Despite their long-haired, pretty-boy image and the occasional hot guitar solo,
Autograph
was one of the more mainstream
hard rock
bands associated with the L.A.
metal
scene. And though it spawned only one hit (the
MTV
favorite
"Turn Up the Radio"
), their 1984 debut,
Sign in Please
, is a solid collection of hook-heavy tunes. Singer
Steve Plunkett
has a knack for catchy choruses. He leads the band through a number of memorable melodic rockers, among which
"Send Her to Me,"
"Cloud 10,"
and
"Friday"
are clear standouts.
"In the Night"
is a top-notch power
ballad
, and while puerile frat-house anthems like
"Night Teen & Non-Stop"
"My Girlfriend's Boyfriend Isn't Me"
come off rather forced, the band excels at classy, mid-paced rockers such as
"Thrill of Love"
"All I'm Gonna Take."
Anyone expecting ridiculous aggression should stick with
Moetley Cruee
, but for those who prefer a sleeker
sound in the vein of
Night Ranger
, this album will certainly satisfy. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia