Slamdunk by Henry Lee Summer (CD, Aug-1993, Epic Associated)

Album Features
UPC:	074645272122
Artist:	Henry Lee Summer
Format:	CD
Release Year:	1993
Record Label:	Epic Associated
Genre:	Rock & Pop

Track Listing
1. Ain't That Love
2. I Want You
3. Powder Burns
4. Cry Little Sister
5. Thinkin' About It
6. Wherever Would I Be
7. I Play For Keeps
8. Boys and Girls Are Doin' It, The
9. Sweet Lovin' Thang
10. Drivin' Me Crazy
11. Forever Just Ain't What It Used to Be
12. Why Me
13. Running Out of Time

Details
Producer:	Henry Lee Summer
Distributor:	Sony Music Distribution (
Recording Type:	Studio
Recording Mode:	Stereo
SPAR Code:	n/a

Album Notes
A Henry Lee Summer album in 1993 could only be a fish out of water. A slick Bryan Adams/Michael Stanley-style heartland rocker who holds the dubious and undisputed title of "all-time most popular entertainer in Indiana," Summer in some ways represents the antithesis of alternative rock and grunge even more than the hair metal bands. Though possessing a powerhouse sandpaper voice that at times sounds strikingly like the great Steve Marriott, the feathered mullet-sporting singer has always unfortunately seemed to fall just outside of the "still considered cool" zone inhabited by stylistically similar artists like Bob Seger and John Mellencamp. Slamdunk is fairly typical Henry Lee, with it's huge L.A.-type production, fist-pounding rockers, sensitive Michael Bolton-esque ballads, and over-emotive vocals. Though he's obviously got loads of talent, it's almost as if the guy takes all the best elements of Meat Loaf, the Faces, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, puts them all in a blender (bought at Wal-Mart), and then chops and dices every last ounce of flavor and originality out of them. In the end, the whole thing comes out just as bland as a Hardees breakfast menu. It's a real shame, 'cause Henry Lee Summer truly knows how to rock out (a few tunes on Slamdunk are pretty ferocious, especially "The Boys and Girls Are Doin' It"). It would be interesting to see what he could do with a set of less cliché-ridden tunes and a band that isn't afraid to make a few mistakes. ~ Pemberton Roach