ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, SEPT. 2, 1983
By Steve Newton
The opening track, “Don’t’ Say Make Me”, comes off nice ‘n’ raunchy, with a heavy British sound and a screaming Steve Shelski solo that just fits. But things go sour quick on Coney Hatch’s second album.
The repetition and limpness of the second song, “Shake It”, is totally uncalled for, and if it weren’t for the next tune, “FIrst Time For Everything”, this LP would be a lot worse for wear.
But “First Time” is the album’s best cut. Opening with a searing Shelski solo and then swinging in more subtle chording and a story of lost love, the song brings a much-wanted change from the headbanging boogie that dominates the album–particularly on Side Two and songs like “Too Far Gone” and “Fallen Angel”.
Not that there’s anything wrong with “headbanging boogie”, for it’s definitely a lot of fun. I just think Coney Hatch did a much better job with it on their Kim Mitchell-produced debut of last year. In comparison, Outa Hand sounds cleaner, but also more run-of-the-mill.