Vain – No Respect (Release Year – 1989)
Way back in 1989, I picked up a copy of Vain’s debut, No Respect on cassette. I recollect not caring for this release very much back then. This was one of the many tapes that was stolen out of my car back in the 80′s, and I never replaced it. The recent announcement of VAIN on the bill at Rocklahoma, had me scurrying to find a new copy of No Respect. This disc was out of print for a while, but it was reissued by Gott Discs in 2004.
I hoped my opinion would change the second time around for this disc, and you know what, it has! No Respect is a lot better than I remember it to be.
Davy Vain‘s vocal style is kind of like a whiny Phil Lewis, but it grows on you, and is different enough to give this disc some appeal. There is no question, that VAIN rooted themselves in the Glam Metal scene. One look at their picture (below) and you can easily tell what era of rock they came from. The cool thing about VAIN, is they really don’t sound much like peers from the hair metal era.
The music is a lot more raw, and less pop than many of the bands of the late 80′s and early 90′s. I would guess that Danny West is influenced by Joe Satriani based on some of his guitar licks on this album. (Listen to his playing in the video Beat the Bullet and you will see what I mean.) The guitar work on this record is quite good, and I have found the songs to be much more to my liking in 2008.
Thanks to Rocklahoma, I am happy to have added this disc back to my collection. I am going to be playing this CD a lot in the coming weeks. If you haven’t ever listened to VAIN before, be sure to check out the videos below. You may find yourself wanting to add this highly under rated disc to your own collection.
For more information on the band check out, their myspace page.
Rating:
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Secrets
2. Beat the Bullet
3. Who’s Watching You 
4. 1000 Degrees
5. Aces
6. Smoke And Shadows
7. No Respect
8. Laws Against Love
9. Down For the 3rd Time
10. Icy
11. Without You
12. Ready
Vain is:
Davy Vain – Vocals
James Scott – Guitar
Danny West – Guitar
Tom Rickard – Drums
Ashley Mitchell – Bass
Vain is one the three groups I like their complete discography song by song, and now Vain comes 6 years after their “On the line” album with “Enough rope” which is a combination of all the previous titles they put out…… great album doesn’t start to describe it , I can’t believe it’s been 22 years since their debut but it seems like they just released “No respect 2 ” .
an awesome cd
yeah davy had a unique sound back then and he still delivers. if u guys liked no respect, see if you can find their 2nd offering: all those strangers. its really good too.
This is an awesome disc!
Laws Against Love is our fav tune….
One of the better albums to come out of the American “hair rock” thing imho. I enjoyed this a lot on release – saw them live supporting Skid Row in Liverpool too – but have to admit I havn’t listened to the album for years! Must dig it out again soon.