Kik Tracee: No Rules / Field Trip on 2 CDs

2 CDs remastered included 2 bonus live tracks unreleased on CD / full booklet with pics and lyrics - Kik Tracee formed in 1988 in Los Angeles, CA, USA with Stephen Shareaux (vocals), Michael Marquis (guitar), Gregory Hex (guitar), Rob Grad (bass) and Johnny Dougas (drums). Unfortunately they rode in at the tail end of the "hair" metal movement, and didn't stand a chance with the invasion of alternative and grunge.

The debut was produced by Dana Strum of Slaughter fame who called the band a cross between Living Colour, The Cult and Guns N' Roses. Others argue that the band's complexity and depth placed them on a higher level than the average band in Los Angeles.

"No Rules" is a great commercial, melodic metal release with quality, hook-laden song writing. As stated before it was produced by Dana Strum, so there is obviously some of Slaughter's influence on this disc, however, Kik Tracee have a slightly dirtier sound like Faster Pussycat, Britny Fox or L. A. Guns.

Unfortunately, despite releasing such a strong album and creating an MTV buzz, Kik Tracee were soon a victim to the depressing grunge scene of the mid-90's, when heavy metal, hair spray and talent became passé. There is an incredible amount of depth to this recording. Coming at a time when so many bands were doing their best to sound exactly like Warrant or Poison or Bon Jovi, an No Rules really stands out.

Sure, it follows a basic hair metal blueprint, and vocalist Stephen Shareaux seems to be doing his best to sound like Axl Rose, but these songs have a lot more character than you might think. Shareaux is like a force of nature, and he brought a unique energy that helped define the band's sound. Overall it's just a fun, quirky rock album that you can't help but enjoy. I believe if they would have formed just a year or two sooner, they would have made it big. We find a feverish cover of Simon & Garfunkel, Mrs Robinson, and two bonus titles. One was released on the Japanese version (Gentle Persuasion) and the other on cassette, In Trance (live). We would have liked to add Velvet Crush (live) but this other promo cassette is a very rare commodity to buy.

"Field Trip" was an impressive album for an EP. Chris Goss (Kyuss, Queen of The Stone Age, Masters of Reality_) is the producer and does additional arrangements too. Kik Tracee steps it up a notch from their debut in the songwriting department. This 34-minute, six song EP has everything from heavy metal to funk, and even some endearing acoustic moments. This EP was recorded in Los Angeles at the same time as the L. A. riots. According to the liner notes, this really scared the crap out of the band. "These songs were recorded with the intention of taking you to another place - hopefully a better place, so sit back, relax, and enjoy the field trip.". We had Talk & Trip as a bonus, a conversation and Song Snippets. Kik Tracee never got the recognition they deserve.