3000th POST!
IMPELLITTERI – Stand In Line (1988 Relativity)
There was a time when I’d buy any “supergroup” with members that I knew. Impellitteri had three: Graham Bonnet (Rainbow – vocals), Chuck Wright (Quiet Riot – bass) and Pat Torpey (Mr. Big – drums). This release on Relativity records is basically a showcase for guitarist Chris Impellitteri, and unfortunately that’s exactly what it sounds like. In the credits, Chris states “I promise that my guitar solos will only get faster”. That should tell you everything you need to know about Stand in Line.
Sounding indistinguishable from an Yngwie album, the title track goes first. It boasts some pretty mean Graham Bonnet vocals, but the song sounds exactly like Malmsteen to a “tee”. And it’s one of the best songs. The star is actually Pat Torpey (rest in peace, rock soldier) who rarely got to drum so heavy.
A couple misguided covers don’t do this album any favours. The new version of “Since You Been Gone” metalizes the Rainbow original, and it can’t stand up under the weight. (Interesting note: this track features Randy Rand from Autograph on bass.) It’s too stiff, too schooled, too…supergroup-y. Same with “Over the Rainbow”, which has some beautiful runs, but is otherwise overplayed. Squealing solos don’t compensate for Ritchie Blackmore, or a tight band.
Highlights: “Stand In Line”, “Tonight I Fly”.
Turds: “White and Perfect”, a song about colonialism!
Credit where it’s due: Chuck Wright plays some unison lines in sync with Chris Impellitteri, showing off abilities that he doesn’t often exploit. Likewise with Pat Torpey. Unfortunately Stand in Line is too generic (if you can call “Yngwie” an actual genre), and there’s already one neo-classical shredder on the top of the pile. Impellitteri spices his playing up with some Van Halen-esque tricks, but all I can hear is Yngwie, and you will too, right down to the production. Most of the pleasure derived from this album is courtesy of Graham Bonnet, but chances are you already own this if you’re a Bonnet obsessive-compulsive!
2/5 stars
Side note: This CD was salvaged by me, as it had been close to ruined by a house fire! Somebody sold me his stinky CD collection, many of which were scorched. The smell (burned paper and plastic) was unholy. This was one of the lesser-destroyed albums, but you can still see some browning on the top edge of the inside cover, where the smoke and heat got to it. With a lot of effort and gentle cleaning products, I eliminated of the smell and most of the stains.
mikeladano.com 
Mother of God, Pat Torpey (RIP) looks just like Emilio Estevez in that inner sleeve photo. Too bad Emilio didn’t get the same attention as his younger brother Charlie Sheen, because Emilio is a much better actor. But neither of them are as good as their dad. Repo Man is an all time classic though. Harry Dean Stanton (RIP) was a national treasure.
Never heard this CD, but Phil Wolfe holding that keyboard thinking he’s a badass makes me want to steer clear. Looks nauseatingly ’80s. Love the “shredder’s wet dream” tag though.
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Oh LeBrain has had some great tags over the years.
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I bet I have this one. That’s how big of a impression it made. Probably only have listened to it twice.
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Alright, I saw this in adds and never took the bait. Too bad its lackluster as he had the push from the label and a pretty decent band as well!
But yeah even back in 88 everyone realized the world only needed one Yngwie! Kinda funny these x -Blackmore singers working with shredders in 88. Chris with Bonnet and Yngwie with Turner!
Great post and thanks for letting me pick.
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Did we ever really need an Yngwie??/
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Yes, just listen to any of the first 3 albums, the first 2 have Soto singing. Those are my favorites but I have a soft spot for Turner since I’m a fan of Rainbow. Fire and Ice seems to be high on the list too but I haven’t cracked that one yet but I keep trying. Just go and have listen to the first 3 and then we can talk Yngwie.
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I’ll give you those three, plus anything with Soto is fine by me!!
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Ha in the year 2019, nope? Back in the mid to late 80’s coked-up record suits were probably on the prowl for the next Yngwie!
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I have heard of them, but never listened and after this description…never will. Thanks for saving me some time.
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‘White & Perfect’ – you have to be shitting me?!
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I honestly stopped reading for a few minutes when I read that myself. A ‘what-the-actual-fuck’ type stop.
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Agree with this one Mike, nothing essential here.
Although they did come into their own soon after. 92’s Grin And Bear It was quite popular with their fans and their 1994 album Answer To The Master was absolutely brilliant and well worth yer time if you stumble across that one. A little less Malmy and a little more PowerMetal…
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Never heard of this guy. Even when some pals talk guitar shredders, I can’t say I’ve ever heard them mention this guys name. A hard pass from me.
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