VOYEUR – Spank Or Be Spanked

If you can get past horrible cover art, then you might just like Voyeur Spank Or Be Spanked. Another release from nostalgia label SunCity; Voyeur sound like a cross between Tesla, Bon Jovi, and Babylon A.D.

Legends in the early 90s San Francisco Metal scene, Voyeur are now nothing more than a memory. Still, Spank Or Be Spanked stands up remarkably well, thanks in no small part to the vocal powers of Darren Richards.

Spank Or Be Spanked opens with “Cast The First Stone.” SunCity is using this song as a “single” to promote this obscure Glam band. The album picks up considerable speed with “Sometimes I’m Invisible,” “Memory Lane,” and “None For Me Know.” Unfortunately, the acoustic power ballad “Long Way From Home” kills the momentum. In all actuality, “Long Way From Home” is probably one of the strongest tracks on Spank Or Be Spanked, but better planning would place the song toward the end of the effort instead of the crucial mid-point.

Immediately after “Long Way From Home” is the upbeat, hard-edged “Wayward Bound.” Complete with double-tracked harmonies and pick scrapes, this song oozes Glam appeal. Here, the guitar work is impressive, featuring just the right amount of tremolo and other effects to keep the song interesting without actually taking away from the lyrics. The layered production is also good, considering the song was recorded more than a decade ago.

While the production on Spank Or Be Spanked isn’t great, it’s also not horrible. SunCity typically remasters obscure releases from either promotional vinyl or cassette pressings. This means the sound isn’t as pure as a modern release, and you also can’t get the volume quite as loud through your car stereo. Still, when the bass is pumping, Spank Or Be Spanked is at its best. “Mindgame” has some good bass parts as does “It Ain’t Love.”

Spank Or Be Spanked closes with “Strutter.” The song is decent, but the production is a little hollow and this track sounds like it was recorded in a basement instead of a studio. Still, the dueling guitar solos by Steve Roney and John Reed are excellent examples of what humans can do with an axe in hand. Overall, Spank Or Be Spanked is a fun album that creates an immediate party atmosphere.

Voyeur are

Darren Richards – vocals
Steve Roney – guitar
John Reed – guitar
Don Rankin – bass
Steve Fletcher – drums
Dave Hechin – drums