Rio de Janeiro is hardly what I would consider the hotbed for rock ‘n’ roll, but the guys in Pleasure Maker are determined to change that – and make a valiant effort with Love On The Rocks. Oddly enough the group evolved out of a Bon Jovi cover band, yet to me doesn’t sound like the those multi-platinum superstars at all. To these ears Pleasure Maker has the musicianship of Heavens Edge and Thunder combined with the vocal styling of Tora Tora and (umm…) Thunder – a damn good mixture.
Upon first viewing the album artwork I was expecting some lame lounge act, not a well rounded melodic rock outfit. But I soon came to the conclusion that alcohol and a bed do in fact make for ‘pleasure’ and I assume a scantily clad woman isn’t far away (or else the call-girl hasn’t arrived yet). Then I started playing this disc and realized there is nothing lame about Pleasure Maker at all. Melodic rock is the type of music that when done well makes for a great listen and when done poorly comes across as overproduced and heartless – Pleasure Maker falls into the first category.
I was always a huge fan of Tora Tora, so hearing someone resemble Anthony Corder is a refreshing change for me. Right from the opening track, through the early Tangier sounds of “Just Thinkin’ Of You”, the powerful ballad “Stay With Me”, to the last note of “Face To Face” this is a great album. I only have two minor complaints; 1. The funk bass during the solos of “Out Of Control” and “Pleasure Maker”, but these songs are good enough to withstand that, and 2. “Neon Stars”. I can tell Alex Meister is a guitar shredder, but I can’t stand wank-o-ramas like that of “Neon Stars”. It comes across as showing off (let’s leave that for Yngwie Malmsteen), but the positive is that it is only a minute long and leads into the best song on the album, “Give It All”.
1.Fast N’ Wild
2.Out of Control
3.Just Thinkin’ About You
4.Hard 2 Say Goodbye
5.Bad Reputation
6.Pleasure Maker
7.Know How
8.Stay With Me
9.Only a Dream
10.Neon Stars
11.Give It All
12.Open Your Eyes
13.Face 2 Face (Keep the Fire Burning)
C. Marshall vocals
Alex Meister guitars, backing vocals, producer
Mark Sant’Anna bass
Adriano Morais drums, backing vocals
Sidney Sohn keyboards
Mauricio Cruz keyboards, backing vocals