get Over It’ is a beautiful love song (mid-tempo, not really a ballad), ‘Crazy World’ is fun and rocking, in the Night Ranger vein.

The stand out track on this album is ‘Changing Hands’ a beautiful ballad that should have been released as a single, sounds very much like Def Leppard from the Hysteria period. ‘Hammerhead’ shows that is among the best, while ‘Built For Speed’ and ‘Paint This Town’ are cool melodic hard rockers with nice hooks.

“That’s The Stuff” is another solid album from Autograph, plenty of hooky rockers and a feel-good vibe.
Highly Recommended.

Steve Plunkett – Vocals and rhythm guitar
Steve Lynch – Guitars
Randy Rand – Bass and backing vocals
Steven Isham – Keyboards and backing vocals
Keni Richards – Drums