State of Shock
Ted Nugent · 1979
41 min · 10 tracks · hard rock
A high-octane display of hard rock that merges gritty guitar riffs with Nugent's signature raw energy and rebellious spirit.
Top tracks — play these first
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Paralyzed Start here — This track opens the album with an infectious energy, showcasing Nugent's powerful guitar work and setting the tone for the record's hard-rocking vibe.
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State of Shock — The title track embodies the album's themes of rebellion and defiance, featuring a catchy chorus that highlights Nugent’s knack for creating memorable anthems.
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Satisfied — This song stands out with its melodic hooks and engaging lyrics, demonstrating Nugent’s ability to blend hard rock with accessible songwriting.
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Take It or Leave It — With its driving beat and assertive lyrics, this track captures Nugent’s brash persona, making it a quintessential example of his hard rock style.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid hard rock elements but lacks standout compositions that elevate it beyond its peers.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature driving guitar riffs and high-energy vocals, establishing a consistent tempo before the fourth track introduces a slower pace.
- Several songs incorporate call-and-response vocal patterns, enhancing the energetic feel of the album.
- The last two tracks shift towards a more melodic approach, contrasting with the earlier hard-hitting songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- 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
Known within its scene. 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 mid-tempo energy
- high-energy sing-alongs
- hard-hitting riffs throughout
- late-night driving soundtrack
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slow sounds
- seek intricate musical complexity
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Solidified Nugent's status in hard rock, following his earlier successes.
- Themes
- American bravado· political defiance· rock 'n' roll rebellion
- Career context
- Released on May 1, 1979, 'State of Shock' was Ted Nugent's fifth studio album, following the commercial success of 'Cat Scratch Fever' in 1976. By this point in his career, Nugent had established himself as a leading figure in hard rock, known for his flamboyant stage presence and politically charged lyrics.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Aerosmith· Alice Cooper· Kiss
Tracklist
- 1 Paralyzed Start here 4:12
- 2 Take It or Leave It 4:09
- 3 Alone 5:22
- 4 It Don’t Matter 3:11
- 5 State of Shock 3:25
- 6 I Want to Tell You 4:55
- 7 Satisfied 5:51
- 8 Bite Down Hard 3:23
- 9 Snake Charmer 3:21
- 10 Saddle Sore 3:15
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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