Skid Row
Skid Row · 1989
39 min · 11 tracks · heavy metal
A raucous blend of glam metal and hard rock fueled by anthemic choruses and gritty, youthful defiance.
Top tracks — play these first
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18 and Life — This track tells a poignant story of a young man's tragic downfall, showcasing powerful storytelling coupled with memorable melodies that resonate deeply.
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Youth Gone Wild — An anthem of teenage rebellion, this song captures the spirit of a generation seeking freedom, making it an enduring favorite at live shows.
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I Remember You — A heartfelt ballad that balances vulnerability with melodic strength, this track highlights the band's softer side while still appealing to their rock roots.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong anthemic choruses and varied tempos, marking it as a solid entry in the glam metal genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track, 'Big Guns', and maintains a fast tempo for the first half before introducing slower ballads like 'I Remember You'.
- Choruses are often anthemic, featuring layered vocals that invite listener participation, particularly in tracks like 'Youth Gone Wild'.
- Several songs incorporate guitar solos that are prominent and melodic, contributing to the overall glam metal sound.
- The last track, 'Midnight / Tornado', combines two distinct musical ideas, creating a dynamic conclusion that shifts from a ballad to a more aggressive tone.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent energy levels
- short, punchy listening sessions
- anthemic sing-along moments
- dynamic emotional journeys
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 24, 1989, Skid Row's self-titled debut album marked the band's entry into the heavy metal scene after forming in 1986. This album came shortly after their successful EP 'Skid Row' in 1988, setting the stage for their rise to fame in the late '80s with a sound that defined the era.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Pantera· Guns N' Roses· Alice in Chains
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Big Guns 3:37
- 2 Sweet Little Sister 3:09
- 3 Can't Stand the Heartache 3:24
- 4 Piece of Me 2:48
- 5 18 and Life 3:51
- 6 Rattlesnake Shake 3:09
- 7 Youth Gone Wild 3:18
- 8 Here I Am 3:09
- 9 Makin' a Mess 3:38
- 10 I Remember You 5:14
- 11 Midnight / Tornado 4:18
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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