Shane’s Rock Challenge: Montrose – 1973 – Montrose

Shane’s Music Challenge: Montrose – 1973 – Montrose
10 /10

Ronnie Montrose redefined the hard rock landscape with his eponymous band’s debut
album – and everyone from Van Halen and Tesla to Iron Maiden to Stiff Little Fingers was listening.

Just listen to the way he plays his guitar on opener Rock The Nation! The man is possessed…

Bad Motor Scooter is a perfect rock song: timeless, immediate, once heard – never forgotten. The same goes for Rock Candy, Sammy Hager letting rip on his first album as well. Unbeatable.

That’s not all though – Space Station #5 blends heavy metal and Sci Fi, and you bet your sweet butt Iron Maiden were listening!! They even covered the song for a b-side in the 80’s.

I Don’t Want It and Make It Last pale in comparison to these winners, but truth is they’d be treasured on any lesser album, likewise their modern rock update of jump blues jammer Good Rockin’ Tonight and One Thing On My Mind. Sammy singing about Sex? Q’uelle Surprise.

Voted #4 Best Metal Album Of All Time by Kerrang! Magazine in 1989, Montrose is truly essential.

By Shane Pinnegar

Category: Shane's Rock Challenge