Loud and Clear | Hard Rock Hideout

Where oh where has the band Autograph disappeared to? With all of the reunited eighties bands playing in the various festivals, it surprises me that the band Autograph hasn’t done some one-off shows. I never got to see them play live, and would love to see them in some shape or form today. One of the Autograph’s albums that I have very fond memories of is Loud and Clear. This album was released the year I graduated high school (yes, I am showing my age) and I recall wearing the cassette tape out in my car of this more than once. For whatever reason, I never got around to replacing it on CD in my collection until now. I found the 2006 reissue from Rock Candy Records, and felt like I was reunited with an old friend.

Loud and Clear features some of the best guitar playing that Steve Lynch has ever dished out. I still wonder why Lynch hasn’t resurfaced in another band over the years. He is another under rated guitarist that deserves to be in the spotlight again.

As far as the songs on Loud and Clear go, if you are a hair metal fan, you are going to love them. I have always enjoyed Steve Plunkett as a vocalist, and while he doesn’t do anything new on this CD, he does a fine job at delivering some catchy tunes that will get your party started.

After listening to Loud and Clear for the first time in years, I must admit that some of the music on this CD does sound a little dated. The drum beats are kind of generic, and are pretty much the same on every song, and the keyboards scream 80’s. Aside from that, this is still a pretty fun disc. Some of the songs on this CD, are easily the best of Autograph’s career. Why this CD didn’t take the band to the next level, no one will ever know. “Dance All Night” should have made the same impact as “Turn Up The Radio” but it just wasn’t to be. “Loud and Clear”, “She Never Looked That Good For Me”, and “She’s A Tease” are also amongst my favorites from Autograph. If you are a hair metal fan, you need to track this down, you won’t be disappointed.

Rating: Out of 10

Check out the cameos of Vince Neil & Ozzy Osbourne in the video below!

Track Listing:

1. Loud and Clear
2. Dance All Night
3. She Never Looked That Good for Me
4. Bad Boy
5. Everytime I Dream
6. She’s a Tease
7. Just Got Back from Heaven
8. Down ‘N Dirty
9. More Than a Million Times
10. When the Sun Goes Down

Autograph is:
Steve Plunkett – Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
Steve Lynch – Lead Guitar
Randy Rand – Bass, backing vocals
Steven Isham – Keyboards, backing vocals
Keni Richards – Drums

Tag: Loud and Clear

2 Autograph – Loud and Clear (1987)

3 Check out the Band Lineup for Firefest V