"Waiting for the Taking" is a great opener. A fast-paced and high-energy tune, my only real complaint is that the guitars are a little low in the mix. Late vocalist Guy Speranza sounds great, a very clean and smooth voice, had he chosen, a career in pop music would have certainly worked for him. The solos are electrifying, and a tight rhythm section rounds out a great track about grabbing life by the horns, carpe diem in musica. Next up is "49er". A great riff kicks off the track, and Speranza sounds phenomenal here, a shame that he did not continue his career in music after the first couple Riot LPs. The influence of the band on both power metal and speed metal can be heard in this track, a very large and influential sound. A great lyric also tells the tale of American pioneers, undertaking "manifest destiny" in the American West. A great song.
"Kick Down The Wall" is a great pissed off song about rock and roll rebellion. Reale provides another smokin riff, which leads into a very catchy chorus that was clearly ripped off by Twisted Sister on nearly all of their albums at least once. A little repetitive, but a great f-ing song, a true metal anthem of the golden age of metal. "Born To Be Wild" is a totally unnecessary cover of the Steppenwolf original. Not a bad cover, but it kind of disrupts of originality and tone of the album, unless you really love "Born To Be Wild" and haven't heard enough of it in your life, skip it. "Narita" closes out the album. An instrumental, the song is very European-sounding, at least in retrospect. The twin leads and thundering drums would have a profound influence of the European metal scene that would come to fruition during the 1980s and 1990s. I like the song, but I have never been a huge fan of instrumentals. However, great guitar work by Reale and guitarist Rick Ventura.
"Here We Come Again" opens side 2 of the LP. A more traditional rock song, its sound is firmly rooted in the 1970s. Progressive sections puncture the song, but its one of Riot's most traditional songs. The song actually reminds me of Rush, specifically their first album. A great song, very fast and hard, with a great solo, thundering drumming, and a element of complexity that rivals Rush. "Do It Up" continues the all-out rock barrage on this very high-energy album. The most punk-like song on the album, the influence of said genre can be somewhat heard on this track. However, the song again blends elements of progressive musicality into a power-chord rocker, something very hard to do. The lyrics are slightly laughable and cliche, but its a fun rock and roll song, we don't need lyrically depth when a band rocks this hard, a great riff and vocal from Speranza. Countless bands would rip off Speranza's sound during the glam metal era, and his vocal influence can be heard all over this album.
"Hot For Love" is my favorite track on the album, a bona-fide classic. Speranza vocal sends shivers down your spine, a incredible persona and presence. One can clearly hear the influence of the song on one Blackie Lawless, as well as Motley Crue. In fact, I would go as far to say that the whole late 1970s and early 80s L.A. rock scene basically plagiarized Riot in many ways. The break-down of the song features simulated sex sounds, very edgy for 1979, something that Guns and Roses would also later rip off. Over the groaning, a heavy and thundering riff provides the perfect accompaniment for the lusty sounds. An amazing track. Amazing. "White Rock" is one of the my least favorite tracks on the album. A bit too progressive musically for its lyrical content and classic rock character. A great solo, but not a fan of progressive transitions in between the Ramones-like punky riff. The album closes with "Road Racin'". Very fast, the song could certainly be seen an influence of speed metal, as many have cited. It reminds me of the road songs of Judas Priest, with a uniquely American character, replacing motorcycle cruisin with muscle-car driving. A great track, it reflects the intensity and danger of speeding down the highway at break-neck speeds. A stellar solo caps off a great album.
"Narita" is an amazing album. If you like hard rock or metal, there is no reason that you should not own this album. Sadly, the band is no longer active due to the death of only-constant member Mark Reale in 2012. I believe the band never achieved the level of fame that it deserved during their career, perhaps a victim of their progressive tendencies. In any case, they leave behind a long and rich discography, of which Narita is a shinning member. Long live Riot!
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