In a surprising turn of events, Jim Crean has been named the new singer for Vinnie Vincent! So it is a perfect time to review Jim Crean’s Greatest Hits.
JIM CREAN – Greatest Hits (2018 Visionary Noise)
Buffalo’s Jim Crean has four solo albums under his belt. That’s a good minimum before you release a greatest hits. There is enough material here for a solid listen, including two new songs from Crean’s forthcoming fifth album.
Several of the best tracks are hard rockers from Crean’s Insatiable. “Touch” remains a standout, a great song any rock songwriter would be envious of. Not to mention Crean’s power-pipes lay waste to the chorus. Check out the metal riffing on “Follow Your Heart”, too. These taffy-sweet tracks claw into your cranium via your ear canal. All you can do is surrender to it.
Crean’s also capable of standout ballads. “Make It” and “Can’t Find My Way” (a duet with Mike Tramp) are fantastic. Then he goes vintage Aerosmith on “She Goes Down”, a song that could have fit nicely on an album like Toys in the Attic.
There are a handful of covers on the 16 track album, and interesting choices too. “Caught in the Middle” is, of course, Dio, performed with Jimmy Bain and Vinny Appice. “Over the Edge” is early 90s L.A. Guns, an excellent groove. Crean also covered fellow Buffalo band the Goo Goo Dolls with the acoustic “Cuz You’re Gone”, one of the Goo’s finest ballads.
What about the new songs? “Scream Taker” sounds like a Ronnie Dio tribute, with the lyrics cut and pasted from Rainbow, Black Sabbath and Dio songs. “Scream Taker” indicates that Crean has gone heavier on his fifth record. The other new song, “Conflicted” has a strong traditional metal riffy vibe. (Is that Billy Sheehan on bass?) Both these new songs hint at a great album to come. Guitarist Steph Honde, who plays on both new songs says that while the new Crean album will be a bit heavier, there will also be some great ballads.
Don’t have any Jim Crean yet? Pick up his Greatest Hits to catch up.
4.5/5 stars
mikeladano.com 
I had no idea that Mike Trampoline sang with Jim “Peachy” Crean.
Hungry
Baby, baby, make me fries
Let me know that they’re deep fried
‘Cause I don’t wanna eat alone tonight
Pick me some doughnut holes
Let blue cheese be all my own
Just bake me pastries, through the night
Baby break out the bananas
Your shish kebab’s are great!
Boil up, one thousand eggs!
‘Cause I’m Hungry! Yes I’m Hungry! Hungry! Hungry for your snacks!
Keep your oven runnin’ high
When you put my ham inside
Just hold the mayo on my loaded sub
Show me that your dressing’s light
And bake me apple pie tonight
Broil the burgers, and let the bacon fry
‘Cause the turkey needs some glazin’
This salsa’s much too mild
Some jalapeno would really make me smile
‘Cause I’m Hungry! Yes I’m Hungry! Hungry! Hungry for your snacks!
‘Cause your stew is wild
The rolls are in a pile
Needin’ barbecue!
On the grill is swine!
Pulled pork sliced fine
The calorie’s aren’t light!
[Solo]
Keep your oven runnin’ high
When you put my ham inside
Just hold the mayo on my loaded sub
Baby bake up some potatoes
Hand feed me all the grapes
You boil up, one hearty sauté
‘Cause I’m Hungry! Hungry! Yes I’m Hungry! Hungry for your snacks!
And I really want a tofu!
Hungry! Yes I’m Hungry! Hungry! Hungry for your snacks!
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Cheddar Bites (Lonely Nights)
A hungry girl’s standing in the line
At a supermarket queue at 3
And she’s craving, some food for a frown
‘Cause she lost her recipe to the chili that makes her fart
Now it’s far away, so her bowels don’t whirl
Now she’s searchin’ for some food
Overeating, makes her wide
With her cheddar bites, cheddar bites
And tater tots to spare
With her cheddar bites, cheddar bites
And steak cooked medium rare
Baby you fry some fries, but the grease just makes it worse
‘Cause cholesterol can ruin your day
So baby hold on to your heart, when you get high blood pressure
‘Cause at a buffet you can take, what you wa-ant!
Now she’s searchin’ for some food
Overeating, makes you wide
With her cheddar bites, cheddar bites
And tater tots to spare
With her cheddar bites, cheddar bites
And steak cooked medium rare
Somewhere in the night, there’s a little cry
A girl that says, serve me fries, a shake, and I’ll be there
But if there’s someone here who has glazed ham
Someone that has cooked it by hand, served fresh tonight
She cries for those cheddar bites, cheddar bites
And tater tots to spare
With her cheddar bites, cheddar bites
And steak cooked medium rare
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Make Me Lunch (Don’t Give Up)
Are you tired, of working hard to dine?
So distasteful, and your palette cries
For some flavor, Italian would be good
You should make me, lots of tasty food
My stomach’s driving me crazy
Hunger’s on my mind, woah yeah
Make me lunch, make me lunch
Burnt ends and crust
Make me lunch, make me lunch
In advance, thanks a bunch
Fresh tomatoes, you can never have enough
Oh so delicious, my tummy’s filling up
And the chopped lamb, is delectable and warm
Oh, this really has become flavor town galore
This porridge has no lumps
And the pasta’s divine, woah yeah
Make me lunch, make me lunch
Burnt ends and crust
Make me lunch, make me lunch
In advance, thanks a bunch
Make me lunch, woah yeah, make me lunch, woa-oah yeah!
Would you please make me lunch?
Make me lunch! You can do it! Make me lunch! You can fix me somethin’ nice!
Make me lunch! You can bake it! Make me lunch! Or you can deep fry
Make me lunch! Make me lunch. Make me lunch! Please make me lunch!
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Eating a Muffin
Oh boil some tea, and heat the oven right
A chocolate muffin, is the way I dine
If you want a good deal, I can get you one
‘Cause everyone knows, that they’re really cheap, oh yeah
If you eat more than two, they’ll make you real fat too
Your button’s gonna pop, you never wanna stop
Eating a muffin, eating a muffin
Late night snack, baking’s not hard
I don’t care what my doctor says
‘Cause all that matters, is how good they taste, oh yeah
For 2 dollars down you get a hell of a bite
Your button’s gonna pop, you never wanna stop
Eating a muffin, eating a muffin
I wonder why, they’re never fried
I wonder why, they’re never fried
Eating a muffin, eating a muffin
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I am interested to see how the Vinnie thing turns out. I hope better than what I expect.
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I’m not familiar with that goo goo dolls song – nice to see their fellow Buffalonian giving them a shout out though!
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I’ll need this Hits set, ‘cos when I read the title I thought “who?” Sorry, Mr. Crean. No offense intended, but I often come here to Lebrain’s and learn new-to-me things!
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