Ted Nugent's sophomore release for Atlantic makes a classic case in point for an artist trying to catch up to the times and being a half-step behind. On Penetrator, the Nuge enlisted two-thirds of Billy Squier's backup band, which at one time included longtime Squier keyboard player Alan St. John and veteran drummer Bobby Chouinard. Nugent also hired future Bad Company frontman Brian Howe to handle vocal duties along with Doors bassist Doug Lubahn. Together, this odd mix of arena rockers would enter New York's Power Station to cut basic tracks for what would emerge to be one of Nugent's most underwhelming releases. The first gaping problem lies with Penetrator's production itself. Arena rocker aficionados take note: the album clearly emulates the production of Billy Squier's '80s albums. The rhythm tracks are virtual blueprints for Squier's Emotions in Motion and Signs of Life, which, ironically, was released the same year as Penetrator. Producer Ashley Howe's dated production not only makes relistening to this record difficult, it also takes away from what could have been a decent set of songs. The Nugent aesthetic of Nugent is dead and buried, albeit replaced by the cotton-candy arena schlock of "Tied Up in Love," "Knockin' at Your Door," and "Thunder Thighs" (all of which had potential, but are instead reduced to an ill-advised keyboard-laden smorgasbord that wouldn't have sounded out of place on a bad Survivor record). Another potential rocker, "Lean Mean R&R Machine," and the melancholic ballad "Take Me Home" also fall short. Curiously, the ensuing tour would see Nugent playing mid-sized theaters with vocalist Brian Howe once again at the helm. In a live setting, these songs (minus the studio mucky muck) would fit neatly into a set that highlighted Nugent's past hits.
[Ofrecido] Ted Nugent - Penetrator (master series)(2001)
