As requested, here’s a rarity, and a very good one: American hard rockers RAGS and their sole album, 1988’s “Tear ‘Em Up“. Rags featured terrific guitarist Tracy G, later in DIO during the Nineties, but also WWIII, Swift Kick, Blue Dahlia (with Paul Shortino) and many others.
RAGS was an awesome American hard rock band with excellent musicians including fantastic singer Joe Richardson (a tone similar to Lion / Bad Moon Rising’s Kal Swan), and not only great players, but kick ass songwriters as well. While ”Tear ‘Em Up” only was released on cassette via a small indie label, production is very good, sharp-razor, vibrant. Of course, Tracy G rips some impressive solos, but please pay attention to his monster rhythm guitar too.
There’s a cassette-rip floating the internet and traded among collectors, but we have here the rare – and only – CD reissue from 2003 done by Tracy G himself, limited to 100 units. The track listing has been re-arranged and works much better.
Sound quality is wonderful, fuller, and the music a must for American hard rock / metal fans from the late ’80s.
A little gem indeed.
01 – Run For Your Life
02 – Ladies On The Loose
03 – Like Never Before
04 – Listen
05 – Caught In The Act
06 – All Fall Down
07 – The Light
08 – Fantasy Love
09 – Lil S.O.B.
10 – Fight For Freedom
Joe Richardson – Vocals
Tracy G – Guitar
Tom McKee – Bass
Tom Comfort – Drums