The remaster of Twisted Sister’s 1983’s You Can’t Stop Rock ‘N’ Roll delivers the original 13 tunes with a great, deep mix. Twisted Sister’s second full-length album — and first major label release — this is the record that first put the band on MTV before 1984’s Stay Hungry took the airwaves by storm. For many fans, You Can’t Stop Rock ‘N’ Roll is the definitive Twisted Sister “metal” album with one little power ballad to make the girls scream.
The low and menacing “The Kids Are Back” is a very heavy opener with a singable chorus, while the grand riffery of “Like A Knife In The Back” follows with singer Dee Snider delivering his best controlled vocal. “I Am (I’m Me)” has a slight 50s feel with a mocking chorus in that usual Twisted Sister championing a-life-of-individuality lyric. “The Power and The Glory” shucks with some great bass from Mark Mendoza and another excellent Snider vocal.
Of course, there are those killer metal tunes like “We’re Gonna Make It” and “I’ll Take You Alive,” punctuated with high-end riffs with the band doing their best Judas Priest. Twisted Sister is positively alive on “I’ve Had Enough,” maybe the best tune on the whole record. As is evident on this one, as well as all the others, drummer A.J. Pero is a monster!
The obligatory double-guitar lead on “You’re Not Alone (Suzette’s Song)” is a jangly affair with Snider being as sweet as he can. As a power ballad, it hits all the right spots. The three bonus tracks are all quite heavy.
There’s the forgettable “One Man Woman,” the slightly strutting “Four Barrel Heart Of Love” (sounding a lot like Kiss) and the blistering, speedy “Feel The Power.” Altogether, You Can Stop Rock ‘N’ Roll still holds up pretty well as a true head-banging delight from “The Iron Men of Rock and Roll” — Twisted Sister!
~ Ralph Greco, Jr.
