Lipstick - Glam from Nashville, Tennessee

A couple weeks ago I received a promo CD of the self-titled debut full length of Lipstick.  Musically, the group, as one might imagine, draws heavily from the eighties with a strong melodic to hair to glam metal basis but with some Sunset Strip sleaze hard rock thrown in.  Lipstick, is also not to be pigeonholed in that you will also find some seventies influences to their music as well.

The groups primary members vocalist Greg Troyan and bassist Stephen Smith are believers.  A song such as "I Want The World To Know" is reflective of their faith:

I want the world to know I've been through hell
But I never lost my faith in God

It is not a Christian album though, in that lyrics also touch upon boy-girl relationship themes or fun rock n' roll songs.

What cannot be denied is the groups ability to write a song with a catchy hook, such as on "We're Here To Rock You": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IZKqJQc24E

Following is a link to the groups website: http://www.lipstickgeneration.com/

Hey, not bad at all! Sounds like a demo but very well done. Only 5 bucks for the full length CD.

While maybe not a "Christian" project per se, even the title track does point to the fact that they are believers.

As far as production goes, I don't hear anything necessarily demo-ish.  If this style of music is polished too much, it doesn't come off with the right attitude.  The rawness here is probably intentional.  I ordered the CD.

Disclaimer:  No disrespect is intended in the following post.

May I ask what you all find appealing about this release?  To me the music is very trite and boring.  The vocals, while not awful, are not good.  I didn't make it through a whole song.  So I'm curious as to what is appealing to you about it that would make you instantly pick it up?

I'm asking this question in all seriousness and sincerity.  Sometimes I feel like an odd duck around here.

I only listened to that one track and I thought the music was alright (not amazing), but something about the vocals just left me completely flat.  It might not help that when I think of the band "Lipstick" I think of an 80's Seattle glam/metal band that sounded much tighter (you can hear what they sounded like below).

I just enjoy it Xid, just my style of music. I have a friend who is a musician in Nashville (he plays drums for a band called Vahalla) and I asked him about them this morning. He said he is friends with the guy who played drums on the release. He said the two guys have problems keeping members and they have several side projects going on. 

But i like what I heard based on the video link above.

Fair enough.  Music enjoyment is arbitrary and is certainly in the ear of the beholder.  There just have been times where I've wondered who likes such and such and why, so I thought I would ask the question.

Xid wrote:

Fair enough.  Music enjoyment is arbitrary and is certainly in the ear of the beholder.  There just have been times where I've wondered who likes such and such and why, so I thought I would ask the question.

You could say I am pretty narrow-minded when it comes to listening to music. My favorite style over all is a classic rock sound (Like Styx, Journey, REO Speedwagon, Queen, Boston, Van Halen, etc). But I also like any type of 80's music whether it be Hall & Oates, Huey Lewis & The News, The Knack, Mr. Mister, The Fixx, etc.... But this also includes 80's metal like Maiden, GNR, Night Ranger, Warrant, Slaughter, Skid Row. I don't listen to much past 1995 or so unless it is new music from a classic band. 

When it comes to Christian Music I am even more narrow-minded. I listen to Christian Metal and nothing else (and lately the only exception would be Neal Morse or John Schlitt). And the Christian Metal I listen to is all 80's bands, including their new releases. I will check out a new band if they have that classic sound (Chaotic Resemblence) but I am just not interested in CCM or Modern Christian Rock in any form. This Lipstick band, while not great, is right up my alley. 

Right now I am really enjoying the new release from FM. They have a great, classic sound. (Edit: FM is not a Christian band but I enjoy their new release)

It should be noted that the band in the video I posted with the Lipstick-from-Seattle, and the FM video Mike posted are not at all Christian bands.

Cold Hearted is decent song.  I really dig the opening riff overall.

I wish there were more bands out there in the Christian scene like the Lipstick band that Gary posted and FM.  Sadly, there aren't many releases like that anymore.

Quote :

May I ask what you all find appealing about this release?  To me the music is very trite and boring.  The vocals, while not awful, are not good.  I didn't make it through a whole song.  So I'm curious as to what is appealing to you about it that would make you instantly pick it up?

A big part of it for me was just the raw energy with this for me.  Sure, it isn't the strongest singer here or even the most intricate guitar or drum parts, but its fun.  I love fun music.  I also love the fact that it isn't power metal which is about all we get anymore if it isn't some sort of "core" band.  In today's scene, this is different.  I like different.

Staybrite wrote:

It should be noted that the band in the video I posted with the Lipstick-from-Seattle, and the FM video Mike posted are not at all Christian bands.

Correct, I should have pointed it out. FM are a secular 80's band that are still recording music in the classic style which I enjoy.

Thanks for the answers to my question.  It's enlightening!

Quote :

A big part of it for me was just the raw energy with this for me.  Sure, it isn't the strongest singer here or even the most intricate guitar or drum parts, but its fun.  I love fun music.  I also love the fact that it isn't power metal which is about all we get anymore if it isn't some sort of "core" band.  In today's scene, this is different.  I like different.

This sums up a lot of my feelings in regards to Lipstick.  I find the bands energy to be refreshing, plus they know how to write a song with a BIG hook.  Yes, much of their material is of the basic verse-chorus-verse variety (without coming across crude or simplistic), but that is where the groups charm lies- that infectious joining of all out energy and catchy melodies.

I feel the link to the track I posted embodies this, but so does other cuts off the album such as "I Like The Way I Rock", "Having Fun" and "Rock N Roll Forever".  Just plain good, fun melodic hard rock songs.

I would also like to point out the group does get a bit progressive at times, such as on eight minute cuts "Merle" and "The Flash".  Latter is awesome with its all out aggression and four minute instrumental section in the middle.  I forgot to point out that Lipstick features a very talented guitarist in Billy Morris, who used to be with both Warrant and Quiet Riot.

I found the vocals to grow on me with repeat listen- and certainly fit the music.  I would like to encourage everyone to give the group a second chance: either listen to "We're Here To Rock You" a couple more times or listen to some of the groups other cuts at YouTube.

Also, I did not intend to open a can of worms either because I found another thread about Lipstick in the Warped Drive section, which I am off to add my thoughts...

No can of worms here either. (See warped thread)

We have worms?  Cool!  We're going fishing!!!

Man, I almost feel like Wile E. Coyote!  I ordered the Lipstick CD yesterday and got it today!  I know--Nashville isn't that far away.  However, it almost feels like the mail delivery when the ol' coyote ordered from the Acme Co. in Walla Walla, Washington and got instant delivery.

I haven't had the chance to listen to it yet, but I will give you my thoughts on it shortly.  All I can say right now is that the disc is round.  LOL

alldatndensum wrote:

Man, I almost feel like Wile E. Coyote!  I ordered the Lipstick CD yesterday and got it today!  I know--Nashville isn't that far away.  However, it almost feels like the mail delivery when the ol' coyote ordered from the Acme Co. in Walla Walla, Washington and got instant delivery.

I haven't had the chance to listen to it yet, but I will give you my thoughts on it shortly.  All I can say right now is that the disc is round.  LOL

Wait, the Acme Co. is in Walla Walla?!?!   All this time I never knew they were in my back yard (so to speak)

alldatndensum wrote:

All I can say right now is that the disc is round.  LOL

What kind of sorcery is this?

My initial reaction is this:  the music is kickin'.  However, the lyrics are pure cheese.  I haven't decided if the band are that bad of lyricists or if this is intentional to be funny.

Here is the Angelic Warlord review: http://www.angelicwarlord.com/reviews/l/lipstick15.html

Because of some of the cheesy lyrics, I might have dropped this down a few percentage points.  However, we are fairly close in our thoughts on Lipstick and I find them enjoyable overall.  If you are looking for a meaningful rock worship moment or deep theological thought with pounding rhythms, this isn't it.  If you want a couple of fellow believers who have found a way to make fun music while still allowing their faith to shine through at times, then you should give this a 2nd listen.

Nothing wrong with some good cheese every now and then

You're right!  Itsa gouda!!!