Side one marches in to A.J. Pero’s drums on “The Kids Are Back”; as a single it went to number 32 in the UK and number 17 in Ireland. This high energy anthem played during the opening credits of the 2010 film Jackass 3-D.
“Like a Knife in the Back” is next. I like the way the lyrics turn the phrases in these social situations.
“Ride to Live, Live to Ride” presents a thundering life mantra - that we have to seize opportunities and make the most of them.
The self-affirming single for “I Am (I’m Me)” went to number 25 in Ireland and number 18 in the UK.
On “The Power and the Glory”, the band brings some religion to the mix with this rocker about seeing divine light and turning life around.
Side two opens with “We’re Gonna Make It”, a light at the end of a long, difficult tunnel. I like the guitar riffs that Eddie “Fingers” Ojeda and Jay Jay French throw down on this one.
“I’ve Had Enough” is all about a guy who can no longer take the attitude that his gal is giving him.
“I’ll Take You Alive” is a rapid-fire, all-out assault on love.
Things slow down with the big ballad “You’re Not Alone (Suzette’s Song)”. The song shows Dee Snider’s complete dedication to his wife whom he married on October 21st of 1981 (and whom he is still married to this day).
The defiant title track “You Can’t Stop Rock ‘n’ Roll” closes the album. As a single release, it went to number 43 in the UK and number 25 in New Zealand.
For me as far as Twisted Sister albums go, Under the Blade ranks below their debut. It is not a bad album; I found merit and entertainment in each of the tracks. I just think there was a bit of safeness to this one - sticking with what worked previously with little expansion. I do appreciate Snider’s intelligent strength to present positive lyrical messages. Clearly the PMRC was misreading their music in the mid-80’s.
For more Twisted Sister reviews, check out the below links:
- For 1982’s Under the Blade, click here.
- For some holiday cheer from 2006 from A Twisted Christmas, click here.
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